# AESC40160

**Source**: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=AESC40160&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026
**Parent**: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=ESS1&AUDIENCE=

Academic Year 2025/2026

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#### Research Project (AESC) (AESC40160)

Subject:
:   Agricultural&Environmental Sci

College:
:   Health & Agricultural Sciences

School:
:   Agriculture & Food Science

Level:
:   4 (Masters)

Credits:
:   15

Module Coordinator:
:   Professor Olaf Schmidt

Trimester:
:   Spring

Mode of Delivery:
:   On Campus

Internship Module:
:   No

Module Type:
:   Research/Capstone Module

How will I be graded?
:   Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

In this final year capstone module for the B.Agr.Sc. programme in Agric-environmental Sciences, students select, plan, design, conduct and report a research project, related to the agri-environment, under the supervision of an academic staff member. The students report and explain the background, objectives, methods, results, interpretations and also applications/implications of their research in a thesis.

## About this Module

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### What will I learn?

###### Learning Outcomes:

- Develop skills and competence to synthesise scientific information.\
- Understand and appreciate the importance of the scientific method and experimental design in answering specific questions.\
- Develop organisational, technical and problem-solving abilities in the context of a scientific research project.\
- Ability to apply basic data description and analysis tools.\
- Achievement in written and oral communication skills.\
- Understand the importance of self motivation, application and time management.

###### Indicative Module Content:

Students identify an individual project from a list of suitable topics and wider research areas provided by the module coordinator, following consultation with the selected supervisor. During the designated period students are expected to devote themselves to their projects (subject to other programme requirements). Students must familiarise themselves with the rules of the laboratory and with health and safety practices. Students will maintain regular contact with their supervisor who will assist by providing practical guidance and advice on the research planning and execution, as well as by reading and commenting on presentation slides and written work.

### How will I learn?

###### Student Effort Hours:

| Student Effort Type | Hours |
| --- | --- |
| Lectures | 2 |
| Seminar (or Webinar) | 10 |
| Computer Aided Lab | 2 |
| Project Supervision | 14 |
| Specified Learning Activities | 280 |
|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 308 |

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###### Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

Students select, plan, design, conduct and write up a research project under the supervision of an academic staff member. Overall guidance and instructions are provided by the module coordinator. For field work and travel, students normally have to work in pairs or groups.\
Formal teaching contacts are limited to organisational sessions with the Module Coordinator and a small number of computer-based practical sessions on data handling, graphing and analysis.

### Am I eligible to take this module?

###### Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

\

###### Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Not applicable to this module.
\
 \

### How will I be assessed?

###### Assessment Strategy

| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Participation in Learning Activities: An in-class oral presention | Week 10 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 10 | No |
| Participation in Learning Activities: The Supervisor's grade component, based on continuous assessment of the student's engagement, initiative and own contribution to the project. Includes an initial Research Plan due in Week 2. | Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 | Graded | No | 20 | No |
| Thesis/Dissertation: An undergraduate thesis, for a capstone module (15 ECTS) | Week 12 | Graded | No | 70 | No |

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###### Carry forward of passed components

Yes

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### What happens if I fail?

| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
| --- | --- |
| Summer | No |

*Please see [Student Jargon Buster](https://www.ucd.ie/students/services/ucdstudentjargonbuster/) for more information about remediation types and timing.* \

### Assessment feedback

###### Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment\
• Self-assessment activities\

###### How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual and class feedback is given on oral presenations.
Self-assessment is encouraged during the project duration, with reference to the grading scheme used for the Supervisor's grade and report.

### Associated Staff

| Name | Role |
| --- | --- |
| Dr Simon Hodge | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Amal Kahla | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |

### When is this module offered?

**Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.**

|  |  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Spring | Computer Aided Lab | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 21, 22 | Mon 10:00 - 11:50 |

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