AESC40660
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=AESC40660&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
Plants, Roots and Productivity (AESC40660)
Subject: : Agricultural&Environmental Sci
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 4 (Masters)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Amal Kahla
Trimester: : Autumn
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
This module provides a detailed study into below-ground processes which influence the uptake of water and nutrients by plants. The module considers the acquisition of water and nutrients by plants in both agricultural and natural systems, and how plants interact with the soil environment. Consideration is given to understanding how roots are crucial to plant resource capture, and using this knowledge in improving crop productivity. The module will make clear why roots have been described as key to the second green revolution, and how the application of new methods and technologies for below-ground phenotyping of roots may hold the key meeting global food security challenges. The module is highly suitable for those with interests in plant physiology, horticulture, crop and environmental sciences.\ \ Aims: To provide a fundamental understanding of how water and nutrients are acquired by plants from the soil environment, and their influence on plant growth and development. By the end of the module, students should understand: (i) the pathways and mechanisms involved in the uptake, transport and use of water and nutrients; (ii) the impact of water and nutrient availability on plant growth and development and crop productivity; (iii) plant adaptive responses to water and nutrient stress; (iv) methods to study roots in the soil; (v) how knowledge of water and nutrient uptake by plants can be used to improve crop productivity and resource management.\
About this Module
Open All Close All
What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:\ - Describe how water and nutrients are acquired by plants from the soil.\ - Describe the root adaptations which enable plants to thrive in environments with limited or excess water and nutrients.\ - Explain how knowledge of water and nutrient uptake by plants can be used to improve crop productivity and resource management, and the phenotyping techniques used to do this.\ - Propose appropriate methods to study crop productivity through root growth and function\ \
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Autonomous Student Learning | 80 |
| Lectures | 24 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 104 |
\
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
lectures
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment: Root method | Week 11 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 40 | Yes |
| Exam (In-person): Examination: EOS written exam. 1 hour End of Trimester Exam | End of trimester Duration: 1 hr(s) | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 40 | Yes |
| Quizzes/Short Exercises: Examination: MCQ | Week 7 | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 20 | Yes |
\
Carry forward of passed components
Yes
\
What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Spring | No |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Feedback will be given on the assessment component of this module
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| 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.
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Tues 16:00 - 17:50 |