BSEN40510
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Academic Year 2025/2026
Precision Livestock Management (BSEN40510)
Subject: : Biosystems Engineering
College: : Engineering & Architecture
School: : Biosystems & Food Engineering
Level: : 4 (Masters)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Dimitrios Argyropoulos
Trimester: : Spring
Mode of Delivery: : Blended
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
This module examines the principles and theories that underpin the concept of precision livestock management as applied to domesticated farm animals (e.g., pigs, poultry and cattle). Students will be introduced to the concept of precision livestock farming and a toolbox of related technologies (sensors, networks, control systems) and logic (models, management rules) related to (i) intake and yield; (ii) welfare and stress; (iii) activity, behaviour and location; and (iv) management decisions. The technologies will be considered in the context of Irish, European and world agriculture, and how they can be put to use for gaining environmental and economic benefits for farmers.
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the module, students should be able to:\ - LO1: Reflect on fundamental concepts and principles of precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies.\ - LO2: Compare and contrast the functional components and their interconnection for an animal monitoring and control system.\ - LO3: Analyse and interpret data obtained from state-of-the-art and novel PLF systems.\ - LO4: Design your own PLF technology for smart dairy farming.\ - LO5: Evaluate the potential of specific PLF technologies to offer economic and environmental benefits to a livestock farm.
Indicative Module Content:
The module content is as follows:\ \ 1. Introduction to Precision Livestock Farming (PLF)\ - Basic principles, opportunities and challenges \ 2. Precision technology and sensors\ - Function, types, technical specifications, operation\ 3. Design of sustainable buildings for livestock production\ - Actuators for climate control in buildings for heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems\ 4. Emissions and sustainability of production buildings \ - PLF technology for reduction of environmental impact of animal production\ 5. Applications of Precision Livestock Farming Technologies \ - PLF product development: Lab, pilot scale and commercialization\ 6. PLF technology to improve animal welfare and health\ - Development of image and sound based systems\ 7. PLF technology to improve production efficiency\ - Precision livestock farming, automats and new technologies\ 8. Innovation in Precision Livestock Farming\ - Automation, digitisation and new technologies\ 9. Adoption of Precision Livestock Technologies in the dairy sector\ - Current status, availability, advantages, limitations, and barriers
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Specified Learning Activities | 28 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 60 |
| Lectures | 24 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 112 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
To get the maximum out of this module students should attend all lectures and complete all assignments, reports and presentations.
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Not applicable to this module.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam (Open Book): Class Test: An exam will take place at the end of the module | Week 12 | Graded | No | 60 | No |
| Assignment(Including Essay): Report on scientific and technical aspects of precision farming technology | Week 10 | Graded | No | 30 | No |
| Individual Project: Poster presentation of a selected precision farming technology | Week 11 | Graded | No | 10 | No |
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Carry forward of passed components
Yes
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What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Yes - 2 Hour |
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?
Individual feedback on final exam and report if requested.
Reading List
Precision technology and sensor applications for livestock farming and companion animals by E. Van Erp-Van der Kooij\ or\ Precision livestock farming applications: Making sense of sensors to support farm management by Ilan Halachmi\
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 | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 33 | Mon 11:00 - 12:50 |