CPSC20030
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Academic Year 2025/2026
Principles of Crop Science (CPSC20030)
Subject: : Crop Science
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 2 (Intermediate)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Tomás McCabe
Trimester: : Spring
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
Overview of crop production systems, concepts in crop production, consideration of the various factors involved in crop production and their effect on yield and quality. The module includes cereal crops, root crops and grassland. Areas covered on cereal and root crops include crop rotation, crop establishment methods, crop nutrition and crop protection. In grassland the areas covered include grazing establishment and management and forage conservation and forage quality. Aspects of crop quality and improvement are also outlined for some crops.
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to: Understand crop production; Compare and contrast production practices in intensive and low-input systems; Appraise the role of agrochemicals in crop production; Understand the principles of crop nutrition and fertilisation; Recognise key aspects of crop quality; Identify the seasonality of grass growth in Ireland; Recognise the difference in grassland management across enterprises; Understand grass conservation to deal with surpluses/deficits.
Indicative Module Content:
Crop rotations and crop establishment practices\ Production practices in intensive and low-input crop production systems\ Seeding rates and Sowing dates to optimise crop output \ Crop protection form weeds pests and diseases and the role of agrochemicals and cultural practices\ The principles of crop nutrition and fertilisation in crop yields and quality\ The key aspects of crop quality specifically for malting barley and milling wheat\ Grassland production systems \ Study the seasonality of grass growth in Ireland\ The difference in grassland management across animal-based enterprises
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 24 |
| Specified Learning Activities | 20 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 60 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 104 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:\
This module is not suitable for Animal & Crop Production students.
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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 (In-person): End of Term Written Exam | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 70 | No |
| Individual Project: Scientific review project | Week 9 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 10 | No |
| Quizzes/Short Exercises: MCQ Exam 1 | Week 7 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 10 | No |
| Quizzes/Short Exercises: MCQ Exam 2 | Week 12 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 10 | No |
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Carry forward of passed components
No
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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?
Not yet recorded.
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Assoc Professor Bridget Lynch | 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 | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Thurs 11:00 - 11:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Tues 12:00 - 12:50 |