HORT10030
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=HORT10030&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=UAS1&AUDIENCE=
Academic Year 2025/2026
Plant-based Diets (HORT10030)
Subject: : Horticulture
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 1 (Introductory)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Nikolaos Mastrodimos
Trimester: : Spring
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
Globally, people are shifting towards plant-based diets for health and climate reasons as they believe that human impact on the environment may be reduced by changing their dietary habits. In this module, we will discuss sustainable food production systems; plant-based proteins; benefits of increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds; temperate grown alternatives to tropically grown crops to reduce food miles; historical Irish wild crops with potential for reintroduction, and development of new plant-based foods from wild, under-exploited crop relatives.
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to discuss the following:\ • Impact of food choices on the environment\ • Exploring plant-based proteins\ • Increasing local production of plant-based foods including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds\ • Sustainable organic production methods\ • Alternative growing media\ • New developments in plant production systems including vertical farming, urban farms\ • Circular economy - waste to food, reducing carbon footprint of production\ • Development of new plant crops from wild relatives\
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 24 |
| Small Group | 24 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 52 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 100 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered through the UCD VLE system and will consist of:\ • Face-to-face lectures\ \
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Not applicable to this module.
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Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:\ FDSC30230 - Plant-based Foods &Ingredients\ \ \ \
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 trimester examination - scheduled. | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Graded | No | 60 | No |
| Exam (In-person): MCQ Classroom assessment - 1 hour exam | Week 7 | Graded | No | 40 | 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
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Not yet recorded.
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Aisling Reilly | 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 12:00 - 12:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Wed 12:00 - 12:50 |