CPSC20020
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Academic Year 2025/2026
Fundamentals of Arable Crop Production (CPSC20020)
Subject: : Crop Science
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 2 (Intermediate)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Gary Gillespie
Trimester: : Spring
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
\ This module is designed to give students an overview of the physiology and development of the main cereal crops grown in Ireland over the course of their life cycle using the BBCH scale. Factors affecting the development and growth of crops are also discussed. Students will be exposed to crop experimentation and trial design concepts.\ Arable cropping systems and crop rotations in Europe are compared and contrasted with world cropping systems. Key practices and innovations in crop farming worldwide are introduced including GM crops and no-till agriculture. Intensive cropping systems are outlined with input : output details. An introduction to plant breeding and crop carbon footprints are also discussed.
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module the student will be able to;\ - Understand of the genetics associated with crop/plant breeding. \ - Understand the different cropping techniques on a European and world level \ - Discuss the details of intensive high input-high output crop production practices.\ - Describe and discuss the development of cereal crops throughout the year.\ - Discuss advances in technology for crop production practices\ - Describe and discuss the factors that affect crop growth and yield.\ - Understand the core aspects of crop trials and experimentation practices.\
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 22 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 78 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 100 |
\
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The approaches to teaching and learning in CPSC20020 include: \ active/task-based & problem-based learning\ lectures\ reading of journal articles related to assignments\
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): An assignment will be covered in class which introduces the concept of experimentation and crop science. A scientific report will be written on an experiment related to an aspect of crop production | Week 8 | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 40 | No |
| Exam (In-person): This end of semester exam will consist of written questions. Topics will include growth factors, crop agronomy, crop lifecycles, etc. | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 50 | No |
| Exam (In-person): An in-class MCQ style exam on materials covered during lectures | Week 12 | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 10 | No |
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Carry forward of passed components
Yes
\
What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Summer | 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, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment\ • Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\ • Group/class feedback, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
There is the opportunity for student feedback in class for the written assignment prior to submission of the finalised version and individual feedback post-assessment will also be provided. Group feedback of the in-class MCQ will also be provided allowing students the opportunity to target specific areas for enhanced learning prior to the final exam.
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Eoghan Curran | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Gary Gillespie | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Cathal McCabe | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Tomás McCabe | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Mr Conor O'Flaherty | 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 14:00 - 14:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Tues 14:00 - 14:50 |