AESC10010
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=AESC10010&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
Land Use and the Environment (AESC10010)
Subject: : Agricultural&Environmental Sci
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 1 (Introductory)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Assoc Professor Helen Sheridan
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 will provide an overview of key environmental challenges and explore the potential impacts of these on human populations over coming decades e.g. climate change, degradation of soil and water resources and loss of biodiversity. The evolution of the farmed landscape will be explored and the impacts of modern agricultural systems discussed. The role of biodiversity in terms of facilitating ecosystem services that underpin agricultural production systems will be explored. Key policy and legislative initiatives that impact on agricultural production systems and the agri-environment will be outlined and suggestions regarding changes that need to be made to facilitate sustainable food production systems will be presented.\ \ \
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to:\ 1) Demonstrate an awareness of key global environmental issues and the factors that are giving rise to these.\ 2) Understand the main ways in which agricultural production systems have changed over time, particularly over the last 60 years.\ 3) Appreciate the potential implications of global human population growth on natural resources.\ 4) Understand the importance of biodiversity in agricultural production systems.\ 5) Demonstrate an awareness of key policy and legislative initiatives that impact on European agricultural production systems.\
Indicative Module Content:
Key areas this module will focus on are:\ Climate change\ Biodiversity loss \ Ecosystem service provision\ Quantity and quality of water resources\ Soil degradation\ Growing human population\ Land use
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 |
| Specified Learning Activities | 30 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 50 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 100 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered through a series of 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
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 trimester MCQ examination (RDS Scheduled) examination | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 100 | No |
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Carry forward of passed components
Yes
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What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Spring | Yes - 2 Hour |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Self-assessment activities\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Not yet recorded.
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Assoc Professor Barry John McMahon | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Assoc Professor Paul Murphy | 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 | Thurs 10:00 - 10:50 |
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Tues 10:00 - 10:50 |