Skip to Content

detail

BSc Agricultural Technology with Professional Studies

Academic Year 2017/18

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

BSc Agricultural Technology with Professional Studies

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Bachelor of Science

Programme Code

AGT-BSC-S

UCAS Code

D470

JACS Code

D470 (DESCR) 100

Criteria for Admissions

A-level:
BBB including at least two relevant subjects (see list below) + GCSE Mathematics grade C
OR
ABB including a relevant subject (see list below) + GCSE Mathematics grade C.
Note: applicants not offering either Biology or Chemistry at A-level should have GCSE Chemistry grade C or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC.
BTEC Extended Diploma: a relevant Agriculture/Science BTEC Extended Diploma with 10 Distinctions and 8 Merits + GCSE Chemistry grade C or GCSE Double Award Science grades CC + GCSE Mathematics grade C.

Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level):
B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2 including Higher Level grade B2 in two relevant subjects (see list below) + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.
OR
B2B2B2B2B2B2/AB2B2B2B2 including a relevant subject (see list below) + if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade C in Mathematics.
Note: applicants not offering Agricultural Science, Biology or Chemistry at Higher Level must have Chemistry at Ordinary Level grade C.

Relevant Subjects:
Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, ICT, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Home Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Physical Education, Psychology, Technology & Design. Other subjects considered on an individual basis.

International Students
This programme is not open to International students due to restrictions at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise.

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Full Time

Type of Programme

Single Honours

Length of Programme

4 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

480

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Biological Sciences

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 6

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, food and consumer sciences (2009)

Accreditations (PSRB)

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

The following regulations should be read in conjunction with the University’s General Regulations.
For students first enrolled on the programme in 2009/10 and subsequently, the following module weightings should be used when calculating the honours classification: Stage 1 10%, Stage 2 20%, Professional Studies module 10% and Stage 3 60%.

To be eligible to graduate, in addition to the university requirements, students must pass the module Professional Studies. Students who fail the module Professional studies will automatically be transferred to the same named degree without Professional Studies in the degree title.

Students with protected characteristics

The programme does not contain barriers to access or progression among protected groups.

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

On completion of the programme the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of crop and animal production systems for the sustainability of the agricultural industry, including the underpinning scientific, economic and business principles and the applicability of recent developments in these areas.

2. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the impact of global, EU and regional policy on the agricultural industry, including statutory, legal and ethical frameworks and public needs and concerns regarding agriculture.

3. Demonstrate an ability to understand and assess agri-environment interactions and devise appropriate environmental management strategies

4. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of managing agriculture as a business at national, EU and global levels.

5. Demonstrate competence in subject specific and key skills and problem solving.

6. Demonstrate a professional approach to the work environment, study and life-long learning.

7. Devise, manage and evaluate project work.

8. Demonstrate how their degree learning outcomes can be applied to the workplace and show evidence of career management planning.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Collect, collate, analyse and interpret data and information. e.g. in relation to physical and financial performance for a range of sustainable crop and livestock production enterprises.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, visits, case studies, practical, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, presentations, reports, practical write ups

Produce solutions to familiar and novel problems through the application of knowledge and understanding.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials, practicals, computer assisted learning, case studies, visits, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, presentations, reports, essays, assignments, case study, practical write up, project

Assess the impact of agricultural practices on the environment.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, visits, case studies, seminars, tutorials, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, essays, and reports

Assess the implications of recent developments in agricultural science and technology on profitability and management of the agricultural industry.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, visits, seminars, tutorials, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, essays, visit reports presentation and project

Critically evaluate the implications of EU policy and Global Issues on agriculture.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, visits, seminars, tutorials, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, essays, reports and presentation.

Plan, design and execute an investigation or survey from the problem-recognition stage through to the evaluation of results and findings, including the means to test an hypothesis or proposition

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through project report, poster presentations and practical and technical reports.

Critically evaluate and interpret data derived from observations and measurements, in terms of their significance and the theory underlying them.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials, visits, practicals, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, essays, reports, project, presentations, practical write up

Recognise the moral and ethical issues related to agricultural production methods.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, tutorials, seminars, visits, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, essays, reports and presentations.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Describe and understand the principles of plant and soil science, crop husbandry practice, mechanisation and building requirements for efficient, market-led, sustainable, environmentally sensitive crop production systems

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, practicals, visits, directed and independent reading and tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, reports, essays, skills demonstrated, class tests, presentations and projects.

.Understand and apply the fundamental concepts of animal science, ethical animal husbandry, mechanisation and building requirements for efficient, market-led, quality-driven, environmentally sensitive, sustainable animal production systems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, practicals, computer assisted learning, directed and independent reading, visits, tutorials and practical classes

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, essays, reports ,oral presentations, case studies, practical reports, projects and class tests

Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the principles of business success, including physical and financial performance of sustainable agricultural systems, supply chain management, marketing, innovation and entrepreneurship

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, computer assisted learning, visits, seminars, tutorials directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations ,reports, case studies, essays and assignments

Describe, understand and assess the interaction of agriculture with the environment, including landscape, water, air, soil and biodiversity, and be able to determine appropriate environmentally-sensitive practices.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, tutorials, computer assisted learning, visits, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, reports, case studies, essays and assignments

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Operate and manage enterprises within a farm environment in a safe manner, taking account of Health and Safety, environmental and welfare considerations

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Tutorials, practicals, work rota, work rota supervision, directed and independent reading, visits

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through skills demonstrated, observations, presentations, enterprise duties and enterprise management

Determine the profitability and sustainability of agricultural businesses and develop appropriate management strategies for these

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals, visits, case studies, computer assisted learning, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through exams, essays and reports, projects, case studies, class test, assignments and presentations.

Identify the unique nutritional requirements, diseases and pests of crop and animal species used in agriculture

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, tutorials, practicals, visits, case studies, computer assisted learning, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through exams, essays and reports, projects, case studies, class test, assignments and presentations.

Demonstrate competence in a range of practical and technical agricultural skills, using safe and ethical working practices.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, tutorial, seminars, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through demonstrated skills, practical write ups, reports, seen and unseen examinations and certification.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate interpersonal skills; the ability to interact professionally with peers, staff, the public and industry representatives, including appropriate written and oral skills.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Presentations, essays, reports, practical write-ups, mock interviews, workshops and tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Assessed by word-processed ���course work’, case studies and presentations supported with visual aids to their peers and enterprise management advisory board comprised of teaching staff and industry representatives; mock job interviews.

Demonstrate team and group working in informal and formal situations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Group tasks, case studies, visits and enterprise work

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through course work, case studies, workbooks, presentations

Evaluate qualitative and quantitative information, extending to situations where there is limited information. (ALL MODULES)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, case studies, directed and independent study and ICT training

Methods of Assessment

Assessed by course work, case studies and workbooks, presentations, examinations

Demonstrate numeracy, including such aspects as estimations, correct use of units and modes of data presentation, application of general, biological and economic statistics.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Practicals, case studies, directed and independent study, lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Assessed by course work, case studies, practical reports, workbooks, projects

Acquire, transform, interpret and critically evaluate data.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Workshops, lectures and tutorials

Methods of Assessment

Assessed by course work, case studies, workbooks, practical reports, projects.

Demonstrate information retrieval in relation to primary and secondary information sources, including through online computer searches and critical appraisal of these sources. (ALL MODULES)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

ICT training, workshops, tutorials, directed and independent study

Methods of Assessment

Assessed by written elements of coursework.

Demonstrate information technology skills, including word processing, spreadsheet use, database use, archiving data and information, and internet communication. (ALL MODULES)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills training, working to deadlines, workshops, lectures, work placement and projects

Methods of Assessment

Assessed by coursework presentation.

Show effective time-management and organisation skills, as evidenced by the ability to plan and implement efficient and effective modes of working. (ALL MODULES).

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills training, directed and independent study and group work

Methods of Assessment

Only assessed by personal effectiveness in the enterprise modules.

Demonstrate study skills for lifelong learning, including independent study and group study (ALL MODULES)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills training, directed and independent study and group work

Methods of Assessment

Not directly assessed, although implicit in achievement within programme.

Demonstrate project management skills.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Seminars, tutorials and skills training

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through the dissertation.

Demonstrate career Management Skills.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Skills sessions, workshops, work placement, project and interaction with industry etc.

Methods of Assessment

Assessed by reflective writing.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of the position of the agricultural industry within national, EU and global perspectives.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, tutorials, visits, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessed through examinations, essays, reports, presentation and class test.

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Introduction to Business and Research Methods BIO1101 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Mechanisation and Farm Buildings BIO1201 1 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 30% 0% 70%
Enterprise Technology BIO1306 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 70% 30% 0%
Applied Crop Science BIO1307 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 20% 10% 70%
Applied Animal Science BIO1308 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 30% 0% 70%
Agri-food Business Marketing & Management BIO2307 2 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 40% 0% 60%
Livestock Production and Management BIO2308 2 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 30% 10% 60%
Crop Production Systems BIO2309 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 40% 0% 60%
Sustainable Agriculture BIO2310 2 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Professional Studies BIO3303 3 120 YES YES 46 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship BIO3101 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Policies for Environmental Sustainability BIO3109 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Farm Animal Health and Welfare BIO3106 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Advances in Crop and Animal Science and Technology BIO3208 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 30% 0% 70%
Project Work (Ag Tech) BIO3307 4 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES 100% 0% 0%
Global Issues in Agriculture BIO3207 4 20 YES 12 weeks N YES 40% 0% 60%

Notes

Stage 1: Students will take the compulsory modules equivalent to 120CATS.

Stage 2: Students will take the compulsory modules equivalent to 120CATS. Students will start preparation for their work placement in the first semester of Stage 2. BIO2303: 10 workshops and 16 week placement

Stage 3: Students will take the compulsory modules equivalent to 120CATS.

Year out: All students will spend a minimum of 46 weeks in a work placement during which they will carry out some project type work. Students will begin preparations for the placement in the first semester of Stage 2 and the placement will be assessed within the module Professional Studies, BIO3303. Students unable to secure a year placement will be transferred to the BSc Agricultural Technology programme.