Agricultural Science - Kerry
Agricultural science is the application of science and business to the primary production of quality food and ecosystem services. Agriculture is a huge growth industry, both in Ireland and internationally, and remains vital to the country’s economic development. Potential candidates interested in pursuing a career in the agri-food industry today, need to apply scientific knowledge to sustainable farm management. This helps to ensure that the range of agricultural activities – environmental awareness, food safety, animal welfare, advancements of Agri-Food technology and contemporary scientific knowledge are considered in the context of sustainable animal and crop production.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years (8 Semesters).
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Minimum Leaving Certificate entry requirements
6 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 4
Subjects H5 2
Maths Grade 06/H7
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 541 Bachelor of Business
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 941 Bachelor of Business (Honours)
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Poplular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined in the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
LCVP Grade Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Further Studies
While the majority of students complete their honours degree in MTU there is also an agreed progression route which, on successful completion of year three, provides students the opportunity to apply for entry to year three of one of the following streams on the BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science in UCD.
• Animal and crop production
• Agricultural systems technology
• Food and agribusiness management
Suitably qualified Level 8 Honours graduates are eligible to progress to taught master programmes or to research at either master or PhD level.
• Sustainable Agriculture and Land use with Innovation (Level 9 Postgraduate Diploma, MTU Kerry)
Career Opportunities
• Farm management
• Technical service and consultancy
• Research
• Education
• Marketing and communications
• Primary production of quality food products
• Agribusiness
• Consultancy
Further information
16
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
As a third-year student, you take part in a structured period of agri-food industry placement. It’s while on placement that you really see the value of your academic learning in a real-life working environment. Your placement lays the foundations of your personal career path. It’s all about developing skills, gaining knowledge and cultivating the attitude needed to build a rewarding career.
Modules are delivered at the MTU Kerry South Campus, however, semester four is taught in Teagasc Clonakilty Agricultural College, Co. Cork.
First and foremost, agricultural science programmes give your career a sound scientific foundation. Students take modules in a variety of scientific areas, including animal, crop, environmental and food sciences. In the economics and business module, you learn about the relationship between sustainable agriculture and consumers. These programmes give you everything you need to launch an agri-science/agri-business career in Ireland and beyond.
A BSc in Agricultural Science is listed as one of the qualifications which meets the requirements for Stamp Duty Exemption for Transfers of Land to Young Farmers (www.revenue.ie).
First Year at a Glance:
• Animal and Plant Biology: introduces basic biological concepts relating to the structure (anatomy) and workings (physiology) of bacteria, animal and plant cells
• Agri-Chemistry: looks at basic chemical principles, concepts and terminology necessary for an understanding of agricultural science
• Scientific Communication and Computer Applications: introduction to the most frequently used computer applications in laboratory analysis and develops skills for interpersonal communication including oral and written presentations
• Essential Scientific Maths: this module will ensure that students will have appropriate numerical, algebraic and graphical skills and are able to apply these skills successfully within their discipline
• Overview of the Agri-Food Industry: a holistic and comprehensive review of the agri-food sector in Ireland
• Crop Science: the fundamentals of agronomy including crop morphology, identification of species and crop physiological requirements
• Physics Concepts: provides knowledge of basic physics principles, concepts, ideas and terminologies and enable the student to apply to various physical phenomena
• Soil Science: introduces the biological, chemical and physical properties of soil
Dr Eilish Broderick
T: +353 (0)66 714 5631
E: eilish.broderick@mtu.ie