Module Title:Animal and Plant Biology
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 10
NFQ Level:6
Module Delivered In No Programmes
Teaching & Learning Strategies: Formal lectures will be supplemented by laboratory and group work. The instructor will balance the needs of the learner to acquire the knowledge and skillset that will make them capable of applying biological principals to farm practice. Group learning will underpin individual learning. Case studies will be presented by learner groups. Practical learning experiences will delivered through the use of the biology laboratory at IT Carlow and also through filed labs where identification of weeds, diseases and pests will take place. Students will be trained in the safe use of chemical and biological substances, the principals of which can be applied at both farm and lab level.
Module Aim: The module aims to provide the learner with a solid understanding of zoology and botany as applied in commercial agriculture.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Display knowledge of the growth and reproduction in animals, plants and fungi. Particularly those of importance to agriculture
LO2 Be capable of distinguishing between animal, plant and fungal cells by their internal structures and their chemistry
LO3 Display an understanding of the chemical processes that are of importance to agriculture
LO4 Describe and illustrate the biological sciences as they apply to animals, especially cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry, together with their interactions with crops and soils.
LO5 Be capable of identifying various weeds, diseases and pests of agricultural importance
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Plant Biology
• Introduction to plant taxonomy; identification of agriculturally important crop and weed species. • Plant cells; structure & function • Physiology of flowering plants: photosynthesis; respiration; reproduction; growth; nutrition; response to environmental stimuli. • Algae; liverworts; mosses; ferns; horsetails; club mosses; and conifers. • Introduction to Agricultural microbiology; agriculturally-important fungi, bacteria and viruses.
Animal Biology
• Introduction to animal taxonomy • Animal cells; structure and function • Animal physiology; respiration; reproduction; endocrine system; digestion; growth; nutrition; movement. • Introduction to Agricultural entomology; identification of insects, arthropods and other forms of agricultural significance.
Assessment Breakdown%
Practical50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%
No Continuous Assessment
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Practical/Skills Evaluation Students will be expected to produce a one to two page summary of their lab session summarising the importance of the topic covered, the methodology and outcomes. Sketches of the outcomes will be encouraged where appropriate. The report should wrap up with key findings and will be handed in at the end of each class in a laboratory notebook. Feedback will be given the following week. 1,2,3,4,5 20.00 n/a
Practical/Skills Evaluation This will be Students will complete a project in an area of relevance to agriculture but encompass biological processes and the principals of good experimental design. The project will be conducted in groups of three or four depending on final class size. Students will produce a report at the end of their experiment summarising why the experiment is of relevance to agriculture, how the experiment was conducted, their findings and its implications for farming. At the end of the project the group will present their findings to the rest of the class using communication techniques acquired during the year. 1,2,3,4,5 30.00 n/a
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam Terminal Examination 1,2,3,4 50.00 End-of-Semester

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 30 Weeks per Stage 1.50
Laboratory 30 Weeks per Stage 1.50
Independent Learning 30 Weeks per Stage 3.67
Total Hours 200.00