Higher Certificate in Science, Agricultural Science
| Duration: | Two Years |
|---|---|
| Awarding Body: | Waterford IT |
| Course Code: | WD009 |
| Progression: | B Sc in Agr Sc Level 7 at WIT B Agr Sc Level 8 at UCD |
| Location: | Kildalton/Waterford IT |
| Method of application: | CAO |
| Maintenance Grant: | VEC (means tested) |
Course Aim
The aim of this two year third level course is to train people for the agriservice industry, as field or laboratory technicians or sales personnel.
Location
This course is delivered jointly by Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) and Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny. Students follow a comprehensive programme of study utilising the appropriate disciplines in each Institute. The laboratory-based scientific and allied subjects are taken in WIT and the agricultural subjects in Kildalton.
Entry Requirements and Application Procedures
Places are offered through the CAO. The minimum entry requirements for standard applicants are a pass in five subjects (ordinary level) in the Leaving Certificate to include Maths and English or Irish or an equivalent qualification. If there are more applicants than places the standard points system is used to rank applicants. Mature students and holders of FETAC awards at Level 5 and Level 6 may also apply through the CAO minimum requirements.
Course Structure and Content
The course is semesterised and modularised. There are two semesters in each year and students take six modules per semester.
In year one semester one students are full-time at Waterford IT, students spend one day/week at Kildalton in semester two. In year two students spend three days per week in Waterford IT and two days per week at Kildalton College.
Year One
Subjects include: biology, chemistry, computer applications, maths, physics.
Year Two
Subjects include: soil management, animal production, crop production, mechanisation and safety analysis, food microbiology, and statistics. On successful completion of the course students are awarded the Higher Certificate in Science, Agricultural Science. This award meets the training requirement for Stamp Duty exemption and Installation Aid.
Progression
Holders of the Higher Certificate in Agricultural Science are eligible to progress to the add-on Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Science at WIT or into year two of the B Agr Sc Degree at UCD.
