Environmental Management In Agriculture – Bsc (honours) in Limerick Institute of Technology, Ireland

Environmental Management In Agriculture – Bsc (honours) in Limerick Institute of Technology

What is the programme about?

The Irish agriculture and food-processing sector is currently undergoing considerable growth, but it is crucial that this growth does not negatively affect the environment. Skilled environmental managers with knowledge of the environmental issues in agriculture and agri-business are needed by industry. This programme provides a solid foundation in science and environmental management, combined with agriculture modules to equip specialists to work in this field. Graduates develop expertise in the management of agriculture’s interaction with the environment to enable sustainable outcomes. They are strongly placed to take advantage of the growing employment opportunities within the agriculture and agri-business sector and also the wider environmental management field. 

The programme is delivered in conjunction with the existing B.Sc. in Environmental and Geographical Sciences. Approximately two thirds of the programme focuses on science and environmental management with one third focused on agricultural issues. The degree is run in co-operation with Gurteen College, Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary. There is considerable lab work, fieldwork, field trips and computer skills sessions provided throughout the degree. There is a work placement in the summer of third year. In the fourth year of the programme there are modules on soil science, soil management and carbon management in agriculture.

Who is the programme suited to?

This programme will suit people with an interest in agriculture and the environment. School subjects such as geography, agricultural science, biology and chemistry will be particularly relevant. The programme incorporates options for students to be able to exit with a Level 6 Higher Certificate award after two years or a level 7 Ordinary Degree after three years.

Programme Aims:

The aims of the programme include the following; 

• To produce graduates who will have the capacity to apply knowledge and skills of environmental management to the agriculture and food sector
• To produce graduates that can contribute to agri-businesses and farms in protecting the environment while increasing the value of their output
• To produce graduates that can assist the Irish food sector to maintain and enhance its status as an environmentally sustainable producer of high quality food

Class Contact Hours

Year 1: 25 hours per week 
Year 2: 24 hours per week 
Year 3: 16 hours per week 
Year 4: 14 hours per week 

Did You Know?

Agriculture and food is an expanding sector in the Irish economy and environmental management is becoming increasingly important within that sector. Agri-food and Fisheries is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry. It collectively employs some 150,000 people with an annual output of over €24 billion.The requirement for environmental managers in the agribusiness sector is a defined, significant and growing employment segment within the Irish economy. A key challenge for agriculture will be to increase production in a sustainable manner which does not negatively impact on the natural environment.

Want More?

The course will be proportioned in such a way that approximately two thirds of the programme will focus on science and environmental management while one third of the programme will focus on agricultural issues. The degree will be run in conjunction with Gurteen College, Ballingarry, Co. Tipperary where a ten credit module will take place in Gurteen during the first year of the programme titled “Farm Enterprises - Theory & Practice”. The second and third year will see progressively increased content relating to agriculture, with considerable lab work, field work, field trips and computer skills sessions provided throughout the degree. 

A sustainable development stream will allow wider reflection on balancing the needs of the environment, the economy and society while a professional development module will prepare students for a work placement during the summer of third year. Fourth year will see modules on soil science, which is a very important area of study for those participating in the agriculture and environmental management sector.

Jobs Include

Graduates are qualified for a wide range of roles including roles such as farm auditors, environmental technicians, environmental officers, environmental scientists with businesses, agri business, the public sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or as environmental researchers and consultants. 

Graduates of the programme are particularly suited to careers with any of the following: 

Private sector
• Agricultural Consultants (environmental specialist)
• Environmental service providers (energy, waste, water)
• Environmental consultants
• Self employment

Public Sector and State Agencies
• Government departments including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 
• Teagasc
• National Parks and Wildlife Service
• Local authorities 
• Marine Institute
• Energy agencies
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Voluntary and Community sector:
• Development organisations
• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Graduates Work For

Graduates of the current Environmental & Geographical Sciences programme have been employed by a wide variety of organisations, many of which have a role in Irish Agriculture. These include the following: 

• ABP Food Group 
• AECOM 
• Alkermes Pharma 
• ALS Environmental Services 
• Arrabawn 
• Bord na Móna 
• Business in the Community 
• C&F Wind 
• Casey Technology 
• CDM Smith 
• Clearwater 
• ECOS Environmental Consultants 
• Eirgen 
• Enviroguide 
• EPA (internship) 
• Farm Relief Services 
• Glenpatrick Spring Water 
• Glenside Environmental 
• Greenstar 
• Inland Fisheries Ireland 
• Johnson & Johnson 
• Mallon Technology 
• Marine Institute (internship) 
• Meade Potato Company 
• Queally Group 
• Rangeland Foods 
• Roadbridge UK 
• Rosderra Irish Meats 
• Southdowns Environmental Consultants, UK 
• Stericycle Inc., USA 
• Teagasc 
• TMS Environment 

There are a number of professional organisations that environmental students and graduates can join (e.g. the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland). There is a clear route for the future professional development of those working in the environmental sector, with the potential to achieve Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status.