Module Details

Module Code: AGRI C4F03
Module Title: Animal product quality
Title: Animal product quality
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Stephen Whelan
Module Author:: Stephen Whelan
Domains:  
Module Description: The module will focus on how animal product quality can be optimised through good management principals. Focusing mainly on the quality of animal produce, the module will be consumer focused and cover strategies to produce animals in the most sustainable manner possible. The module will examine relevant examples of how the quality of the animal product can be manipulated both at farm level and processor level to meet the requirements of the consumer. There will also be a focus on nutritional enhancement of the animals diet to produce product that is more nutrient dense.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate how quality animal products that meet market specification can maximise the return from the market place
LO2 Understand how the management of the animal may enhance it's nutritional characteristics and/ or sensory characteristics
LO3 Be capable of providing on farm advice to farmers on how they can meet the animal quality specifications and quality assurance schemes that are required
LO4 Understand the role of nutritional enhanced animal products and their benefits for the consumer
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Animal Product Quality
Animal product quality needs to be consumer led. Ensuring that the meat and dairy products are optimised for human consumption is essential in the sustainability of the system. The end user approach is essential here; what are the carcass traits desired by the consumer? what is the main dairy product being produced from milk? Starting at the consumer end, this module will work backwards to demonstrate how these criteria can be met at farm level.
Quality Assurance
Various examples of Bord Bia's quality assurance schemes will be used to demonstrate how they are implemented at farm and processor level and give the student an insight into the rationale for their development.
Nutritional Enhancement of Animal Product
The student will learn about the most recent examples of how animal products can be enhanced to improve the nutrition of those consuming them. Content will be derived from published papers as well as commercial examples of nutritional enhancement e.g. omega enriched chicken.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students are to complete a written report on a concept delivered in a lecture. The report must summarise the findings in a farmer facing format.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students must complete a quality assurance assessment of a livestock farm.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students are to complete an assessment of the clean livestock policy / dairy hygiene policy on farm and offer farmers advice where necessary
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students are to complete a report on a site visit to a food processor summarising their main learnings.
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Students are to complete a report on a site visit to a food processor summarising their main learnings.
No Project
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 50
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Terminal Exam
Reassessment Requirement
Exam Board
It is at the discretion of the Examination Board as to what the qualifying criteria are.

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

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Imparting knowledge and ideas and facilitating learners to learn independently. 12 Weeks per Stage 2.00 24
Practicals Contact Field based practical work that backs up lecture based learning activities. 12 Weeks per Stage 1.00 12
Independent Learning Time Non Contact Completion of project and reports. Autonomous student learning and revision of concepts delivered through the lectures 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • McDonald et al. Animal Nutrition, 8.
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
This module does not have any other resources
Discussion Note: