Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science

Agricultural Science is Tullamore College's newest science subject at senior cycle. Agricultural Science is the study of the science behind the practices and principles of modern Irish agricultural. It aims to develop a set of scientific skills and knowledge that will be transferable in a wide range of careers based in science, not only agriculture. The subject is by no means restricted to those students from a farming background.

The subject's assessment is split into a written paper (75%) and practical, hands on based project work (25%), so there is ample opportunity for pupils to get hands on practical experience at both lab work, through experiments and practicals, and farm visits and walks.

Content

The course consists of the study of a variety of aspects of agriculture under the following headings:

• Soils
• The general structure and function of plants
• Farm crops - cereal and roots
• Farm crops - grassland
• Trees and shelter
• Structure and function of the animal body
• The cow, the sheep, horse, and pig
• Farm buildings and farm-house environment

Latest news in Agricultural Science

 5^th Year Agricultural Science Trip to Gurteen Agricultural College

On the 22^nd of March the 5^th year Agricultural Science class, accompanied by Ms. Browne and Ms. Coyne, headed off the Gurteen Agricultural College to get a taste of farming life. The students were welcomed with plenty of tea and biscuits and then it was time to get on the wellies for a guided tour of the working farm. First stop the workshops, then the beef sheds and cattle, a look round the stables and the horses and back to the dairy and milking parlour. The tour ended in the lambing shed where some students got well acquainted with some very new, new borns!

5^th Year Agricultural Science Students

Test Their Tractor Driving Skills!

On the 8^th of May, 5^th year Agricultural Science students, accompanied by Ms. Browne, undertook an FRS Training course in safe tractor driving. The aim of the course was to promote safety when farming and using machinery and to show the students how to operate these machines safely. The day started out with a theory based session in the morning and then it was off to the grounds of Tullamore mart for the much anticipated practical aspect. Each student has to complete a series of tasks – hitching and unhitching a slurry spreader, reversing and weaving through an obstacle course of cones. Everyone passed with flying colours, despite a few minor mishaps- one cone was left a little flatter than when we started. Even Ms. Browne got in on the action and had a go! Congratulations to all who got their certificates of safe driving!