SETU set to grow in the agri space with the launch of four new CAO courses
South East Technological University (SETU) has expanded its offering of agricultural programmes with the launch of four new degrees in Organic Agriculture and Agri-Systems Engineering at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois.
Prospective students interested in working in the agri food industry can apply for a level 8 BSc (Hons) and level 7 BSc in Organic Agriculture and a level 8 BEng (Hons) and level 7 BEng in Agri-Systems Engineering when the CAO opens in November.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Stephen Whelan, Programme Director said:
“Our new organic agriculture programmes give students a unique opportunity to make a big impact on the organic industry. The BSc in Organic Agriculture is the only such degree being offered on the island of Ireland and we believe the honours version of the course is the only Level 8 degree in organic agriculture offered in either the UK or Ireland”.
The programme was developed in close consultation with industry, including the Irish Organic Association whose expertise were drawn on in the development of the organic modules on the programme.
Dr Whelan continued, “The agri-team in the Wexford campus are thankful to all those in industry who contributed to the development of the programme, especially Grace Maher from the Irish Organic Association who was heavily involved from the start”.
The BSc in Organic Agriculture will complement the existing BSc in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness programmes with which it shares the scientific and business modules.
The BEng in Agricultural Systems Engineering was also developed by working closely with industry.
Dr John Carroll, co-director of the programme together with Dr Anthony Nolan, said that “our vision for this programme is that it will create talented problem solvers for the agricultural industry, which is becoming increasingly mechanised and technical.
“Students on this programme will be able to take advantage of the best offerings in the Wexford and the Carlow campuses of SETU, capitalising on the agricultural expertise in the former and the engineering expertise in the latter.”
Similar to the Organic Agriculture courses, the BEng in Agricultural Systems Engineering programmes will share a number of agri-business and applied agriculture modules with the parent programme, the BSc in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness. Students will take the engineering components of the programme in Carlow as well as learning from exposure to the many agri-engineering companies in the south east.
Both the BSc in Organic Agriculture and the BEng in Agricultural Systems Engineering will be offered at Level 7 and Level 8 and will have their first intake of students in September 2023. For more information please visit www.setu.ie.