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Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science (NCCA specification), Higher and Ordinary Level, with the SEC examination.
Overview
Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science (NCCA specification), Higher and Ordinary Level, with the SEC examination.
Complete topic map
Every topic recorded for this subject in the curriculum is reproduced below in its full hierarchy. The descriptions reflect the mapped scope without implying additional exam rules.
An overarching strand on how science works, covering hypothesising, experimenting, evaluating evidence, communicating, and working safely, that underpins study across all other strands.
Using observations to formulate hypotheses, applying subject knowledge to draw conclusions, compiling and interpreting data from varied sources, and making predictions.
Designing and conducting practical investigations, controlling variables, handling primary and secondary data, and understanding uncertainty, accuracy and precision.
Critically examining scientific claims, appreciating the limits and reliability of evidence, evaluating ethical issues, and presenting and debating investigation outcomes.
Examining the factors involved in soil formation, the different soil types, groups and profiles in Ireland, and comparing soils by their properties and land-use potential.
Investigating soil chemistry (nutrients, pH, liming, cation exchange, flocculation), physical features (structure, texture, drainage, compaction), and biology (microbiome, earthworms, organic matter, nitrogen and carbon cycles).
Managing drainage, soil health and fertility, sampling and testing, fertiliser and manure use, carbon sequestration, water and air quality, and associated health and safety practices.
Relating plant structures to photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration and nutrient absorption, and exploring principles of genetic improvement, selection and genetic engineering.
Identifying grasses, cultivated crops and weeds by structure and function, distinguishing annual, biennial and perennial lifecycles, and understanding plant breeding and seed variety.
Examining how soil quality, seedbed preparation, seed selection and sowing affect productivity, including germination, certified seed and crop establishment investigations.
Evaluating crop management practices, conventional versus organic production, nutrient application, crop rotation and disease control, and the ethics and economics of biotechnology and genome editing.
Examining harvesting techniques and storage methods for grass, food crops and energy or catch crops, factors affecting preservation, and safe handling practices.
Comparing ruminant and monogastric digestion, describing mammalian reproduction and fertilisation, and explaining genetics and the principles of genetic improvement and selection in farm animals.
Describing the characteristics of common types, breeds and crosses of cattle, sheep, and one further farm animal from pigs, poultry or horses.
Studying nutrition and ration formulation, food constituents, production systems, output and produce quality, live-weight gain and feed conversion, sustainability and environmental implications.
Covering the scientific management of an animal's lifecycle and enterprise economics, market trends, housing and welfare, manure handling, traceability policy and animal husbandry and health.
Where this subject applies
These pathways and regions are explicitly connected to the subject in the curriculum.
Higher Level
Higher Level — the more demanding level, with broader and deeper content and the H1–H8 grade scale.
Ordinary Level
Ordinary Level — the foundational level covering the core of the syllabus, graded O1–O8.
Official sources
The public sources below are referenced directly by this subject or by one of its topics.
This editorial selection points to the relevant official bodies. Always confirm current requirements, dates and exceptional arrangements with your school and the responsible authority.
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Public references
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