IE · Subject guide
Agricultural Science
Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science (NCCA specification), Higher and Ordinary Level, with the SEC examination.
01 · Overview
Agricultural Science
Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science (NCCA specification), Higher and Ordinary Level, with the SEC examination.
- Subject guide
- Leaving Certificate
- Topics mapped
- 16
02 · Complete topic map
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.
- 01
Strand 1: Scientific Practices
An overarching strand on how science works, covering hypothesising, experimenting, evaluating evidence, communicating, and working safely, that underpins study across all other strands.
- 02
Hypothesising
Using observations to formulate hypotheses, applying subject knowledge to draw conclusions, compiling and interpreting data from varied sources, and making predictions.
- 03
Experimenting
Designing and conducting practical investigations, controlling variables, handling primary and secondary data, and understanding uncertainty, accuracy and precision.
- 04
Evaluating Evidence and Communicating
Critically examining scientific claims, appreciating the limits and reliability of evidence, evaluating ethical issues, and presenting and debating investigation outcomes.
- 05
Strand 2 - Soils: Formation and Classification
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.
- 06
Soil Properties: Chemical, Physical and Biological
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).
- 07
Soil Management
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.
- 08
Strand 3 - Crops: Plant Physiology
Relating plant structures to photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration and nutrient absorption, and exploring principles of genetic improvement, selection and genetic engineering.
- 09
Crop Classification and Identification
Identifying grasses, cultivated crops and weeds by structure and function, distinguishing annual, biennial and perennial lifecycles, and understanding plant breeding and seed variety.
- 10
Crop Production: Establishment
Examining how soil quality, seedbed preparation, seed selection and sowing affect productivity, including germination, certified seed and crop establishment investigations.
- 11
Crop Production: Management
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.
- 12
Crop Production: Harvesting
Examining harvesting techniques and storage methods for grass, food crops and energy or catch crops, factors affecting preservation, and safe handling practices.
- 13
Strand 4 - Animals: Animal Physiology
Comparing ruminant and monogastric digestion, describing mammalian reproduction and fertilisation, and explaining genetics and the principles of genetic improvement and selection in farm animals.
- 14
Animal Classification and Identification
Describing the characteristics of common types, breeds and crosses of cattle, sheep, and one further farm animal from pigs, poultry or horses.
- 15
Animal Production
Studying nutrition and ration formulation, food constituents, production systems, output and produce quality, live-weight gain and feed conversion, sustainability and environmental implications.
- 16
Animal Systems, Management, Husbandry and Health
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.
03 · Where this subject applies
Where this subject applies
These pathways and regions are explicitly connected to the subject in the curriculum.
Levels and pathways
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.
Regions
All registered regions
04 · Official sources
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.
2
Public references
IE · EuraStudy Guides
Place this subject inside the complete curriculum.
Open the curriculum guide to see every subject and topic, or continue to EuraStudy Summa to begin working with the material.