AESC30100 Pests, Parasites and Beneficials

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module provides an overview of the biology and ecology of invertebrate pests, parasites and beneficials of agricultural importance. Topics include: the biology, life histories and identification of the major pest, parasite and beneficial groups, review of the main types of damage and benefits caused, the nature and causes of pest and disease outbreaks and the basic principles of prevention and control. The module comprises taught lecture classes and a total of 6 x 2 hour practical classes held in the laboratory for class groups A and B on alternate weeks during the trimester. Students will be informed of their practical class group at the start of the trimester.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:- Recognise, and describe the biology, ecology and economic importance of the main groups of crop pests, beneficials and livestock parasites in Irish agriculture. Understand livestock parasite transmission strategies, and crop pest cycles. Understand the importance of crop and livestock problems caused by pest and parasite injury. Be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of possible control strategies, especially with regard to understanding life cycles and the causes of pest/parasite incidence. Describe the environmental and consumer hazards associated with the use of pesticides and antiparasite drugs. Understand the interaction between husbandry practice, environment, and crop and livestock disease incidence in relation to integrated control strategies.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Practical

12
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

106
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
lectures, lab work, group work 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:

This module (AESC 30100) and AESC 30210 Plant Protection - Pests ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. Students who take AESC 30210 cannot take this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
BIOL10030 - Cell and Plant Biology

Incompatibles:
AESC30150 - Forest Protection, AESC30210 - Plant Protection - Pests


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Assessment of in class and self-directed work; students will prepare a short report on guided research tasks Week 4 n/a Graded No

25
Assignment: Assessment of in class and self-directed work; students will prepare a short report on guided research tasks Week 7 n/a Graded No

25
Essay: Short essay from a list of possible topics Week 12 n/a Graded No

25
Assignment: Assessment of in class and self-directed work; students will complete a short report on guided research tasks Week 10 n/a Graded No

25

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Alison O'Reilly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Dara Stanley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Annetta Zintl Lecturer / Co-Lecturer