UCD Graduate Studies

In December 2008, the Irish Government’s Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal, set out to, “… address the current economic challenges and to build a ‘Smart Economy’ with a thriving enterprise sector, high-quality employment, secure energy supplies, an attractive environment, and first-class infrastructure.”

Big ambitions, which the Framework suggests would complement, “…the core strength of our economy in the use of natural resources in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism and energy sectors.”

In 2008, Irish agri-food and drinks exports, part of a global bioresources industry, were valued at €8.16bn, and employed some 160,000 people. All businesses operating from farm to fork (and beyond) need to have systems in place to manage risk, deal with waste, maintain quality and deploy processes that lead to sustainability.

How these businesses, and others, can effectively and appropriately use natural resources is the core question for students of the MSc(Agr) Bioresource Technology programme. How can engineering technologies contribute to the clean and sustainable growth of the bioresource industries?

Head of Biosystems Engineering
Professor Nick Holden

Head of Biosystems Engineering Professor Nick Holden explains what students cover on the programme.

Read more about Professor Holden's work

Dr Tom Curran worked in production and environmental management in the meat industry before returning to UCD. In his Air Pollution module, he looks at the measurement, minimisation and the impact of major air pollutants such as greenhouse gases, suspended particulate matter, and odour.  Dr Curran has been awarded the 2009 Award for Excellence in Teaching Materials and Methods in Biological and Agricultural Engineering by the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE).

This international award recognises an individual or group of individuals in the development and dissemination of excellent teaching materials and methods in Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

“Advanced Biofuels and Renewable Energies”, with Dr Kevin McDonnell (programme director) looks at the principles of renewable energy systems. The impact of fuel production on land use such as for food and fibre is also covered, and the interaction between fuel, feed, food and fibre costs and environmental impacts is assessed.

Dr. Kevin McDonnell on sustainable crops: curse or cure:

Quantitative Risk Assessment for Human and Animal Health, coordinated by Dr Enda Cummins, looks at project management, public health, environmental (including water quality) and food safety risk assessment. Dr Cummins is also the director of the MEngSc Food Engineering programme, which focuses more specifically on the engineering involved in bioprocess and food manufacturing systems.

Alongside taught courses, all students complete a thesis, and this work can sometimes form the basis of a PhD later. Previous topics have included: Sustainable water supply and consumption in County Sligo; Economic assessment of bioethonol production; Assessment of construction and demolition waste as a landfill cover; and The transport of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts through soil.

Graduates from the MSc(Agr) Bioresource Technology have gone on to further research or to work in companies such as Wyeth Medical, Bord na Móna, Glanbia and RPS Consulting. Others are entrepreneurs, having developed technology and consulting businesses.

Marian Hennessey is co-promoter, with Professor Holden, of Agri-Time, a participant on the 2009 NovaUCD Campus Company Development Programme.

The business creates systems to deliver real-time data and information for time critical management decisions on farms. Marian says the subjects covered in the Bioresource Technology programme allowed her to see potential to develop a business to support farmers. “Compliance in farm businesses is a major issue. Regulations and schemes are designed to manage the environmental impact of agriculture, but it can be challenging for farmers to consistently make the right decisions at the right time. The course, in particular the modules on Precision Agriculture and Computer Modelling, really brought to life issues at play and revealed a need for services to support agricultural decision-making.”

Whether through research, work in major industry, or in the creation of the next generation of green businesses, environmental technologists are vital to ensuring natural resources are used wisely and profitably in years to come.

Learn more about graduate opportunities in the UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine