Agricultural Science Studying Independently
NOW ENROLLING
As of Tuesday 1st October, enrolment for 6th Year Students sitting the Leaving Certificate 2025 Agricultural Science exam is closed.
Please contact our office on 01 661 3511, if you require further information.
Our Agricultural Science Out Of School Subject is designed to provide expert tuition to 5th & 6th Year students who want to study Agricultural Science independently for the Leaving Certificate.
Throughout the 29 weeks, our expert teachers help to develop the subject knowledge and key examination skills students need to reach their full academic potential.
For two hours per week, students can study independently by attending fully interactive online classes.
Students studying Agricultural Science independently will receive:
- Exceptional tuition from Ireland’s leading teachers
- 2 hours of class per week
- Weekly support with homework and projects
- Live class recordings to rewatch at any time throughout the school year until the end of the State Exams in 2025
- The Institute’s renowned exam-focused class notes
- Exam strategies – answer techniques, marking schemes and time management
The teacher for this Agricultural Science Studying Independently course is Eimear Darcy.
Subject Topics:
- Grassland
Grassland Management, Silage and Hay Making, Reseeding. - Animal Physiology
Ruminant, Monogastric Digestion, Animal Nutrition, Reproductive Systems. - Dairy Production
Calf Rearing, Lactation and Breeding Management. - Beef Production
Beef Husbandry, Diseases, Suckler Cows, Management. - Sheep Production
Lambing, Breeding , Diseases, Management. - Crops
Disease, Pest and Weed Control, Soil Preparation, Cover Crops (Kale). - Cereal Production
Barley - Root Crop Production
Potatoes - Plant Biology
Photosynthesis, Transpiration, Plant Classification, Plant Physiology. - Genetics
Genetic Crosses, Definitions and Applied Genetics. - Soil Science
Composition, Structure, Soil Management, Fertilisers, Environment, and Pollution. - Experiments
Specified Practical Activities - Scientific Practices
Scientific Method, Evaluating Evidence. - Health and Safety
Safe Work Practices on a Farm, Machinery, Technology, Sustainability.
Coursework Information
The project in Agricultural Science is worth 25%.
It involves completing the Individual Investigative Study (IIS) and preparing a portfolio of all mandatory experiments completed. The IIS is based on a theme released every year, it involves visiting a farm and carrying out an experiment and collecting data based around the theme of that year. A physical experiment must be carried out, the experiment can be based on a farm or it can be carried out at home based on an idea formed from visiting a farm. A lot of research must also be carried out on your chosen topic to aid with the project write up and to help students form an idea for their coursework.
For this coursework, your experiment will be carried out at home as there is no lab access, this may involve you buying some equipment to help you complete the experiment at home. The project is due in April 2024.
Continuous Assessment
As part of this course, you will have weekly online tests based on the previous week’s topic. There will be some larger weekly tests when we are finished with a complete topic, e.g., soil science. There will also be 2 onsite exams held during the course. The pace of this course is very fast, and you will be required to work on your own initiative.
Directions and guidance will be given on the project but students are expected to carry out the experiment and research in their own time at home. You also must read the next week’s notes before class so you are prepared for the fast paced class.
Experiments and Practicals
There are a number of mandatory experiments on the Curriculum. Students will have to attend laboratory days to carry out these experiments. These laboratory days may be held on two different Saturdays over the duration of the course, dates and details will be confirmed during the course. Students will also have access to videos of these experiments.
**NOTE: The following points should be noted by students looking to study this subject.
- Homework – both written work and online work will be given regularly.
- Students will be asked to engage in online classes regularly.
- The pace of the online theory classes are very fast so it is very important that students use their own initiative to pre-read class material and to revise class material regularly.
- Students are expected to work under their own initiative for their Individual Investigative Study (IIS) as much as possible. Guidance will be given.
- The project is an individual project and therefore there can be no group work.
- Students will have to carry out experiments at home or on a farm to collect results for their project. It is essential that primary data is collected from experiments for the IIS.
Notes and Homework
Extensive notes are provided to students. These notes are for use throughout the course and are a useful revision tool.
For the Academic Year 2024/25 this Agricultural Science Course will take place every Wednesday at 17:30 as per the Weekly Schedule below.
NOTE: All classes are 120 minutes in duration.
*Students may join at any stage throughout the year, subject to availability.
| Week | Week Commencing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2nd Sept 2024 | First Week |
| 2 | 9th Sept 2024 | |
| 3 | 16th Sept 2024 | |
| 4 | 23rd Sept 2024 | |
| 5 | 30th Sept 2024 | |
| 6 | 7th Oct 2024 | |
| 7 | 14th Oct 2024 | |
| 8 | 21st Oct 2024 | |
| No Classes | 30th Oct 2024 | Mid-Term |
| 9 | 4th Nov 2024 | |
| 10 | 11th Nov 2024 | |
| 11 | 18th Nov 2024 | |
| 12 | 25th Nov 2024 | |
| 13 | 2nd Dec 2024 | |
| 14 | 9th Dec 2024 | |
| No Classes | 16th Dec 2024 | Christmas |
| No Classes | 23rd Dec 2024 | Christmas |
| No Classes | 30th Dec 2024 | Christmas |
| 15 | 6th Jan 2025 | |
| 16 | 13th Jan 2025 | |
| 17 | 20th Jan 2025 | |
| 18 | 27th Jan 2025 | |
| 19 | 3rd Feb 2025 | St. Brigid's Bank Holiday, Classes as normal this week, including Bank Holiday Monday 3rd February 2025 |
| 20 | 10th Feb 2025 | |
| No Classes | 17th Feb 2025 | February Mid Term |
| 21 | 24th Feb 2025 | |
| 22 | 3rd March 2025 | |
| 23 | 10th March 2025 | |
| No Classes | 17th March 2025 | St Patrick's Week |
| 24 | 24th March 2025 | |
| 25 | 31st March 2025 | |
| 26 | 7th April 2025 | |
| No Classes | 14th April 2025 | Easter Break |
| No Classes | 21st April 2025 | Easter Break |
| 27 | 28th April 2025 | |
| 28 | 5th May 2025 | **May Bank Holiday. No classes Mon 5th May. Classes as normal Tuesday 6th to Saturday 10th May. |
| 29 | 12th May 2025 |
The fee for enrolling in this course is: €1,935.
If you would like to enrol on two Out Of School Subjects, the fee is €3,290.
All students joining our weekly classes now will receive access to recordings of all the classes for which they have enrolled. In addition, they will have access to recordings of the classes that have already taken place since the start of the course. This is an invaluable aid when it comes to revision. Class recordings are available to the end of State Exams 2025.
Please note:
- Card payments accepted.
- 10% reduction for the second and subsequent members of the same family, attending the same courses. Please contact our office to avail of this discount.
- Fees are non-transferable.
- An Installment payment option for fees is available. Please call our office on 01 661 3511 or email help@instituteofeduction.ie to avail of this payment plan.
For your convenience, our Out of School Subjects are mainly delivered online through Microsoft Teams – there’s no need to travel, and you can learn from the comfort of your own home.
Course notes are posted to you in advance so you can log in and take part in the live and fully interactive classes.
Please note:
Login details for online classes will be issued to students by email before the start of the course.
Our Frequently Asked Questions are below, but if you have any other questions, please contact info@instituteofeducation.ie.
Agricultural Science Studying Independently
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on each question for the answer>>
Q: How do I access my online classes?
A: Students enrolled on the course will receive an email from us containing their unique login details and links to access their chosen subjects. Login credentials will be sent in advance of course start date. Only those details sent to you will enable you to successfully access classes online.
Q: How are the online hosted?
A: All online classes are hosted live on Microsoft Teams. The links to the weekly classes are accessed via Moodle. Students must sign into both Moodle and MS Teams with the @instituteofeducation.ie login credentials sent to the student.
Q: Are the online classes pre-recorded?
A: No, each online class is streamed live. Recordings of classes will be available after each live class is completed. These can then be replayed as a revision aid.
Q: Will I have access to recordings of the live classes?
A: Yes, recordings of classes will be available after each live class is completed. These can then be replayed as a revision aid. These will be available up until the end of the State exams 2025.
Q: Are there any specific requirements to attending online classes?
A: We would advise that all students enrolling in our online grinds have the following:
• Access to a reliable wifi service.
• Access to a PC, Laptop, Tablet, or similar device.
• We would not recommend using a mobile phone.
• Headphones/earphones.
Q: If I'm attending the online classes will I have access to the notes?
A: Yes, students enrolled in online classes will receive a monthly delivery of notes for each chosen subject. Please allow five working days for delivery from the time of booking.
Q: Are the class notes available online?
A: No, a hard copy will be posted out to each student for the subjects they enrol in, on a monthly basis.
Q: How long is each weekly class?
A: Each class lasts 2 hours.
Q: How much is the fee per class?
A: The total fee for this course is €1,935.
Q: Can I cancel my classes and get a refund?
A: Yes, though please note: Classes are taught for 29 weeks. A refund (or partial refund) can be given for requests made on or before Week 17, 20th January 2025. A request for a refund can be made by contacting our office on 01 6613511 or helpdesk@instituteofeducation.ie
Q: How many weeks of tuition are there in the weekly course?
A: There are 29 weeks of tuition between September and May. Students will have one class per subject booked per week (29 classes).
Q: Are there any breaks or holidays during the year for students attending weekly classes?
A: Yes, the classes schedule generally follows the normal school calendar with breaks at mid-terms, Christmas & Easter. Please refer to the timetable for more details
Q: Is attendance at weekly classes and part-time courses monitored?
A: Yes, attendance is monitored for each class attended. The Institute however accepts no responsibility for students who fail to attend class.
Q: What style are the classes conducted in? Can students ask questions?
A: Our classes run in a more lecture style than most students might be used to in school, but they are also interactive, and teachers will use a variety of methods to ensure that students can learn and understand and feel comfortable asking questions and contributing to the class.
Q: For weekly classes, does the beginning of a new term mean the start of a new course?
A: No, in the weekly classes each subject commences in September and runs through to the end of the academic year in May. Students can catch up on what they have missed by reviewing the previous class recordings and notes.
Q: If I want to join weekly classes during the year, can I find out what is yet to be covered on the course and what I have missed?
A: Each teacher has their own individual teaching plan for the year and will be able to advise on this.
Q: My son/daughter cannot attend the weekly classes. Can we buy the notes?
A: No, teaching is a central part of all our courses and classes. The notes are to facilitate recall and revision of what was covered in class by the teacher.
Testimonials
It was like being in the classroom even though I was at home. The course was very useful and the notes are incredible!
– Brian, 6th Year Student
I liked how interactive it was and how comprehensively all the material was covered. I thought the teacher was excellent.
– Ava, 5th Year Student
My daughter attended classes at the Institute. She found the lessons to be excellent; well-structured and focused. The teachers were top-class and provided excellent advice and encouragement. The lecture notes are superb!
– Grainne (Parent)