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UCC MicroCreds courses

Sustainability in the Dairy Sector (FS6211)

Course Fact File
CodeFS6211
Duration4 weeks online - 1 in person
Teaching ModePart-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
NFQ LevelLevel 9
Fees€1,600 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date10/09/2026
Venue

Classroom / site based.

 
Credits5
Start Date10/11/2026

Outline

Module Goal

This 5 credits, level 9 micro-credential provides participants with knowledge on sustainability and food systems with a specific focus on the challenges the dairy sector is facing to deliver in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development/

Module Content

The micro-credential is delivered via blended learning, involving a combination of online pre-recorded sessions and online live tutorials over 4 weeks, and 1 day of face-to-face activities in UCC.
  • Food systems, food supply chain and food value chain; definition of sustainability; sustainable diets and the link to the dairy industry; The from 'Farm to Fork; approach with a focus on dairy products; Strategies to achieve sustainability in the dairy sector; Evaluation of sustainability: Life Cycle Assessment.

We are on a gap year for the Diploma in Dairy Technology and Innovation. Graduates of the PG Cert in Dairy Technology and Innovation have the option of sitting modules as micro-credentials (individual 5-credit modules), with the opportunity to complete the remaining modules when the full Diploma resumes in 2027/28.

 

Additional Teaching Mode Information

  • 16 x 1hr(s) online asynchronous (any time learning) activities
  • 9 x  hr(s) practicals/laboratories

Practicalities

Continuous Assessment - 100 marks

  • Assignment - online open book short question exam - 60 marks
  • Assignment - poster development - 20 marks
  • Presentation - communication of topics presented in poster - 20 marks

Why Choose

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the concept of food systems, food supply chains and food value chains in the dairy sector.

  2. Define the term sustainability in relation to food and nutrition/diets and the impact on health and the environment, specifically for dairy products.

  3. Identify alternative ingredients that are more sustainable.

  4. List strategies to reduce waste.

  5. Explain the concept, terminology and tools of life cycle assessment.

Requirements

Industry personnel working in dairy processing and related dairy activities who would like to upskill or who wish to enter this industry.  

People working in R&D or PhD students who wish to learn about the sustainability aspects of the dairy sector.

Fees and Costs

€1,600

How To Apply

To apply for this module click the Apply Now button.  Once you have created your profile you can start your application by selecting the option below:

  • Gather any additional documents required (including a passport-style photo), copy of your degree parchment if not a previous UCC graduate.
  • The full module fee of will be payable on submission of your application.

In the application level tab select the options below and then select the programme/module you'd like to apply for

 

Apply Now

Contact Details

Micro-credentials

Micrea-dintiúir

Contact us

The Laurels, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, T12 EH31,

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