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The objective of this study was to assess, through a cross-institutional comparison, whether higher education institutions in the Republic of Ireland have responded to Bologna Declaration first- and second-cycle programme restructuring and applied the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to similarly-accredited civil engineering programmes in a consistent manner. Assessment strategies were also examined. The predominant programme structure was the pre-Bologna '4+1' structure, demonstrating limited national impact of the principles underpinning the Bologna Declaration cycle concept. The first-cycle programmes differed widely in terms of allocated student workload per ECTS credit as well as in the way that educational outcomes were assessed, which was primarily by written examination. There was no 'best' (or consensus) practice for applying the two-cycle programme structure or ECTS workload norms. This lack of national consensus reveals issues that may have relevance in other countries, 20 years after the signing of the Bologna Declaration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chemical, Runoff, Erosion from Agricultural Management Systems (CREAMS) model was used to simulate the long‐term relative effects of different agricultural best management practices (BMP's) on nitrogen losses to surface and groundwater systems. Soils, geology, climate, and cultural practices of watersheds representing coastal plain (Wye watershed), Piedmont (field A), and Appalachian (field E) physiographic regions in the Chesapeake Bay basin were selected for simulation purposes. Different tillage practices (conventional till and no‐till) with and without erosion control structures, with and without a nutrient management plan, and with and without winter cover were selected for the purpose of this study. The results showed that a nutrient management plan (NMP) plays a major role in reducing surface and groundwater loadings of nitrogen. Although different practices were identified as being best or worst case scenarios with respect to surface and ground‐water loadings, respectively, closer examination and overall ranking revealed no‐till (NT) with NMP to be the optimum BMP studied in both the Piedmont and Appalachian regions. It was also found that winter cover results in significant reductions in N losses to surface and ground‐water systems in the coastal plain physiographic region. This study suggests that ranking and selecting the proper BMP should be based on its impact on both surface and groundwater quality rather than on a single resource. This is especially important considering the fact that both human and other living resources use both surface and groundwater for drinking or habitual environment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BSTRACT: Utilizing predictions of pollutant movement generated by the CREAMS model, the economics of reducing field losses of sediment and nitrate percolation were compared between two soil types on each of two slopes common to the Upper Eastern Shore of Maryland. The soils considered were Matapeake silt loam and Sassafras sandy loam textures on field slopes of 3.5 percent and 7.5 percent. A representative cash grain farm was used as a basis of comparison. Under assumptions of profit maximization, economic optimal cropping systems varied by slope. Results further indicated that relative cost-effectiveness of sediment or nitrate percolation control varied by soil type for both slopes considered. Unit costs of sediment control were less on silt loam soils, while unit costs of nitrate percolation control were less on sandy loam soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT: Ground water quality is an environmental issue of national concern. Agricultural activities, because they involve large land areas, often are cited as a major contributor of ground water contaminants. It appears that some degree of ground water contamination from agricultural land use is inevitable, especially where precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration. For this reason, and because agriculture differs significantly from point sources of pollution, farmers, policymakers, and scientists need alternative management strategies by which to protect ground water. Mathematical models coupled to geographic information systems to form expert systems can be important management tools for both policymakers and agricultural producers. An expert system can provide farmers, researchers, and environmental managers with information by which to better manage agricultural production systems to minimize ground water contamination. Significant research is necessary to perfect such a system, necessitating interim ground water management strategies that include not only a strong research program, but educational and public policy components as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]