Fifth Year Subject ChoiceFifth Year Subject Choice

Implications for the futureImplications for the future

Seventeen subjects on offerSeventeen subjects on offer

Choose any fourChoose any four

Not prevented from Not prevented from entering any third level entering any third level coursecourse

Making a Wise ChoiceMaking a Wise Choice

• What subject am I most interested in?What subject am I most interested in?

• What subject am I likely to be best at?What subject am I likely to be best at?

• What subjects will I need?What subjects will I need?

• Balanced choice of subjectsBalanced choice of subjects

Three Hurdles to College EntryThree Hurdles to College Entry

•Matriculation RequirementsMatriculation Requirements

•Subject RequirementsSubject Requirements

•PointsPoints

Matriculation RequirementsMatriculation Requirements

The Matriculation Requirement is the The Matriculation Requirement is the minimumminimum academic qualification for academic qualification for entry that a Third Level College entry that a Third Level College demands from a studentdemands from a student

Colleges that Require a Minimum Colleges that Require a Minimum D3 at Ordinary LevelD3 at Ordinary Level

N.U.I.N.U.I. English, Irish, and a Third English, Irish, and a Third LanguageLanguage

TrinityTrinity English, Maths and a Third English, Maths and a Third LanguageLanguage

U.L.U.L. English, Maths and a Third English, Maths and a Third LanguageLanguage

D.C.U.D.C.U. Maths & English or IrishMaths & English or Irish

I.T’sI.T’s Maths & English or IrishMaths & English or Irish

Colleges Colleges

of Ed.of Ed. Maths & English & Irish (HC3)Maths & English & Irish (HC3)

Others Others VaryVary

Course Requirements/Subject Course Requirements/Subject RequirementsRequirements

Particular courses may require grades Particular courses may require grades at certain levels, in particular subjectsat certain levels, in particular subjects

Some examples are:Some examples are:

Maynooth -Electronic Engineering-Maynooth -Electronic Engineering-Maths HC3Maths HC3

RCSI-Medicine-Laboratory Science or RCSI-Medicine-Laboratory Science or Maths HB3Maths HB3

TCD-Medicine- 2 Lab Science Subjects-TCD-Medicine- 2 Lab Science Subjects-HB3 &HC3HB3 &HC3

If you are considering going to UCC, If you are considering going to UCC, UCD, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, RCSI UCD, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, RCSI a third language should be among a third language should be among your chosen subjectsyour chosen subjects

A recent significant change has been A recent significant change has been the dropping of this requirement for the dropping of this requirement for Engineering and Science courses in Engineering and Science courses in Maynooth, for Engineering, Science Maynooth, for Engineering, Science and Agricultural Science in UCD and and Agricultural Science in UCD and for Engineering, Science and Food for Engineering, Science and Food Science in UCCScience in UCC

If you are considering Medical, If you are considering Medical, Paramedical, Nursing, Science or Paramedical, Nursing, Science or Engineering courses you should Engineering courses you should select a laboratory science select a laboratory science subject or subject or twotwo for some courses for some courses

PointsPoints

• Points are allocated for the six best Points are allocated for the six best grades grades

• Grades must be achieved in one Grades must be achieved in one sitting of the Leaving Certificatesitting of the Leaving Certificate

• Entry to a course will be granted to Entry to a course will be granted to those who have highest pointsthose who have highest points

• Colleges do not set the pointsColleges do not set the points

• The points reflect: the results of the The points reflect: the results of the student and the number of places student and the number of places available in the college on that yearavailable in the college on that year

Entry requirements for Third Level Entry requirements for Third Level courses vary from course to courses vary from course to course so you must refer to the course so you must refer to the relevant literature or information relevant literature or information given on the websites.given on the websites.

Go into CAO website for pointsGo into CAO website for points

Important PointsImportant PointsRemember that the Leaving Certificate Remember that the Leaving Certificate

requires a great amount of hard work requires a great amount of hard work over two years. It is easier to work over two years. It is easier to work hard if you have chosen, hard if you have chosen, in so far as in so far as possiblepossible, subjects you like., subjects you like.

It is easier to be motivated if you have It is easier to be motivated if you have a sense of purpose, a clear goal in a sense of purpose, a clear goal in your sight, a particular career area, your sight, a particular career area, etc.etc.

A good level of education can only A good level of education can only improve a students chances. Everyone improve a students chances. Everyone has ability, but they must use it fullyhas ability, but they must use it fully..

AccountingAccounting• Suits the organized, methodical Suits the organized, methodical

person who likes definite answers and person who likes definite answers and has an interest in working with figureshas an interest in working with figures

• Students considering a career in Students considering a career in accountancy are recommended to accountancy are recommended to study accountancy.study accountancy.

• Accountancy is a major component Accountancy is a major component of all Business Studies coursesof all Business Studies courses..

Agricultural ScienceAgricultural Science

• Agricultural Science is a life science Agricultural Science is a life science and a very good base for many and a very good base for many biological courses of biological biological courses of biological nature. Acceptable as a science nature. Acceptable as a science requirement for most courses that requirement for most courses that accept Biology.accept Biology.

• AssessmentAssessment

25%-School Based –Research Project, 25%-School Based –Research Project, Practicals, Field Study, Farm ProjectPracticals, Field Study, Farm Project

75%-State Examination75%-State Examination

Applied MathematicsApplied Mathematics

• It is not advanced maths – it is basic It is not advanced maths – it is basic maths used in practical applicationsmaths used in practical applications

• Need to have taken Maths at higher Need to have taken Maths at higher level for the Junior Certificatelevel for the Junior Certificate

• Methodical in nature – problems Methodical in nature – problems solved by a standard methodsolved by a standard method

• Engineering, Sport Science, Engineering, Sport Science, Computing, Architecture, Many Computing, Architecture, Many TechnicalTechnical Courses Courses

ArtArt

Highly versatile subject that prepares Highly versatile subject that prepares students for a wide range of careersstudents for a wide range of careers

Encourages creative development and Encourages creative development and problem solving through the design problem solving through the design processprocess

Interior Design, Product Design, Graphic Interior Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, Media, TV and Film Production, Design, Media, TV and Film Production, Photography, Fashion Design, Photography, Fashion Design, ArchitectureArchitecture

BiologyBiology

• Knowledge of the science of Biology is Knowledge of the science of Biology is essential for understanding human life essential for understanding human life and the living environment around us.and the living environment around us.

• Biology is a subject which leads directly to Biology is a subject which leads directly to many biologically oriented Third Level many biologically oriented Third Level coursescourses

• Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, GeneticsBiochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, , NursingNursing

BusinessBusiness

• A subject that is a practical and A subject that is a practical and vocationally oriented course that vocationally oriented course that introduces students in simple logical introduces students in simple logical steps to the world of businesssteps to the world of business

• Business aims to create an awareness of Business aims to create an awareness of the importance of enterprisethe importance of enterprise

• Business is an intricate part of any Third Business is an intricate part of any Third Level Business course and is relevant to Level Business course and is relevant to numerous career opportunities.numerous career opportunities.

ChemistryChemistry

• The study of chemistry is desirable for The study of chemistry is desirable for those who wish to pursue a career in those who wish to pursue a career in science or ones allied to sciencescience or ones allied to science

• It is a central foundation science subject It is a central foundation science subject which makes it ideal to pair with Physics which makes it ideal to pair with Physics and Applied Maths or Biology and Home and Applied Maths or Biology and Home Economics for example.Economics for example.

• Most students doing the following courses Most students doing the following courses would do chemistry - Human Nutrition, would do chemistry - Human Nutrition, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary, Medicine Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary, Medicine and Applied Chemistryand Applied Chemistry

ConstructionConstruction• Construction Studies is the study of the Construction Studies is the study of the

construction of buildings and why they are construction of buildings and why they are made the way they aremade the way they are

• Need to have done Technical Graphics or Need to have done Technical Graphics or Technology WoodTechnology Wood

• A practical course:A practical course:

Project - 25%Project - 25% Practical - 25% Written 50% Practical - 25% Written 50%

• Engineering, Construction Industry, Engineering, Construction Industry, Interior Design, Architecture, Quantity Interior Design, Architecture, Quantity Surveyor, TradesSurveyor, Trades

Design and Communication Design and Communication GraphicsGraphics

• Replacing Technical Drawing at Senior Replacing Technical Drawing at Senior CycleCycle

• Main change from the old course is Main change from the old course is Computer Aided Design (CAD) that is Computer Aided Design (CAD) that is the use of computers to draw in 3Dthe use of computers to draw in 3D

• Assessment:Assessment:Drawing Examination-60%Drawing Examination-60%Assignment-(Design, Freehand Assignment-(Design, Freehand Drawing,CAD)-40%Drawing,CAD)-40%

• Architecture, Engineering, Interior Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, ConstructionDesign, Construction

EconomicsEconomics• Economics is a great link subject. It is Economics is a great link subject. It is

relevant to business, journalism, relevant to business, journalism, politics, sociology, geography, history, politics, sociology, geography, history, mediamedia

• An intergal and very important An intergal and very important component of Business Courses.component of Business Courses.

• Economics is a component of many other Economics is a component of many other coursescourses

European Studies, Arts, Law, Politics, European Studies, Arts, Law, Politics, JournalismJournalism

German/FrenchGerman/French

Necessary for entry to quite a number Necessary for entry to quite a number of courses in of courses in

NUI Universities and RCSI. Note Slide NUI Universities and RCSI. Note Slide 88

Assessment -Assessment - OralOral

Listening ComprehensionListening Comprehension

Reading ComprehensionReading Comprehension

Various Written TestsVarious Written Tests

GeographyGeography• Geography is concerned with Geography is concerned with

understanding the world around us understanding the world around us and the relationship between the and the relationship between the physical world and the peoplephysical world and the people

• Assessment:Assessment:Geographical Investigation – 20%Geographical Investigation – 20%Fieldwork on a topic chosen from a Fieldwork on a topic chosen from a list which is changed annuallylist which is changed annuallyWritten examination – 80%Written examination – 80%

• Arts, Town Planning, Environmental Arts, Town Planning, Environmental Science, Tourism, MeteorologyScience, Tourism, Meteorology

HistoryHistory• Now more emphasis on social, Now more emphasis on social,

economic and cultural areaseconomic and cultural areas

• One topic is a document based study One topic is a document based study which involves skills of working with which involves skills of working with evidenceevidence

• A research study is required which will A research study is required which will take a year and is submitted around take a year and is submitted around Easter-time before the Leaving Easter-time before the Leaving CertificateCertificate

• Law, Town Planning, Archaeology, Law, Town Planning, Archaeology, Economics, Administration, Sociology, Economics, Administration, Sociology, Museum and Library WorkMuseum and Library Work

Home Economics-Social & Home Economics-Social & ScientificScientific• Home Economics is an applied subject Home Economics is an applied subject

combining theory and practicecombining theory and practice

• Three core sections - Food Studies-45% Three core sections - Food Studies-45% ResourceResource

• Management and Consumer Studies-25% Management and Consumer Studies-25% Social Studies-10%Social Studies-10%

Three Electives – One to be chosenThree Electives – One to be chosen

Home Design And Management -Home Design And Management -Textiles, Fashion and Design - Social Textiles, Fashion and Design - Social StudiesStudies

• Assessment –Practicals-20% - November Assessment –Practicals-20% - November LCYLCY

It is possible to take up this It is possible to take up this subject in subject in Fifth Year without having Fifth Year without having done it done it beforebefore

Food and Culinary Arts, Food Food and Culinary Arts, Food Science, Science, Nutrition, Hotel and Nutrition, Hotel and Catering Catering Management, Chef, Management, Chef, Interior Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Fashion Design, Product DevelopmentProduct Development

MusicMusic• The syllabus structure provides a fully The syllabus structure provides a fully

balanced musical experience central to balanced musical experience central to which is the development of musicalitywhich is the development of musicality

• Performance 50% (IT 25% Sibelius)- Performance 50% (IT 25% Sibelius)- Listening 25% - Composition 25% -Listening 25% - Composition 25% -

• Media Studies, Sound Engineering, Media Studies, Sound Engineering, Performance,Performance,

Film StudiesFilm Studies

It is possible to pick up Music even if you It is possible to pick up Music even if you have not done it to Junior Cert. All that is have not done it to Junior Cert. All that is required is to be able to sing or have a required is to be able to sing or have a knowledge of a musical instrument, knowledge of a musical instrument, eg.Guitareg.Guitar

PhysicsPhysics• What is it?What is it?• Mechanics – satellites, collisions, acceleration of a Mechanics – satellites, collisions, acceleration of a

carcar• Optics – optical fibres, correcting faulty eyesight, Optics – optical fibres, correcting faulty eyesight,

mirrorsmirrors

Heat – different temperature scales, Heat – different temperature scales, refrigeratorsrefrigeratorsWaves – spectra of light, loudness of soundsWaves – spectra of light, loudness of soundsElectricity & Magnetism – generatorsElectricity & Magnetism – generatorsAtomic & Nuclear Physics – TV tubes, Atomic & Nuclear Physics – TV tubes, transistorstransistors

• Engineering, Medical, Telecommunications, Engineering, Medical, Telecommunications, Electronic, Information TechnologyElectronic, Information Technology

Note the followingNote the following

• Classes in any subject will only go Classes in any subject will only go ahead if sufficient numbers choose itahead if sufficient numbers choose it

• Numbers for particular classes may Numbers for particular classes may be limitedbe limited

• In so far as possible students will be In so far as possible students will be given their subject choicegiven their subject choice

• It is very important when choosing It is very important when choosing the subjects to put them in the subjects to put them in preference order.preference order.

• You choose You choose fourfour choice subjects with choice subjects with a a fifthfifth as a backup as a backup