Senior Cycle - Subject Choice 30 th April 2014

1. Senior Cycle - Subject Choice30th April 2014

2. Subject Choice Talk Outline • Senior Cycle – Core Subjects • Senior Cycle – Optional Subjects • Subject Choice – Decision Making • The Points System • General College Requirements • Specific College Requirements • Useful Tools • Summary

3. Compulsory Senior Cycle Subjects • English • Most HEIs require English. Some accept Irish instead, e.g. DCU, DIT. • Irish • NUI Colleges and Colleges of Education require Irish, e.g. Higher level required for Primary Teaching. • Maths* • OB3 in Maths required for many courses, e.g. Commerce. • Higher Maths required for certain courses, e.g. Actuary, Engineering. • *Bonus points (25) for Higher Level Maths. Students then select another 4/5 subjects to study from the options.

4. Optional Subjects for Senior Cycle 2014/2015

5. Language Subject Group Modern Languages: French, German, Spanish • Modern languages require students to be proficient in the following skills: Oral/Speaking, Written, Aural/Listening, Reading. • A wide variety of themes are covered, e.g. Family, School, Hobbies, Sport, Current Affairs. • Grammar and Cultural Awareness are essential elements of these courses. • At Third Level: - Can be combined with Computers, Business, Law. - OD3 required for entry to NUI Colleges (some exceptions). -Usually HC required in most language/language combined third level courses. Booklet Pages: 4,5, 6, 7

6. Language Subject Group Classical Language: Latin • Course focuses on written composition and comprehension of Latin texts. Poetry, historical records and Roman legends are studied in detail as well as Roman history, architecture and culture. • What kind of student might Latin suit? • Anyone with an interest in ancient Roman history and culture, and its influences on modern society. • Students who would like to gain a deeper understanding of English and other European languages. • Students who enjoyed and got good grades in Junior Cert Latin. • At Third Level: • Students aiming to work in medicine, zoology or botany, where Latin is widely used to classify species and body parts. • Satisfies language requirement for entry to TCD, UCD. Booklet Page: 8, 9

7. Laboratory Science Subject Group • A Snapshot of Science Requirements at Third Level: • OD in a science subject is required for many third level courses. A HB or HC is required for some courses. • 2 sciences are required for Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Human Genetics in TCD. • Chemistry is essential for Veterinary (UCD), for Pharmacy (TCD) and for Medicine and Dentistry (UCC). • It may be wise to consider choosing a science subject for Senior Cycle unless your son is struggling with science at Junior Cycle. Booklet Page: 14

8. Laboratory Science Subject Group Agricultural Science • Agricultural Science is the study of the science and technology underlying the principles and practices of agriculture. • Subject content includes soils, general structure and function of plants, farm crops, trees and shelter, structure and function of the animal body, farm buildings, farm-house environment. • LC examination consists of: a) Written Paper (75%) b) Portfolio (25%) • At Third Level: • Ag. Scienceis an accepted Laboratory Science subject for university matriculation. • *May not present Ag. Science as one of the two req. science subjects for Dental Science (TCD) from 2016. Booklet Page: 15

9. Laboratory Science Subject Group Biology • Biology is the study of human life and living organisms, e.g. Cloning, Bioethics, DNA finger printing, Stem Cell Research. • The syllabus: - 70% biological knowledge, understanding and skills; - 30% deals with the technological, political, social and economic aspects of biology. • At Third Level: • Requirement for entry into a number of third level courses, e.g. Genetics in UCC and Human Health and Disease in TCD. Booklet Page: 16

10. Laboratory Science Subject Group Chemistry • Chemistry deals with the study of substances that make up our environment and the changes these substances undergo. • Course includes 28 mandatory practical experiments, as well as a written paper including questions on the experiments and examining the theory and applications of chemistry. • At Third Level: • Requirement for entry into a number of third level courses, e.g. Dentistry (UCC), Medicine (UCC), Pharmacy (UCC)(TCD), Human Nutrition and Dietetics (DIT). Booklet Page: 17

11. Laboratory Science Subject Group Physics • Physics is the study of the laws and forces governing natural phenomena including heat, light, electricity and magnetism. • Leaving Cert topics include: light, sounds, mechanics, electricity, atomic physics, nuclear physics. • Course includes 28 mandatory experiments. • Strong grades in Junior Certificate Higher Level Maths and Science recommended to study Physics. • At Third Level: • Beneficial for courses in Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics and Science. • Requirement for entry into Theoretical Physics (TCD). Booklet Pages: 18, 19

12. Department of Materials Technology and Graphics

13. Construction Studies Booklet Page: 21

14. Course Content • Part 1 – Construction Theory and Drawing • Part 2 – Practical skills • Part 3 – Course work and projects

15. Part 1 – Construction Theory & Drawing • Historical Development of Building • Planning Process • Environmental impact assessments • Construction Details and Regulations • Services • Building Science

16. Construction Details & Regulations

18. Services Indirect Hot-water supply

19. Building Sciences • Light • Sound • Heat

20. Part 2 – Practical Skills • Woodworking Techniques • Health and Safety • Surface preparation and finishing • Preparation of cutting lists and working drawings • Selection and use of glues, fixings and fixtures • Design and use of gigs • Design Process

21. Part 3 – Course Work and Projects

25. Assessment • A three hour theory paper comprising written and drawing questions (50% of the examination marks) • A four hour woodwork practical test (25% of the examination marks) • Course work and project assessment (25% of the examination marks)

26. Sample Practical Exam4hr duration

27. Construction Studies • Construction Studies will further develop the practical skills attained by students of Materials Technology Wood (MTW) at Junior Cert Level . • However, not having MTW will not preclude students from taking Construction Studies to Leaving Certificate.

28. Construction Studies Requires the following aptitudes: • spatial perception • independent thinking and self-motivation • mathematical reasoning • mechanical reasoning • Sciences

29. Career Options • Civil/Structural Engineering • Architecture • Building Services • Teacher Training • Furniture Design and Manufacture • Apprenticeships

30. Construction Studies • A night class in Construction Studies is provided for those interested in taking it as an extra subject.

31. Design and Communication GraphicsBooklet Page: 22

32. (A)Plane and Descriptive Geometry Projection Systems Intersection and Development of surfaces Plane Geometry Descriptive Geometry of lines and planes Conic Sections (B) Communication of Design and Computer Graphics The Core (All sections are compulsory) Graphics in Design and Communication Communication of Design Freehand Drawing Information and Communication Technologies Dynamic Mechanisms Assemblies Structural forms Geologic Geometry Surface Geometry Options (Select any 2)

33. Core A Projection Systems

35. Core A Plane Geometry

36. Core A Intersection & Development of Surfaces

38. Core B • Graphics in design and communication • Communication of design • Freehand drawing • Information and communication technologies

47. Five optional areas – Study Two • Surface Geometry • Structural Forms • Geologic Geometry • Dynamic Mechanisms • Assemblies

48. Optional Area Surface Geometry

50. Structural forms