Subject Choice & Career Options 2016

Subject Choice & Career Options 2016 By F. Farrell Guidance Counsellor Portmarnock Community School F. Farrell PCS 2016

Agenda • To examine the importance of choosing the right subjects by looking at: • General college requirements • Specific course requirements • To explain the school’s programme in relation to subject choice • To explain the procedure of subject choice F. Farrell PCS 2016

Leaving Cert. subject choice in PCS. Optional subjects: Four areas • Business area (Accounting, Business, Economics.) • Sciences area (Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Applied Maths, Geography). • Technology area (Engineering, Construction studies, Design and Communication Graphics). • Humanities and Applied area (Art, languages, Music, Home Economics, History, etc). F. Farrell PCS 2016

Subject Choice • Each student will study 4 optional subjects taken from the four main areas. • It is possible to study a number of subjects in the same area i.e. Accounting, business and economics. • Students may only choose one modern language however. • Religion is not offered as an examinable leaving cert subject in PCS although students may study it as a leaving cert subject outside of PCS. • Students wishing to study Applied Maths, Physics and/or Chemistry should have reasonably strong mathematical aptitudes. • It is advisable that students choose a modern language as one of their subject options. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Leaving Certificate in PCS • Core subjects • Irish* (excluding exempted students) • English • Maths* *Irish and Maths are offered at Higher and Ordinary levels. English is also offered at Ordinary and Higher levels. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Technical subjects – Junior Cert • Materials Technology/Wood becomes Construction Studies in the Senior Cycle. • Technology becomes Engineering in the Senior Cycle. • Technical Graphics is called Design and Communication Graphics in the Senior Cycle. • Students may choose to study any of the above subjects to Leaving Cert level without having done them for the Junior Cert. However, DCG may be particularly difficult to pursue as the theory from JC is carried through and is a substantial element in the overall programme. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Career possibilities in the technical areas: • Construction Studies (Architecture, Building Services, Quantity Surveyor, etc.) • Engineering (Mechanical/production engineering but a useful subject for all areas of Engineering). • DCG (Engineering, Architecture, Product Design, Draughtsperson). F. Farrell PCS 2016

Subject description - Languages • Many3rdlevel colleges require students to have a pass a in a modern language to enter their college course. • Students may choose to study either French, Spanish or German at both OL and HL. • 25% of the marks are allocated to the oral language component and 20% is allocated to the aural/listening component. The remaining marks are for reading comprehension and higher level written tasks. • Students may consider to study one of the above languages by themselves or receive private tuition outside of PCS. This situation may arise where a student may prefer to study another subject in PCS instead of a modern language. • To obtain a D3 in OL French, German or Spanish is relatively straightforward. F. Farrell PCS 2016

History • New course introduced in 2006 • A very popular course. Over 12,000 students sat the exam in 2015. • The course is quite large however and involves a great deal of written work, essay writing etc. • Up to 20% of the final result is already achieved before the final exam in June of the Leaving Cert year. • Students with poor literacy skills may struggle in this subject. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Geography • More than 19,000 students sat the exam in 2014. • Large, detailed and wide-ranging course – constant work needed for 2 years. • Students need to be proficient in essay writing, diagram drawing, mathematical/graphical interpretation and drawing. • Geographical Investigation – worth 20% of LC exam – involves fieldwork and writing of a 1,000 word investigation project to be submitted before the LC exam. • The subject involves a lot of learning and memory work, logical thinking, linking concepts for different areas of the course and essay structuring/writing. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Applied Maths • For potential engineers, applied maths comes highly recommended. • It complements both physics and maths very well as there is quite a lot of overlap. • Applied maths is accepted by TCD as a science subject into both the science and pharmacy faculties. • Applied maths is favoured by those with mathematical minds. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Engineering • With the main emphasis on mechanical engineering, engineering comprises a practical exam, a student project and a final examination. • Workshops and bench work make it a very labour intensive subject. • Health and safety, an in-depth study of metals and plastics, technology and manufacturing processes are all large sections of the course which make it a great basis for any student considering engineering, especially, mechanical engineering as a career. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Construction studies • This is both a practical and theoretical subject. • A practical exam, student project and a terminal written exam make up the total marks for this subject. • Practical skills involving tools and processes are taught to students throughout the course. • Construction theory and drawing are studied for the final exam investigating heat and thermal effects, illumination, sound, substructure and the superstructure. • The subject has proven very popular with students with more than 9,000 students sitting the final exam in 2015. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Technology • This subject was first examined in 2012 when more than 900 students sat the exam. • Technology focuses on quality management, design, materials and structures as well as management skills. • The subject aims to boost students’ ability to apply knowledge and skills to evaluate technology and to equip them with an understanding of the principles of engineering, design and project management. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Design and communication Graphics • DCG has taken the place of Technical Drawing for LC. • It was first examined in 2009 when 6,000 students sat the exam. • Students have the advantage of having up to 40% of the total marks through project work before sitting the final exam in June. • DCG helps to further the students’ cognitive and practical skills such as graphic communication, problem-solving, spatial visualisation, design capabilities, computer graphics and much more. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Home Economics • Nearly 13,000 students sat this exam in 2015. • Students can have gained up to 20% of their final grade before sitting the final exam in June by completing practical coursework. • The syllabus has a wide range of topics from food studies, resources management, consumer studies and social studies to electives (options) such as home design and management and fashion and design. • The subject offers students knowledge and understanding as well as skills essential for their adult lives. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Biology • More than 30,000 students sat this paper in 2015. • The syllabus requires a lot of memory work. • The new syllabus focuses on 1. study of cell life 2. The cell 3. The organism with 22 mandatory activities. • All experimentations are followed by write-ups. • For those students considering medicine, nursing, ecology, biotechnology etc biology will benefit you tremendously throughout your studies. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Chemistry • Chemistry has been the second most popular subject for some time now. • Chemistry students are required tom learn off information about molecules, bonding, organic chemistry etc. • Those considering nutrition, medicine and other related courses should consider taking chemistry. Chemistry is mandatory for pharmacy and dietetics at 3rd level. • Students with poor mathematical ability should avoid taking chemistry. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Physics • Physics is often referred to as being the most mathematical subject area of the sciences. • Physics aims to enhance students’ ability to observe, think, and understand scientific method. • For those students considering a career in engineering, astronomy and other related courses, physics will be of huge importance in their future studies. • Students wishing to study physics should be very comfortable in maths. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Business • The subject is suited to students who are willing to work hard and caters for all abilities. • Not necessary to write long essays as answers are presented in bullet points. • The course is factual and requires a lot of learning and contains only a few mathematical/numercial elements. • It is not necessary for students to have studied JC Business Studies this this would be a great help. • Business is a practical and logical subject. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Economics • Economics is regarded as the most practical of the business subjects. • Economics deals with the real business issues such as supply and demand, production and consumption, money and banking as well as economic policies, problems and conflicts. • Students should be comfortable with numbers and OL LC maths. • For those considering a career in banking in particular, economics is a very worthwhile subject choice. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Accountancy • Commonly perceived as the mathematical/numerical side of business, accounting attracts the more numerical students. • Accounting is concerned with the preparation, recording, extraction, presentation and analysis of financial information for the purpose of making economic decisions. • The course also involves a management accounting section where the student will learn how to analyse business costs and how to prepare budgets. • Students do not need to study LC accountancy to do accountancy at third level. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Art • Students sit only the History and Appreciation of Art as the final exam in June of the LC year. This is worth 37.5% of all marks. • Students are at a great advantage of having completed up to 62.5% of their total marks prior to sitting the terminal exam. • This 62.5% is made up of life sketching, design or craftwork and imaginative composition or still life. • It is not necessary to study artin the Leaving Cert to be able to progress into a general ‘art’ degree at 3rd level. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Music • LC music tests students’ skills in three main areas: performing, listening and composing. • Each of these sections is worth 25% of the final grade. • The final grade of 25% goes towards an elective where students can specialise in any one of those categories based on which best suits their ability. • More than 95% of HL music students choose performing as their elective. This section is examined during a 2 week examining period in March or April depending on the year in question. F. Farrell PCS 2016

College Entry Requirements • General College Requirements: • Honours Degree requirements (LEVEL 8): • Higher Cert/Ordinary Degree requirements -LEVELS 6/7: • Specific Course Requirements i.e. Higher Level C3 English for Journalism in DCU. • Points - reflect demand of year in question! • Interview/Portfolio/Performance/Fitness Test • (Architecture, Theatre/Dance, Video production, Art College). F. Farrell PCS 2016

Subject Requirements • Maths, English & Irish - most commonly required. • A 3rd Language is generally required by the NUI colleges except for engineering and science based courses. • Most Business courses state a requirement in OL Maths - not a business subject! • An Art portfolio is required for most art related courses - Art itself may not be required! • A minimum of at least one science subject and/or Maths is generally required for the following fields: • Nursing, Medical/paramedical, Science, Engineering. • Level 7 common science DIT – no lab science subject required. F. Farrell PCS 2016

Faculty Requirements (examples) • A laboratory science subject is NO longer required for Architecture in UCD but a foreign language is required. Suitability test/Portfolio requirement for DIT. • A modern language is required for Speech Therapy. • Honours Maths is required for all level 8 engineering degrees. • One laboratory science subject for nursing and generally two for medicine (except UCD/UCG). F. Farrell PCS 2016

Examples of Course Requirements • Medicine (UCC) • HC in Chemistry + HC in Physics or Biology • Computer Systems (UL, Level 8 degree) • B3 in ordinary level Maths/HC3 (TCD) • Business Studies (UL, Level 8 degree) • C3 in ordinary level Maths • Engineering courses (Level 8 degree) • Honours Maths (HC3), 1 science subject • Note: Physics is a good indicator for engineering F. Farrell PCS 2016

IT Colleges ‘Ladder’ system • The IT Colleges offer a ‘ladder system’ in respect of all engineering degrees (amongst others). • A student can access all level 6 and level 7 degrees with pass maths in the Leaving Cert and can progress to level 8. • IT Blanchardstown allows students to do the Level 8 Mechatronics and Common engineering programmes with O.L. maths (5 year LEVEL 8 degree). F. Farrell PCS 2016

Useful Subject Groupings in PCS • Home Economics and Business. • Engineering with Physics or Construction studies. • A Science subject like Chemistry or Physics with Applied Maths. • Business with Modern languages. F. Farrell PCS 2016

CAO Points system (guidelines) • A student may only count his/her six best subjects. • Only the points from one Leaving Certificate sitting can be used. • All Subjects except HL Maths equal in terms of points value. (25 bonus points for A1 to D3 in HL Maths). • Maximum attainment of 600 points. • Minimum requirements = 2 HC3’s for example. F. Farrell PCS 2016

HL Maths • HL Maths students are awarded an extra 25 points on attaining a grade D3 or better in their LC. • Whether a candidate attains a D3 or an A1 the extra points allocated remains the same. • The bonus points can only be counted for CAO purposes if Maths features in one of the 6 subjects used to calculate aggregate points score. F. Farrell PCS 2016

What to research! • Check the relevant college/employer literature • check the overall college requirements • check the course requirement • subject • grades/level • Check the course content - • this will highlight what subjects are predominant • Good websites include • www.qualifax.ie; www.skoool.ie; www.careerdirections.ie • www.careersportal.ie F. Farrell PCS 2016

Subject Choice - Guidelines • Pick the best senior cycle option for you! • Established Leaving Certificate • Pick the subjects you are most interested in. • Maximise your points. • Achieve grades specified by employers or colleges. • Pick the essential subjects for your hoped course or career. • Mistakes can be made in career decisions! F. Farrell PCS 2016

Schools Programme • Senior Cycle Modules • Career Classes • Work Experience Programme • Careers Exhibition • Aptitude Tests (Dats) • Interest Inventory • Career Project • Careers Interview F. Farrell PCS 2016

Summary • Maximise your options for college: • Maths, English, Irish, a modern European Language, 1 science subject. • Remember to research • appropriate careers websites • college/employer websites/literature • Important to check the grade/level required. • Pick the subjects you are most interested in or have an aptitude for! • Remember a lot of courses do not require any specific subjects! F. Farrell PCS 2016

OPEN FORUM • Questions?? F. Farrell PCS 2016

Subject Choice & Career Options 2016