Subject Choice & Career Options 2017

1. Subject Choice & Career Options 2017 By F. Farrell Guidance Counsellor Portmarnock Community School F. Farrell PCS 2017

2. 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 2017

3. 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 2017

4. Subject Choice • Each student will study 4 optional subjects taken from any or all of 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 2017

5. 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 2017

6. Technical subjects – Junior Cert • Materials Technology/Woodwork becomes Construction Studies in the Senior Cycle. • Metalwork becomes Engineering in the Senior Cycle. • Technical Graphics is called Design and Communication Graphics in the Senior Cycle. • Technology remains Technology in the LC. • 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 2017

7. 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 2017

8. 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 H5 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 2017

9. 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 2017

10. 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 (H4 and previously C3) 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 2017

11. Examples of Course Requirements • Medicine (TCD) • H3+H4 in TWO of Chemistry, Physics or Biology • Computer applications (DCU, Level 8 degree) • O4 in ordinary level Maths. H4 (TCD) • Business Studies (Level 8 degree) • O4 in ordinary level Maths or H6 in HL. • Engineering courses (Level 8 degree) • Honours Maths (H4), 1 science subject • Note: Physics is a good indicator for engineering F. Farrell PCS 2017

12. New Leaving Cert Points System • H1/O1 90-100 % 100/56 pts • H2/O2 80-89 % 88/46 • H3/O3 70-79 % 77/37 • H4/O4 60-69 % 66/28 • H5/O5 50-59 % 56/20 • H6/06 40-49 % 46/12 • H7/O7 30-39 % 37/0 • 25 bonus points will be awarded for HL level Maths at grade H6 or above F. Farrell PCS 2017

13. 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. • Students must attain a good score in mathematics however to progress to all level 8 degree in engineering following completion of level 7/8 levels. F. Farrell PCS 2017

14. 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 2017

15. 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 H1 to H6 in HL Maths). • Maximum attainment of 600 points. • Minimum requirements = 2 H5’s for example. F. Farrell PCS 2017

16. HL Maths • HL Maths students are awarded an extra 25 points on attaining grade H6 or better in their LC. • Whether a candidate attains a H1 or a H6 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 2017

17. 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.careersportal.ie F. Farrell PCS 2017

18. 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 2017

19. Transition Year Subject Choice Programme 1. The school’s programme outlined 2. Subject choice procedure F. Farrell PCS 2017

20. Schools Programme • Senior Cycle Modules • Career Classes • Work Experience Programme • Careers Exhibition • Aptitude Tests (Dats) • Interest Inventory • Career Project • Careers Interview F. Farrell PCS 2017

21. 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 2017

22. OPEN FORUM • Questions?? F. Farrell PCS 2017