St Bricins College

1. St Bricins College Traditional Leaving Certificate Subject Choice Mr. Paul Dolan Guidance Counsellor

2. Leaving Certificate Programme Leaving Certificate is a 2 year programme. Full time commitment required over 2 years. 5th year is very important especially for those hoping to gain entry to high points courses. Usually a maximum of 7 subjects are taken for the Leaving Certificate. An extra (7th) subject? – need to think very carefully about this as each LC subject is extensive and requires a lot of work. Big jump in standard from J.C. Other subjects could suffer if workload is too great. For points purposes best 6 subjects are counted. Almost all subjects are of equal importance. Extra points are awarded in all courses in the University of Limerick for honours Mathematics. Extra points are awarded in DT021 for honours in Mathematics and certain science subjects.

3. Points System Grade Honours Ordinary A1 100 60 A2 90 50 B1 85 45 B2 80 40 B3 75 35 C1 70 30 C2 65 25 C3 60 20 D1 55 15 D2 50 10 D3 45 5 LCVP points Distinction 70 Merit 50 Pass 30 LCVP POINTSLCVP POINTS

4. Leaving Certificate Programme Highly Desirable Subjects Unless there is a substantial reason otherwise, all students should definitely consider choosing: a modern language (NUI*) a science subject. Subject Levels Higher and Ordinary level ? all subjects. Foundation level ?Mathematics & Irish. Particular care needs to be taken with Mathematics. Failure in this subject can be detrimental to overall L.C. LC subject selection Core subjects: English, Mathematics & Irish* Optional subjects: Usually 4 other subjects are chosen Business Given the rapidly changing world of business, this subject deals with current day-to-day reality of Business itself. It is a very interesting subject, but requires constant attention to the business pages of the quality newspapers. It looks at how organisations are formed, financed and run. It also explores the services that support businesses such as insurance, banking, transport, marketing and public service bodies such as the IDA, Fáilte Ireland etc. Economics. Economics has a mathematical slant and has a lot of graphic and theoretical work. It explores the inner working of companies, and how they measure their success and progress. At a macro level it examines International Trade, the role of Government and the EU in controlling the economy, competition and markets. This is a good subject for the analytical student. Accounting Students who enjoy the book keeping part of Junior Certificate Business should consider taking Accounting. At Leaving Certificate level, analysis and interpretation of accounts is the core activity. For those with strong numeracy and reasoning skills this can be a very enjoyable and successful subject. Religious Education Religious Education was examined for the first time in 2005, with high grades achieved by the small number of candidates taking this subject. Students are introduced to the dialogue between science and religious in the exploration of meaning and values in our societies. The programme introduces students to both Philosophy and Psychology. Twenty percent of the marks in this subject are awarded for the student’s journal, which is pre-submitted prior to the examination.  Music & Art. Not subjects to be dipped into for the first time at this level. Most students taking either option will be following on from Junior Certificate level. At Leaving Certificate level, Art involves a lot of work on the History and appreciation of Art alongside the normal design and craftwork. Construction Studies, Engineering, Technical Drawing. These practical subjects where available, give students hands on experience working with tools, machinery and physical things like plastics, wood and metal. Students who enjoy working with their hands get to design and make products. Students also have to undertake quite an amount of theoretical and background work for their final examinations. Business Given the rapidly changing world of business, this subject deals with current day-to-day reality of Business itself. It is a very interesting subject, but requires constant attention to the business pages of the quality newspapers. It looks at how organisations are formed, financed and run. It also explores the services that support businesses such as insurance, banking, transport, marketing and public service bodies such as the IDA, Fáilte Ireland etc. Economics. Economics has a mathematical slant and has a lot of graphic and theoretical work. It explores the inner working of companies, and how they measure their success and progress. At a macro level it examines International Trade, the role of Government and the EU in controlling the economy, competition and markets. This is a good subject for the analytical student. Accounting Students who enjoy the book keeping part of Junior Certificate Business should consider taking Accounting. At Leaving Certificate level, analysis and interpretation of accounts is the core activity. For those with strong numeracy and reasoning skills this can be a very enjoyable and successful subject. Religious Education Religious Education was examined for the first time in 2005, with high grades achieved by the small number of candidates taking this subject. Students are introduced to the dialogue between science and religious in the exploration of meaning and values in our societies. The programme introduces students to both Philosophy and Psychology. Twenty percent of the marks in this subject are awarded for the student’s journal, which is pre-submitted prior to the examination.  Music & Art. Not subjects to be dipped into for the first time at this level. Most students taking either option will be following on from Junior Certificate level. At Leaving Certificate level, Art involves a lot of work on the History and appreciation of Art alongside the normal design and craftwork. Construction Studies, Engineering, Technical Drawing. These practical subjects where available, give students hands on experience working with tools, machinery and physical things like plastics, wood and metal. Students who enjoy working with their hands get to design and make products. Students also have to undertake quite an amount of theoretical and background work for their final examinations.

5. Optional Subjects (4) BUSINESS Business SCIENCE Biology Phy-Chem LANGUAGES French APPLIED SCIENCES Home Economics Construction Studies Design and Communication Graphics SOCIAL STUDIES History Geography Music Art History. This year is the first time students will be examined in the new curriculum. The balance of the course has moved away from a predominant political emphasis, to encompass both social and cultural history. The identification of evidence and primary sources is central to studying history. Students can now secure up to 20% of the overall marks by pre-submitting a research paper on a selected topic, from a range set out by the State Examinations Commission. Essay writing is central to the programme. Students have to present three essays in their Higher Leaving Certificate paper, plus a documents question. Ordinary level students should benefit from the opportunity to prepare a research question under the revised curriculum. Geography. This subject studies the interrelationship between human activity and the physical environment. It is an extremely wide curriculum, with students having the opportunity to undertake a geographic investigation, which is allocated 20% of the overall marks in the final examination, and is pre-submitted by the end of April in the year of the students leaving certificate. For both Science and Pharmacy at TCD, geography is accepted as a science subject for entry requirements. Continental Languages. The three main elements of the study of modern languages are comprehension, oral and written presentation. Be mindful of the Aural and Oral requirements. There is a strong emphasis now is on the ability to comprehend and converse in the language studied, and this is reflected in the fact, that a third of the final marks awarded, are for Aural and Oral work. Studying a continental language today requires you to culturally immerse yourself in the spoken, written world of its users. Applied Math’s. A very suitable subject for the student taking higher-level Math’s and Physics. Physics. Physics has a strong Maths element and requires the learning off of many formulae. It develops students understanding of many of the ordinary things that surround us such as heat, light, electricity and magnetism. Students must maintain a laboratory book, as there are twenty-seven mandatory experiments, of which four are offered on the leaving certificate paper, with three to be presented. Chemistry Students taking Chemistry, have to learn off the chemical components of a series of prescribed experiments. They will be required to present the elements of four such experiments in their examination. Again, students studying chemistry, develop an understanding of key elements of the world we live in, such as water as well as everything we use wear or consume. Biology Students studying Biology explore the world of all living things from micro-organisms to humans. As with the other science subjects, students undertake twenty-four mandatory experiments, the details of which they record in their laboratory book. It is often perceived as an easier subject than Physics and chemistry, but this is not so, as shown by the high failure rates at ordinary level. Social & Scientific. A combination of Cooking, Home Economics some Biology and a bit of Business. A very interesting subject, but not the easy honours that some imagine. Twenty percent of the marks are awarded for a course work journal, done within normal class time, and pre-submitted in October of 6th year, prior to the written examination. The study of Food Science is a central part of this subject. Students also have the option of studying one of Social Studies, Textiles or Home Design.History. This year is the first time students will be examined in the new curriculum. The balance of the course has moved away from a predominant political emphasis, to encompass both social and cultural history. The identification of evidence and primary sources is central to studying history. Students can now secure up to 20% of the overall marks by pre-submitting a research paper on a selected topic, from a range set out by the State Examinations Commission. Essay writing is central to the programme. Students have to present three essays in their Higher Leaving Certificate paper, plus a documents question. Ordinary level students should benefit from the opportunity to prepare a research question under the revised curriculum. Geography. This subject studies the interrelationship between human activity and the physical environment. It is an extremely wide curriculum, with students having the opportunity to undertake a geographic investigation, which is allocated 20% of the overall marks in the final examination, and is pre-submitted by the end of April in the year of the students leaving certificate. For both Science and Pharmacy at TCD, geography is accepted as a science subject for entry requirements. Continental Languages. The three main elements of the study of modern languages are comprehension, oral and written presentation. Be mindful of the Aural and Oral requirements. There is a strong emphasis now is on the ability to comprehend and converse in the language studied, and this is reflected in the fact, that a third of the final marks awarded, are for Aural and Oral work. Studying a continental language today requires you to culturally immerse yourself in the spoken, written world of its users. Applied Math’s. A very suitable subject for the student taking higher-level Math’s and Physics. Physics. Physics has a strong Maths element and requires the learning off of many formulae. It develops students understanding of many of the ordinary things that surround us such as heat, light, electricity and magnetism. Students must maintain a laboratory book, as there are twenty-seven mandatory experiments, of which four are offered on the leaving certificate paper, with three to be presented. Chemistry Students taking Chemistry, have to learn off the chemical components of a series of prescribed experiments. They will be required to present the elements of four such experiments in their examination. Again, students studying chemistry, develop an understanding of key elements of the world we live in, such as water as well as everything we use wear or consume. Biology Students studying Biology explore the world of all living things from micro-organisms to humans. As with the other science subjects, students undertake twenty-four mandatory experiments, the details of which they record in their laboratory book. It is often perceived as an easier subject than Physics and chemistry, but this is not so, as shown by the high failure rates at ordinary level. Social & Scientific. A combination of Cooking, Home Economics some Biology and a bit of Business. A very interesting subject, but not the easy honours that some imagine. Twenty percent of the marks are awarded for a course work journal, done within normal class time, and pre-submitted in October of 6th year, prior to the written examination. The study of Food Science is a central part of this subject. Students also have the option of studying one of Social Studies, Textiles or Home Design.

9. Entry Requirements When choosing Leaving Certificate subjects great care must be taken as the choices of subjects made now may determine 3rd level and career options in 2 years time. Why? Regardless of how many points you get in your LC, you will be ineligible to even apply for a course if you have not met it’s “Course Entry Requirements” Generally there are 2 sets of ‘Entry Requirements’ which must be met before ‘points’ can be considered. A) Minimum Entry Requirements Particular subjects and minimum no. of honours / passes in the L.C. required to apply to an individual college. B) Specific Course Requirements Particular subjects and/or levels required to gain entry to specific faculties or courses.

10. Minimum Entry Requirements of major CAO Colleges

11. Specific Course Requirements These requirements are in addition to Minimum Entry Requirements. They are specific L.C. subjects / grades required for entry to particular courses. They tend to be in the following subject areas: Science subjects Languages Mathematics E.g. Veterinary Medicine in UCD Entry Requirements: 2HC3 + 4OD3, OD3 in English, Irish, Modern Language & Mathematics, HC3 in Chemistry. If a student really hates a subject, it is unlikely that they are suddenly going to like it at third level. E.g. a language/science subject.If a student really hates a subject, it is unlikely that they are suddenly going to like it at third level. E.g. a language/science subject.

12. Sample Requirements Irish Primary Teaching – HC3 Law & Irish (UCC) – HC1 Comp. Sc., Linguistics & Irish (TCD) – HC1 Gno & Gaeilge (DCU) – OA2/HC3 French Law with French Law – HB3 Commerce with French (UCD) – HC3 Law and French (TCD) – HC1 A Language Many courses require a language but may not specify a particular one: Media Arts (DIT) – HC3 in Ir or Fr. Applied Languages (DCU) – HC3 in Fr, Ge, Ir or Sp. Speech and Language Therapy (TCD) – HC3 in En, Fr, Ge, Ir, It, Ru or Sp. Cadet School – OD3 in a modern Language.

13. Sample Requirements Mathematics Honours Engineering – HC3 Business Studies (DCU) – OC3/HD3 Optometry (DIT) - OB3 Economics & Finance (UCD) –HC3 Business (TCD) – OC/HD Science (UCD) – OB3/HD3 Commerce (UCD) – OB3/HD3 Law and Accounting (UL) – OC3/HD3 Science Particular care needs to be taken with science subjects. Many courses require any one science subject Some courses require 2 science subjects, particularly TCD and UCC. UCAS courses Nursing – OD3 in a Lab. Sc. Medical/Para medical courses Chemistry Pharmacy*, Human Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine & Dentistry (UCC) – HC3

14. Appliance of Science

15. Specific Course Requirements Unlikely that 3rd/TY students will know exactly, which courses they wish to pursue at this stage. But from looking at their interests, abilities and aptitudes they may be able to identify broad areas of interest and hence check potential course entry requirements. Course Entry Requirements can be accessed: In the college’s prospectuses On the college’s websites Directory of LC Entry Requirements www.qualifax.ie – Subject Requirements It is only when all course entry requirements are met that students are qualified to apply for a course.

16. General Advice If a student is not really sure what he/she wants to do in the future: Pick a broad range of subjects in order to keep options open Many students will change their minds about their future a number of times in the next 2 years E.g. one language one science one business one humanities / applied science. This combination would allow access into a broad range of courses/careers.

17. Choosing a Subject A wise choice of subjects requires: RESEARCH DISCUSSION REFLECTION DECISION

18. Choosing a Subject Key Questions What subjects is the school offering? If I’m interested in a particular course/career area, what subjects are essential? ( Course Entry Requirements) If not essential, what subjects would be useful/helpful for this course/career area? (useful vs. points) What subjects do I like? (motivation) (not the teacher) What subjects am I relatively good at? (DATs) (JC)

19. Important Points DCG/Construction Studies are not needed to do Engineering. Maths is more important. Art is generally not needed for Art and Design courses. A portfolio is however. For Business courses, Maths is generally a requirement rather than Business subjects. No subjects are gender specific. Every student is a unique bundle of interests, abilities and aptitudes, hence they should choose subjects based on these and not current friendships or the opinions of others. Students should be careful to try pick a balance between learning and understanding subjects. Students should be aware of balancing subjects which help maximise points vs. subjects which may be of benefit to them in the future.

20. Procedure During subject choice interview a set of subjects are agreed with student. Note brought home to parent outlining agreed subjects. Parents must review, sign and return to G.C. In exceptional circumstances a change may be made to agreed subjects before March 25th by written request from parents to G.C. only. March 25th – Deadline for final subject choices March 29th – Class generation process begins.