2020/2021 Which Subjects do you choose? Irish, English, Maths. 4 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Leaving Certificate Subject Choice 2020/2021

Which Subjects do you choose?

Irish, English, Maths. 4 Other Subjects.

• Level - Higher/Ordinary.
• College Requirements.
• Course Requirements.

Subjects for Senior Cycle 15 subjects on offer Choose any FOUR

Optional Subjects

• Accounting
• Art
• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Agricultural Science
• Home Economics
• Music
• Physics
• Construction Studies
• Design &

Communication Graphics (DCG)

• Engineering
• French
• Geography
• History

Making a Wise Choice

• What subject am I most interested in?
• What subject am I likely to be best at?
• What subjects will I need?
• Balanced choice of subjects

How to Choose

• Know what you want to do - Research

and choose accordingly

• No idea what you want to do- Include a

Science and a Third Language

• Talk to teachers, family, friends
• Friends Subjects- Avoid choosing a subject

just because your friend is doing it

How Subject Choice happens in Bridgetown College

Subject Choice 2020

Please mark 8 of the following subjects in order of preference 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. Number 1 is the subject you would most like to get. (This process will take place online through Vsware.)

• Art

_____

• Accounting

_____

• Biology

_____

• Business

_____

• Chemistry

_____

• Construction Studies

_____

• Agricultural Science

_____

• Engineering

_____

• French

_____

• Geography

_____

• History

_____

• Home Economics

_____

• Music

_____

• Physics

_____

• Design and Communications Graphics

_____

Step 1

• Once all students have entered in their subject

choices through VSware, the process of forming the option bands begins. The computer will give option bands that give the greatest satisfaction to student choices. The chosen band will depend on workability from a timetable point of view. For example if the same teacher is teaching Biology and Ag Science, these cannot be on the same line.

Step 2

• When the Option band is chosen, the

computer will automatically give as many students as possible their first 4 choices leaving many students at a disadvantage. At this stage the school manually makes changes to provide as much fairness as possible to the process.

Step 3

• The priority system works as follows:

– Everyone gets their 1st choice (Unless there is not enough demand for a subject to run) – Most students get their 1st and 2nd choice. – Almost all students get three out of their top 4 choices. After this, students who did poorly in relation to getting their chosen subjects are prioritised for changes should space become available in classes.

Art

Encourages creative development and problem solving through the design process

• Only required for 2 Art courses in WIT but usually

very difficult to meet portfolio standard without it Useful but not a requirement for Interior Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, Media, TV and Film Production, Photography, Fashion Design, Architecture

Design and Communication Graphics

• Replacing Technical Drawing at Senior Cycle
• Computer Aided Design (CAD) that is the

use of computers to draw in 3D is used as well as conventional drawing

• Assessment:

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

• Useful but not a requirement for

Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, Construction.

Biology

• Knowledge of the science of Biology is

essential for understanding human life and the living environment around us.

• Biology is a subject which leads directly to

many biologically oriented Third Level courses

• Useful but not a specific requirement for

Medicine, Veterinary Science(Strongly recommended), Dentistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Nursing, Beautician. Required for Genetics in UCC(H4) & Human Health & Disease TCD(H4)

Physics

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

Optics – optical fibres, correcting faulty eyesight, mirrors

• Heat – different temperature scales, refrigerators
• Waves – spectra of light, loudness of sounds
• Electricity & Magnetism – generators
• Atomic & Nuclear Physics – TV tubes, transistors
• Useful but not a specific requirement for Engineering,

Medical, Telecommunications, Electronic, Information Technology.

• Required for Theoretical Physics in TCD(H3)

Chemistry

• The study of chemistry is desirable for those who

wish to pursue a career in science or ones allied to science

• It is a central foundation science subject which

makes it ideal to pair with Physics and Biology or Home Economics for example.

• Most students doing the following courses would

be required to have LC Higher Chemistry- Human Nutrition & Dietetics DIT(H4), Dentistry UCC (H4), Pharmacy (H5), Veterinary Medicine(H5) , Medicine UCC & RCSI 5 year(H5)

Agricultural Science

Agricultural science is the study of the science and technology underlying the principles and practices of agriculture.

• Both Laboratory and field based with a project.
• Not a requirement for any third level course

but is acceptable as a laboratory science

• subject. Where 2 lab sciences are required it

cannot always be presented with Biology. Very useful in agricultural and environmental science careers.

Business

• A subject that is a practical and vocationally
• riented course that introduces students in

simple logical steps to the world of business.

• Business aims to create an awareness of the

importance of enterprise.

• Business is an intricate part of any Third Level

Business course although it is not a

• requirement. It is relevant to numerous career
• pportunities.

Accounting

• Suits the organized, methodical person who

likes definite answers and has an interest in working with figures.

• Students considering a career in accountancy

are recommended to study accountancy but it is not a requirement.

• Accountancy is a major component of all

Business Studies courses.

Construction Studies

• Construction Studies is the study of the

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

• A practical course:
• Project - 25%
• Practical - 25%
• Written - 50%
• Useful but not a requirement for Engineering,

Construction Industry, Interior Design, Architecture, Quantity Surveyor, Trades, Sustainable Energy.

Engineering

• Engineering promotes an understanding of the

materials and a knowledge of the processes associated with mechanical engineering.

• Not a requirement for any course but can be used

instead of a science subject for some Engineering, Construction Science and Product Design courses.

Geography

• Geography is concerned with understanding

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

• Assessment:
• Geographical Investigation – 20%
• Fieldwork on a topic chosen from a list which

is changed annually

• Written examination – 80%
• Useful but not a requirement for Arts, Town

Planning, Environmental Science, Tourism, Meteorology

History

• Now more emphasis on social, economic and

cultural areas

• One topic is a document based study which

involves skills of working with evidence

• A research study is required which will take a

year and is submitted around Easter-time before the Leaving Certificate

• Useful but not a requirement for Law, Town

Planning, Archaeology, Economics, Administration, Sociology, Museum and Library Work

Home Economics

• Home Economics is an applied subject combining

theory and practice

• Three core sections - Food Studies-45%
• Resource Management and Consumer Studies-

25% Social Studies-10% Three Electives – One to be chosen

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

• Assessment –Practicals-20% - Done in 5th Year

Useful but not a requirement for Food and Culinary Arts, Food Science, Nutrition, Hotel and Catering Management, Chef, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Product Development.

Music

• The syllabus structure provides a fully balanced

musical experience central to which is the development of musicality

• Performance 25% Listening 25% - Composition

25% & 25% in one of 3

• Useful but not for a requirement for Music

Performance & Technology, Media Studies, Sound Engineering, Performance, Film Studies

• Note that Grade Level 6 is required for some

Music Courses

French

• A third language is a requirement for some third

level courses. If French is a requirement for a course that you wish to do you must put it number 1 in your subject choice.

• It is not possible to take up French if you have not

studied it up to Junior Cycle as the Leaving Cert course assumes significant prior knowledge.

Potential Problems

• Subjects clashing on the Option Bands

– Result means that students might not get all

• f their top 4 choices.
• Too Few students want to study a subject.

– This would result in a subject not running in a particular year.

L.C.V.P.

• An additional Subject
• Preparation for world of work

– Work Experience – Enterprise Education – Reports – Interview – Exam in May

L.C.V.P.

• 2/3 Class periods a week

Excellent for Points

• Pass = 28 Points
• Merit = 46 Points
• Distinction = 66 Points

3 DECISIONS

• Total Number of subjects will be 7 or 8 if

doing LCVP.

• The actual subjects you choose.
• The level at which each subject is taken.

Entry requirements for Third Level courses vary from course to course so you must refer to the relevant literature or information given on the websites. www.cao.ie for points www.examinations.ie www.careersportal.ie www.qualifax.ie

• r see college websites or

course prospectuses online for course details.

Research

Useful Websites

• Qualifax – www.qualifax.ie

(Students/Subject Choice/Subjects Requirement Module)

• Careers

Portal – www.careersportal.ie (School Students/Transition Year/Subject Choice)

Qualifax

Careers Portal

Guidance Department; St. Mary's CBS

Useful Tools

Qualifax

• Interest

Assessment

• Minimum Subject

Requirement

• Points Calculator
• CAO/UCAS points

info Careers Portal

• Self Assessment
• Career Research
• Subject Choice
• Career Videos
• Career Sectors
• Job Profiles
• PLC Wizard
• CAO Wizard

Predicted areas of Growth:

• Science – All areas e.g. Microbiologists /

Physicists / R & D / Food Science.

• Technology - Especially Mobile Technology;

Drones; I PADS / I Phones.

• Engineering - Biomedical / Energy / & Chemical.
• Computing – Especially programming & game &

web design, as well as analysts.

• Product Design / Product Innovation.

Finally, how to make a decision: Advice for Students / Parents & Guardians.

• Subjects they are good at – ability.
• Subjects they like - a genuine interest.
• Course/Career Requirements.
• Students have already been advised to

speak to senior students studying subjects that they are interested in/look at their text books/ask them about project work.

Interesting Facts

 Most business courses state a requirement in Maths - not a business subject.  An Art portfolio is required for most art related courses - art itself is not required.  The most common entry requirements are Maths, English and/or Irish.  If a student did get the points for a particular course but did not satisfy the subject entry requirement then they will not be offered a place on that course.

Do Don't

Choose subjects you enjoy. Don’t choose a subject because your friend is taking it. Choose subjects you are good at. Don’t choose a subject just because you like or dislike the teacher. Choose subjects you need for your chosen career. Don’t choose a subject because you think it will be easy. Keep your options open for the future by making a balanced choice now. Don’t choose a new subject without finding out more about it. Talk to your Guidance Counsellor and your teachers. Don’t make a decision at the last minute without thinking about it. Talk to your parents or guardians. Don’t panic.