2. SUBJECT CHOICE FOR JUNIOR CERT 2016 CORE SUBJECTS OPTION SUBJECTS DENISE LYONS GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR

3. CORE SUBJECTS IRISH- needed for all N.U.I. Universities, Gardai, Civil Service, Cadetes and Primary School Teaching. Needed for second language requirement in DCU,TCD and UL if not taking a continental language for Leaving Certificate. ENGLISH- essential for everything including all colleges and job areas. MATHS- needed for everything including Third level education, Apprenticeships, Nursing and Gardai. HISTORY GEOGRAPHY RELIGION C.S.P.E. P.E. I.T.

4. OPTION SUBJECTS STEPS TO SUCCESS Careful consideration should be given when choosing option subjects: Interest Ability Aptitude Subject choice for Senior Level Career aspirations

5. Option subjects cont. Avoid picking a subject based on the fact that friends are doing the subject No subjects are designed for boys or girls. When doubt exists it is advisable to leave all options open for the future by choosing a broad balanced range of subjects. Enjoy chosen subjects. Talk to teachers and students to inform oneself of course structure and content www.portumnacs.com www.careersportal.ie www.portumnacs.com

6. SCIENCE  JC Science syllabus: 25% Project: 10% Record book: 65% Exam Science breaks down into four subjects for Senior cycle:  Physics: important for careers in Technology and Engineering.  Chemistry: wide range of career options including Medicine, Pharmacy, Food science, Veterinary Medicine etc  Biology: useful for Biotechnology, Medical and Health care professions.  Agricultural Science: important for Agriculture and food based careers.

7. BUSINESS STUDIES JC Syllabus: 50% Book keeping: 50% Business Organisation. Breaks down into two subjects for Senior cycle:  Accountancy: useful for careers in Accountancy, Banking, Financial Services, Investment Banking, Management etc  Business Organisation: Relevant for any business career including Advertising, Marketing, Sales, HRM, Insurance, Banking, Financial Service sector etc

8. Language: French JC Syllabus: 44% Aural: 56 % written Useful for careers in translations, Law, Tourism, International relations etc Needed for all N.U.I. colleges UCC, UCD, NUIG, Maynooth, St Angela’s Sligo, Shannon College of Hotel Management), R.C.S.I., Cadetships in the Army and the Air Corps. Arts, Law, Business, Languages, Medicine, Psychology, Social Science, Veterinary Medicine course at NUI’s require language at LC Level UCC, UCD, NUIG and NUI Maynooth no longer require language as entry to Faculties of Science and Engineering A continental language is not needed for T.C.D., U.L., D.C.U., D.I.T., and all the Institutes of Technology. Nurse training does not require a language. Primary teaching training colleges do not require a language for entry.

9. Artistic Group Art and Music ART: needed for entry requirements to art based courses Can be useful for Architecture, Fashion design, Fine art, Graphic design etc JC Art syllabus:80 % project: 20% practical exam MUSIC: needed if studying music after school. Useful for careers in Music management, Performance, Teaching, Therapy JC Music Syllabus: Practical 30%, written exam 70%.

10. Practical Group Tech Graphics/Woodwork/Metalwork Ideal subjects for students considering Architecture, Apprenticeships, Construction Professions or Engineering careers. Can be used as an entry requirement of some technical/ engineering based courses Practical subjects: JC Woodwork: project 66%: written exam 34%. JC Metalwork: project/practical exam 75%: written exam 25%. JC Tech Graphics: 100% exam

11. Home Economics Useful for Hotel and Catering, Child Care, Dietetics, Nursing, Social Work, Fashion Design and Food Industry. JC Syllabus: Project 10%, practical 35%, written exam 55%. NB: Language is required if you want to become a Home Economics teacher.

12. Summary Science is no longer a core subject. Asked to list in order of preference – Top 4 Choice subjects and 1 reserve. Strongly recommend continuity of subjects from 1 st Year ScienceHumanitiesArtisticBusinessLanguagePractical ScienceHome Economics Art, Craft & Design BusinessFrenchMaterials Technology- Wood MusicMaterials Technology- Metalwork Technical Graphics