1. Leaving Cert. subject choice in PCS.
F. Farrell - PCS 2011
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). 3

2. 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 recommended that students would have an A or B at HIGHER level Maths
It is advisable that students choose a modern language as one of their subject options.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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).

6. ADMISSION TO THIRD LEVEL INVOLVES:
MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF THIRD LEVEL INSTITUTE
MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF COURSE
ACHIEVING THE POINTS OF THE COURSE

7. College Entry Requirements
F. Farrell - PCS 2011
College Entry Requirements
General College Requirements:
Honours Degree requirements (LEVEL 8):
Higher Cert/Ordinary Degree requirements -LEVELS 6/7:
F. Farrell PCS 2017 9

8. F. Farrell - PCS 2011
Subject Requirements
Maths, English & Irish - most commonly required.
A 3rd Language is generally required by the NUI colleges except for engineering, Nursing 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, Nutrition
Level 7 common science DIT – no lab science subject required.
Human Nutrition and Dietetics requires Chemisty H 4
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9. Subject Requirements (examples)
F. Farrell - PCS 2011
Subject 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 RCS/UCD). 11

10. Examples of Course Requirements
F. Farrell - PCS 2011
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
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11. New Leaving Cert Points System
H1/O % 100/56 pts
H2/O % 88/46
H3/O % 77/37
H4/O % 66/28
H5/O % 56/20
H6/ % 46/12
H7/O % 37/0
25 bonus points will be awarded for HL level Maths at grade H6 or above

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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
F. Farrell PCS 2017

15. Summary Do NOT take a subject because your friend is!!!!
Do NOT take a subject just because you like the teacher!!!
There is no such thing, in this day in age, as an EASY subject.
Look at the mode of assessment – is their a project involved, does the subject have only 1 exam etc..
Remember 5th yr is Year 1 of the students Leaving Certificate and 6th Yr is Year 2.
New layout for the final 4 weeks of Transition Year - 5th year preparation weeks.

16. REMEMBER Curriculumonline.ie for further information
Speak with the subject teachers – teachers can advise students directly
Look at the textbook in the book shop!
MAKE SURE THE FORMS ARE IN FOR MONDAY 22ND – TO ENSURE THAT YOU GET YOUR PREFERRED CHOICES

17. Leaving Certificate
Physical Education

18. Introduction
The emphasis is on providing learners with integrated learning experiences where there is a balance between developing personal performance in selected physical activities and deepening their understanding of the theoretical perspectives that impact on performance and participation in physical activity. These perspectives include learning in the humanities/social sciences and life sciences.

19. Time Allocation
Leaving Certificate Physical Education is designed to be taught in approximately 180 hours. It is recommended that of the five suggested class periods a week, a double period per week should be included to facilitate learners’ active participation in the three physical activities, the remainder of the allocated time to theoretical classes.

20. Overview
The specification is presented in two strands. In strand 1, students learn about different theoretical perspectives that impact on optimum performance and how to apply this understanding to a range of different activities. In strand 2, students learn about contemporary issues in physical activity and how different people experience physical activity and sport.

21. Strand 1: Towards Optimum Performance
1. Learning and improving skill and technique
2. Physical and psychological demands of performance
3. Structures, strategies, roles and conventions
4. Planning for optimum performance

22. Strand 2: Contemporary Issues in Physical Activity
5. Promoting physical activity
6. Ethics and fair play In addition, two of the following topics will be prescribed each year:
7. Physical activity and inclusion
8. Technology, media and sport
9. Gender and physical activity
10. Business and enterprise in physical activity and sport

23. Overview Continued
Learners’ physically active participation is central to teaching and learning in Leaving Certificate Physical Education. To enable this to happen, students learn about the different theoretical perspectives through their participation in three different physical activities. These activities are selected from six distinct physical activity areas; Athletics, Artistic and Aesthetic activities, Adventure Activities, Games, Aquatics and Personal Exercise and Fitness.

24. Assessment
There are three assessment components in Leaving Certificate Physical Education: A physical activity project, performance assessment and written examination.
Assessment component Weighting Level
Physical activity project 20% Higher and Ordinary
Performance assessment 30% Common level
Written examination 50% Higher and Ordinary

25. Assessment Continued
The learner will be required to complete the physical activity project and performance assessment in two different activities.
**The full specification for Leaving Certificate Physical Education can be viewed on

26. PE on the option form
Portmarnock Community School has applied to be part of the Pilot Scheme for PE for Leaving Cert. We will not know if we have been successful until later on this year.
If you are considering taking PE:
--- include it as an option, in order of preference / ie top of my list or last on my list, on the option form.
---- VERY IMPORTANT - place an alternative choice beside it, in brackets