1. Fifth Year Subject Choice

2. Implications for the future Seventeen subjects on offer Choose any four Not prevented from entering any third level course

3. Making a Wise Choice What subject am I most interested in? What subject am I most interested in? What subject am I likely to be best at? What subject am I likely to be best at? What subjects will I need? What subjects will I need? Balanced choice of subjects Balanced choice of subjects

4. Three Hurdles to College Entry Matriculation Requirements Matriculation Requirements Subject Requirements Subject Requirements Points Points

5. Matriculation Requirements The Matriculation Requirement is the minimum academic qualification for entry that a Third Level College demands from a student

6. Colleges that Require a Minimum D3 at Ordinary Level N.U.I.English, Irish, and a Third Language TrinityEnglish, Maths and a Third Language U.L.English, Maths and a Third Language D.C.U.Maths & English or Irish I.TsMaths & English or Irish Colleges of Ed.Maths & English & Irish (HC3) Others Vary

7. Course Requirements/Subject Requirements Particular courses may require grades at certain levels, in particular subjects Particular courses may require grades at certain levels, in particular subjects Some examples are: Maynooth -Electronic Engineering-Maths HC3 RCSI-Medicine-Laboratory Science or Maths HB3 TCD-Medicine- 2 Lab Science Subjects- HB3 &HC3

8. If you are considering going to UCC, UCD, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, RCSI a third language should be among your chosen subjects A recent significant change has been the dropping of this requirement for Engineering and Science courses in Maynooth, for Engineering, Science and Agricultural Science in UCD and for Engineering, Science and Food Science in UCC

9. If you are considering Medical, Paramedical, Nursing, Science or Engineering courses you should select a laboratory science subject or two for some courses

10. Points Points are allocated for the six best grades Points are allocated for the six best grades Grades must be achieved in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate Grades must be achieved in one sitting of the Leaving Certificate Entry to a course will be granted to those who have highest points Entry to a course will be granted to those who have highest points Colleges do not set the points Colleges do not set the points The points reflect: the results of the student and the number of places available in the college on that year The points reflect: the results of the student and the number of places available in the college on that year

11. 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. Go into CAO website for points

12. Important Points Remember that the Leaving Certificate requires a great amount of hard work over two years. It is easier to work hard if you have chosen, in so far as possible, subjects you like. Remember that the Leaving Certificate requires a great amount of hard work over two years. It is easier to work hard if you have chosen, in so far as possible, subjects you like. It is easier to be motivated if you have a sense of purpose, a clear goal in your sight, a particular career area, etc. It is easier to be motivated if you have a sense of purpose, a clear goal in your sight, a particular career area, etc. A good level of education can only improve a students chances. Everyone has ability, but they must use it fully. A good level of education can only improve a students chances. Everyone has ability, but they must use it fully.

13. Accounting Suits the organized, methodical person who likes definite answers and has an interest in working with figures 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. Students considering a career in accountancy are recommended to study accountancy. Accountancy is a major component of all Business Studies courses. Accountancy is a major component of all Business Studies courses.

14. Agricultural Science Agricultural Science is a life science and a very good base for many biological courses of biological nature. Acceptable as a science requirement for most courses that accept Biology. Agricultural Science is a life science and a very good base for many biological courses of biological nature. Acceptable as a science requirement for most courses that accept Biology. Assessment Assessment 25%-School Based –Research Project, Practicals, Field Study, Farm Project 75%-State Examination

15. Applied Mathematics It is not advanced maths – it is basic maths used in practical applications It is not advanced maths – it is basic maths used in practical applications Need to have taken Maths at higher level for the Junior Certificate Need to have taken Maths at higher level for the Junior Certificate Methodical in nature – problems solved by a standard method Methodical in nature – problems solved by a standard method Engineering, Sport Science, Computing, Architecture, Many Technical Courses Engineering, Sport Science, Computing, Architecture, Many Technical Courses

16. Art Highly versatile subject that prepares students for a wide range of careers Highly versatile subject that prepares students for a wide range of careers Encourages creative development and problem solving through the design process Encourages creative development and problem solving through the design process Interior Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, Media, TV and Film Production, Photography, Fashion Design, Architecture Interior Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, Media, TV and Film Production, Photography, Fashion Design, Architecture

17. Biology Knowledge of the science of Biology is essential for understanding human life and the living environment around us. 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 Biology is a subject which leads directly to many biologically oriented Third Level courses Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Nursing Medicine, Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Nursing

18. Business A subject that is a practical and vocationally oriented course that introduces students in simple logical steps to the world of business A subject that is a practical and vocationally oriented 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 aims to create an awareness of the importance of enterprise Business is an intricate part of any Third Level Business course and is relevant to numerous career opportunities. Business is an intricate part of any Third Level Business course and is relevant to numerous career opportunities.

19. Chemistry The study of chemistry is desirable for those who wish to pursue a career in science or ones allied to science 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 Applied Maths or Biology and Home Economics for example. It is a central foundation science subject which makes it ideal to pair with Physics and Applied Maths or Biology and Home Economics for example. Most students doing the following courses would do chemistry - Human Nutrition, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary, Medicine and Applied Chemistry Most students doing the following courses would do chemistry - Human Nutrition, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Veterinary, Medicine and Applied Chemistry

20. Construction Construction Studies is the study of the construction of buildings and why they are made the way they are Construction Studies is the study of the construction of buildings and why they are made the way they are Need to have done Technical Graphics or Technology Wood Need to have done Technical Graphics or Technology Wood A practical course: A practical course: Project - 25% Practical - 25% Written 50% Engineering, Construction Industry, Interior Design, Architecture, Quantity Surveyor, Trades Engineering, Construction Industry, Interior Design, Architecture, Quantity Surveyor, Trades

21. Design and Communication Graphics Replacing Technical Drawing at Senior Cycle Replacing Technical Drawing at Senior Cycle Main change from the old course is Computer Aided Design (CAD) that is the use of computers to draw in 3D Main change from the old course is Computer Aided Design (CAD) that is the use of computers to draw in 3D Assessment: Assessment: Drawing Examination-60% Assignment-(Design, Freehand Drawing,CAD)-40% Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, Construction Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design, Construction

22. Economics Economics is a great link subject. It is relevant to business, journalism, politics, sociology, geography, history, media Economics is a great link subject. It is relevant to business, journalism, politics, sociology, geography, history, media An intergal and very important component of Business Courses. An intergal and very important component of Business Courses. Economics is a component of many other courses Economics is a component of many other courses European Studies, Arts, Law, Politics, Journalism

23. German/French Necessary for entry to quite a number of courses in Necessary for entry to quite a number of courses in NUI Universities and RCSI. Note Slide 8 Assessment -Oral Assessment -Oral Listening Comprehension Reading Comprehension Various Written Tests

24. Geography Geography is concerned with understanding the world around us and the relationship between the physical world and the people Geography is concerned with understanding the world around us and the relationship between the physical world and the people Assessment: Assessment: Geographical Investigation – 20% Fieldwork on a topic chosen from a list which is changed annually Written examination – 80% Arts, Town Planning, Environmental Science, Tourism, Meteorology Arts, Town Planning, Environmental Science, Tourism, Meteorology

25. History Now more emphasis on social, economic and cultural areas Now more emphasis on social, economic and cultural areas One topic is a document based study which involves skills of working with evidence 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 A research study is required which will take a year and is submitted around Easter-time before the Leaving Certificate Law, Town Planning, Archaeology, Economics, Administration, Sociology, Museum and Library Work Law, Town Planning, Archaeology, Economics, Administration, Sociology, Museum and Library Work

26. Home Economics-Social & Scientific Home Economics is an applied subject combining theory and practice Home Economics is an applied subject combining theory and practice Three core sections - Food Studies-45% Resource Three core sections - Food Studies-45% Resource Management and Consumer Studies-25% Social Studies-10% 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% - November LCY Assessment –Practicals-20% - November LCY

27. It is possible to take up this subject in Fifth Year without having done it before Food and Culinary Arts, Food Science, Nutrition, Hotel and Catering Management, Chef, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Product Development It is possible to take up this subject in Fifth Year without having done it before Food and Culinary Arts, Food Science, Nutrition, Hotel and Catering Management, Chef, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Product Development

28. Music The syllabus structure provides a fully balanced musical experience central to which is the development of musicality The syllabus structure provides a fully balanced musical experience central to which is the development of musicality Performance 50% (IT 25% Sibelius)- Listening 25% - Composition 25% - Performance 50% (IT 25% Sibelius)- Listening 25% - Composition 25% - Media Studies, Sound Engineering, Performance, Media Studies, Sound Engineering, Performance, Film Studies It is possible to pick up Music even if you have not done it to Junior Cert. All that is required is to be able to sing or have a knowledge of a musical instrument, eg.Guitar

29. Physics What is it? What is it? Mechanics – satellites, collisions, acceleration of a car Mechanics – satellites, collisions, acceleration of a car Optics – optical fibres, correcting faulty eyesight, mirrors 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 Engineering, Medical, Telecommunications, Electronic, Information Technology Engineering, Medical, Telecommunications, Electronic, Information Technology

30. Note the following Classes in any subject will only go ahead if sufficient numbers choose it Classes in any subject will only go ahead if sufficient numbers choose it Numbers for particular classes may be limited Numbers for particular classes may be limited In so far as possible students will be given their subject choice In so far as possible students will be given their subject choice It is very important when choosing the subjects to put them in preference order. It is very important when choosing the subjects to put them in preference order. You choose four choice subjects with a fifth as a backup You choose four choice subjects with a fifth as a backup