Newbridge CollegeTraditional Leaving CertificateSubject Choice

Leaving Certificate ProgrammeLeaving 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.All subjects are of equal importance.Extra points will be awarded in all HEIs for honours Mathematics in LC from 2012 to 2015

Points SystemGradeHonsHons + BOrdinary

A110012560A29011550

B18511045B28010540B37510035C1709530C2659025C3608520

D1558015D2507510D345705Bonus points

HD3 or above in Maths Extra 25 points

LCVP points

Distinction70 Merit50 Pass30

Sample Calculation

PaulSubjectLevelGradeScoreIrishHC265EnglishOA160MathsHA290+25=115GeographyHB280BiologyHC170PhysicsOA160FrenchHB375LCVPM5050Add the 6 best scores shown in REDPoints = 465

Leaving Certificate ProgrammeHighly Desirable SubjectsUnless there is a substantial reason otherwise, all students should definitely consider choosing:a modern language (NUI*)a science subject.Subject LevelsHigher 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 selectionCore subjects: English, Mathematics & Irish*Optional subjects: Usually 4 other subjects are chosen

Optional Subjects (4)BUSINESS Business Accountancy EconomicsSCIENCEBiology Physics ChemistryLANGUAGES FrenchGermanAPPLIED SCIENCES Home EconomicsConstruction Studies Design and Communication GraphicsSOCIAL STUDIESHistory Geography MusicArtInformation about LC subjects can be found at: www.newbridge-college.ie , www.curriculumonline.ie and www.careersportal.ie & Leaving Cert text books.

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 its Course Entry Requirements

Meet Entry Requirements Qualified Applicant for Course

Minimum Entry Requirements of major CAO Colleges

InstitutionMinimum gradesRequired subjectsNUI Colleges: UCD, NUIM, NUIG, UCC*. (RCSI, Shannon, Miltown)2HC3 + 4OD3*4OD3 + 2OD3OD3 in English, Irish & Modern Language*.Trinity College Dublin3HC3 + 3OD3OD3 in Maths, English & another LanguageDublin City University2HC3 + 4OD3OD3 in Maths, English or IrishUniversity of Limerick2HC3 + 4OD3OD3 in Maths, English & Irish or another Lang.Dublin Institute of Technology 2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.)5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.)OD3 in Maths, English or IrishRegional Institutes of Technology (DK*)2HC3 + 4OD3 (H.D.)5OD3 (O.D. or H.C.)OD3 in Maths, English or Irish

Specific Course RequirementsThese 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 subjectsLanguagesMathematicsE.g. Veterinary Medicine in UCDEntry Requirements: 2HC3 + 4OD3, OD3 in English, Irish, Modern Language & Mathematics, HC3 in Chemistry.

Sample RequirementsIrishPrimary Teaching HC3Irish & Journalism (DCU) HB3Early and Modern Irish (TCD) HC3Gno & Gaeilge (DCU) OA2/HC3

FrenchLaw with French Law HB3Bus. Studies and French (TCD) HC1Law and French (TCD) HC1A LanguageMany courses require a language but may not specify a particular one:

Film & Broadcasting with a language (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.

Sample RequirementsMathematicsHonours Engineering HC3Business Studies (DCU) OC3/HD3Optometry (DIT) - OB3Economics & Finance (UCD) HC3Business (TCD) OC/HDScience (UCD) OB3/HD3Commerce (UCD) OB3/HD3Law and Accounting (UL) OC3/HD3ScienceParticular 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

ChemistryPharmacy*, Human Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine & Dentistry (UCC) HC3

Appliance of Science

Sheet1

Leaving Certificate Science Subjects

COLLEGE SUBJECTSin order of importance to college subject

123

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESBiologyChemistryMathematics

BiologyHorticulture

AgricultureMarine Biology

CHEMICAL SCIENCESChemistryMathematicsPhysics

ChemistryBiochemistry

Chem. EngineeringMedicinal Chem.

PHYSICAL SCIENCESPhysicsMathematicsChemistry

PhysicsAstronomy

ElectronicsComputing

ENGINEERINGMathematicsPhysicsChemistry

CivilMechanical

AeronauticalElectrical

MEDICAL SCIENCESChemistryBiologyPhysics

PharmacyNursing

Opthalmic OpticsNutrition

MEDICINE / DENTISTRYChemistryPhysicsBiology

MedicineDentistry

Vet. MedicineBritish Association for the Advancement of Science

Specific Course RequirementsUnlikely that 3rd/TY students will know exactly, which courses/careers 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 colleges prospectusesOn the colleges websitesDirectory of LC Entry Requirements www.qualifax.ie Subject RequirementsIt is only when all course entry requirements are met that students are qualified to apply for a course.

General AdviceIf 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 yearsE.g. one language one science one businessone humanities / applied science.This combination would allow access into a broad range of courses/careers.

Choosing a SubjectGood subject choice requires:

RESEARCH

DISCUSSION

REFLECTION

DECISIONSubject Teachers, Guidance Classes, TY ProgrammeL.C. Books, Publications, Other StudentsGuidance Counsellors, Current TeachersFamily, FriendsConsider all the information, views and opinionsThen, ultimately each student must make up their own mind.

Key Questions

What subjects is the school offering?If Im 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? What subjects do I like? (motivation) (not the teacher)What subjects am I relatively good at? (DATs) (JC)

Important PointsDCG/Construction Studies are not needed to do Engineering. Maths and Physics are 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. 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.

Newbridge College Draft Subject Options

GEOGRAPHYBIOLOGYHOME ECON.MUSICFRENCH PHYSICSGEOGRAPHYBIOLOGYARTECONOMICSDCGCHEMISTRYGERMANBUSINESSARTCONS. STUDIES FRENCHHISTORYDCGGERMANBUSINESSCONS. STUDIES FRENCHACCOUNTING

Timetable of EventsJanuary DATs 3rd yearsJanuary 7th Class presentations beginJanuary 29th Parents Night.February 18th Subject Choice Interviews beginMarch 8th Deadline for submission of application forms for TY.March 20th Deadline for final subject choices and commitment to TY.

ProcedureDuring subject choice interview a set of subjects are agreed with student. (on lines and/or preferred)Note brought home to parent outlining agreed subjects. Parents must review, sign and return to G.C.A change may be made to agreed subjects before March 20th by written request from parents to G.C.After Easter changes will only be facilitated if vacancies exist in classes.Important that parents know what subjects their son/daughter is choosing so changes should be accompanied by note from home.

******LCVP POINTS**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, Filte 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 students 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.

**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 Maths. A very suitable subject for the student taking higher-level Maths 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.****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.Chemistry not required for Pharmacy in RCSI****