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 • Construction Studies • Art • Design & Communication • Biology Graphics (DCG) • Business • Engineering • Chemistry • French • Agricultural Science • Geography • Home Economics • History • Music • Physics
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 1 st choice (Unless there is not enough demand for a subject to run) – Most students get their 1 st and 2 nd 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 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 is an intricate part of any Third Level Business course although it is not a requirement. It is relevant to numerous career opportunities.
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 5 th 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 of 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
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