Mercy Mounthawk Subject choice Senior Cycle LC 2016

Mercy Mounthawk Subject choice Senior Cycle (LC) 2016

Leaving Certificate Subjects are grouped as follows:

Science Group: Ø Ø Ø Mathematics Applied Mathematics Biology Physics Chemistry Agricultural Science

Business Group: Ø Accounting Ø Business Ø Economics

Applied Science Group: Design Communications Graphics Ø Construction Studies Ø Engineering Ø Home Economics (Social and Scientific) Ø

Social Studies Group: History Ø Geography Ø Art Ø Music Ø Religion Ø

Language Group: Ø Ø Ø Irish English French German Spanish

Core Subjects Ø Irish (Unless exempt by DES) Ø English Ø Mathematics Ø Plus Four Additional Subjects

Subject Choice Ø Number of subjects to be taken? Ø The actual subjects to be taken? Ø The level at which these subjects will be taken?

Factors To Consider Ø Ø Ø Choose subjects you found interesting and enjoyable at JC/TY. Focus on your strengths (ability). List careers you have an interest in, research related third level courses and identify:

1. Subjects that are necessary and the required levels 2. Subjects that are desirable

Irish Leaving Certificate Examination Points Calculation Grid LC Grade Higher Level Ordinary Level Bonus for HL Maths Foundation Maths A 1 100 60 25 20 A 2 90 50 25 15 B 1 85 45 25 10 B 2 80 40 25 5 B 3 75 35 25 C 1 70 30 25 C 2 65 25 25 C 3 60 20 25 D 1 55 15 25 D 2 50 10 25 D 3 45 5 25

Changes to the LC grading system • Reducing the number of grade bands from 14 to 8 • Candidates receiving Leaving Certificate results in August 2017 will have their results expressed in the following new Leaving Certificate grades: Higher Level Grade Ordinary Level Grade H 1 (90 -100) O 1 (90 -100) H 2 (80 < 90) O 2 (80 < 90) H 3 (70 < 80) O 3 (70 < 80) H 4 (60 < 70) O 4 (60 < 70) H 5 (50 < 60) O 5 (50 < 60) H 6 (40 < 50) O 6 (40 < 50) H 7 (30 < 40) O 7 (30 < 40) H 8 (0 < 30) O 8 (0 < 30)

Changes to the Common Points Scale Higher Points Level Grade H 1 100 H 2 88 H 3 77 H 4 66 H 5 56 H 6 46 H 7 37 H 8 0 Ordinary Points Level Grade O 1 56 O 2 46 O 3 37 O 4 28 O 5 20 O 6 12 O 7 0 O 8 0

Changes to the Common Points Scale ¡Maths Bonus Points 25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for Higher Level Mathematics for H 6 grades and above. For example, if an applicant receives a H 6 grade, an additional 25 points will be added to the 46 points already awarded for a H 6 grade i. e. Higher Level Mathematics now carries a points score of 71 for this applicant. ¡Foundation Level Mathematics Universities do not award points for Foundation Level, the Io. Ts are currently considering a conversion for 2017.

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP grade Revised LCVP Points Distinction 66 Merit 46 Pass 28

Objectives of the Changes To reduce pressure on secondlevel students ¡ To encourage the take-up of higher level subjects ¡ To fairly reward scholastic achievement ¡ To minimise use of random selection ¡

Necessary Subjects Entry Requirements Course requirements

NUI, ( UCC. UCD. Maynooth University, NUI Galway. ) Six subjects which must include: Ø Ø 2 H 5 (Formally 2 HC 3’s) 4 06/H 7 (Formally 4 D 3’s) A pass in English A pass in Irish A pass in a third language: French/ German/ Spanish

NUI – language requirement no longer exists for: Ø Ø Ø UCD – Engineering, Science, Social Science and Agricultural Science courses Maynooth University– Engineering and Science Courses NUI Galway – Engineering and Science courses UCC – Science, Engineering and Food Science courses All NUI – Nursing NCAD –accept Art instead of the Language

University of Limerick Six subjects which must include: Ø Ø At least 2 H 5 4 06/H 7 Mathematics English Irish or another language

Institutes of Technology (Honours Degree) Six subjects to include: Ø Mathematics Ø English Ø Two higher H 5 and 4 06/H 7

Institutes of Technology (Higher Cert. / Ordinary Degree) Five subjects to include: Ø 5 06/H 7 Ø Mathematics Ø English or Irish

Matriculation requirements from 2017 Where Current requirement is : 2017 requirement : 5 OD 3 5 O 6/H 7 Changes to specific subject requirements from 2017 2 HC 3 & 4 OD 3 2 H 5 & 4 O 6/H 7 3 HC 3 & 3 OD 3 3 H 5 & 3 O 6/H 7

Course / Faculty Requirements The subject or group of subjects at a specified level that is required for a particular course

Examples of Course Requirements Nursing – Laboratory Science Subject ¡ Engineering (Level 8)- Higher Level Maths H 4 ¡ Medicine & Health - Laboratory Science(s) H 4 ¡ Pharmacy -Chemistry H 5 ¡ World Languages UCC – H 3 in Language ¡ Primary Teaching – Higher Irish ¡

Desirable Subjects (Examples) Ø Ø Two science subjects for any science based course. At least one business subject for any business or commerce course. Design Communications Graphics for Architecture or Engineering. History for Journalism or Government.

Other Factors To Consider Ø Ø Awareness of subject content: (a) SC Booklet /Careers Portal (b) Subject Teacher Do not choose subjects based on friend’s choices. Choices should not be linked to teachers of senior classes. There are ‘easy’ subjects in which to get points. (Myth? )

Ø Ø Ø Try to maintain a balance between the subjects groups. This will keep your options open. Link between J. C subjects and L. C subjects. Some subjects can complement each other eg: Physics/Applied Maths/Engineering or Higher English/History

Where to get information? College Prospectuses ¡ Websites: www. cao. ie ¡ www. qualifax. ie www. careersportal. ie

General Guidelines on Subject Choice Ø Ø Core Subjects (3) Language (1) A science subject/course req. (1) Last two Consider : Personal strengths/desirable subjects/second science subject etc. (2)

Subject choice is all about getting one’s choices together in a manner which: Ø Ø Satisfies the entry requirements for all courses in which you have an interest in. Optimises the chances of fulfilling one's potential and changing educational/ career interest. That stimulate interest and motivate study Facilitates a stress free two years study.

Thank you for your attention Ø Ø Ms Farrell: 3. 2, 3. 4, 3. 8, 3. 10, 4. 1 and 4. 2 Ms O Mahony: 3. 1, 3. 3, 3. 7, 3. 9, 3. 11 4. 3, 4. 4 and 4. 5