Portumna C S Career Guidance Department Leaving Certificate

Portumna C. S. Career Guidance Department Leaving Certificate Subject Choice Information Evening for TY Parents/Guardians Mr. Shay Dunphy Wednesday, 11/3/2020 Welcome!

Overview Section A 1. The Leaving Certificate at Portumna C. S. 2. Choice of Subjects. 3. Basic Entry Requirements for 3 rd Level. 4. How to choose subjects. 5. The Points System. Section B 6. The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) or Link Modules. 7. Leaving Certificate Applied 2

Section A 3

1. The Leaving Certificate Every student will take 7 subjects for the Leaving Certificate: Irish English Mathematics There’s no choice here! Plus 4 choice subjects Subjects chosen must be in strict order of preference! Note: There also 2 reserve subjects to pick. 4

2. Choice of Subjects Science • Physics • Chemistry • Biology Artistic • Music • Art Practical • D. C. G. • Engineering • Construction Business • Accounting • Business Studies Social Sciences • Geography • History • Home Eco. • Ag. Science Languages • French • German 5

Physics • Pupils who will gain the most from studying physics are those who have an interest in science at Junior Cert level and those who enjoy learning about how things work. • The science, technology and society section allows students the chance to see where the physics they are learning applies as in TVs, car motors and electricity in the home and also, to see some of the industrial applications of certain topics. • Important link to engineering • Physics is a specific requirement for the following course: Theoretical Physics H 3(T. C. D. ) 6

Chemistry • Each student should have an aptitude and interest for laboratory work. • A student would be expected to have a reasonable level of Junior Cert Maths, either at higher or ordinary level. • Essential for Veterinary Science and very useful for medicine (Requirement for UCC Medicine). • Huge link to Ireland’s pharmaceutical industry! • LC Chemistry syllabus: 100% exam • H 4 is a specific requirement for the following courses: Human Nutrition and Dietetics (D. I. T. ), Pharmacy (T. C. D, Medicine/ Dentistry/ Pharmacy (U. C. C. ) • H 5: Veterinary Medicine (U. C. D. ) 7

Biology • A considerable amount of learning and study is necessary to do well in this subject • Very useful for Medicine and all the sciences • More theoretical than Chemistry and Physics • H 4 is a specific requirement for Human Health and Disease (TCD), Biology through Arts (MU), and Genetics (UCC). • LC Biology Syllabus: 100% exam. • Important link to Sports, exercise, and fitness related courses. • Incorrect to regard it as the “easiest” science subject 8

Music • Students need not have studied music at Junior Level; however, they should have a good practical musical ability (instrument or singing). • Many students who have taken this subject have gone on to take Music at third level i. e. Cork IT school of Music, Arts with music, and Commercial Music at DIT, and Music Technology etc. • LC Music Ø 50% Practical Ø 50% Music Theory written exam 9

Art • Art is generally not an option if it wasn’t taken at Junior Cert level except when student can demonstrate to Art teacher(s) ability required. • Self-directed research skills and a good understanding of the design process is essential for Senior Level Art. • Portfolios are a requirement for most Art courses at third level. They require working on as soon as possible. • NEW Course began in 2018 - LC H/O: Ø 37. 5%: Art History written exam + 62. 5% practical. Ø Practical: Divided into two projects and one art practical exam Ø Design or Craft: Project completed over 10 weeks Ø Imaginative Composition or Still Life: Project completed over 10 weeks Ø Life Drawing: Art practical exam May/ LC 2 10

Design and Computer Graphics (DCG) • Ideal subject for careers in Technology, Computer Science, Architecture, Product Design, Engineering etc. • L. C. (DCG) 40% design based project with emphasis on use of CAD and Technology with 60% on 3 hour geometry drawing exam. 11

Engineering • Ideal subject for careers in Engineering, Mechanical trades, Aircraft Technician, Technology based careers etc. • Suitable for subjects who are practical and enjoy designing/creating things from metal. • Ø Ø Ø Engineering at Higher/ Ordinary Level: Project: 25% Practical 25% Written 50%. 12

Construction Studies • Ideal subject for students considering Apprenticeships, Architecture, Construction professions or Engineering Courses • Suitable for students who are practical, enjoy making and designing things. • Ø Ø Ø Construction at Higher Level: 25% project 25% practical exam 50% written exam • Ø Ø Ø Construction at Ordinary Level: 30% project 30% practical exam 40% written exam. 13

Accounting • While the student needs to be comfortable with numbers she/he does not need to be at higher maths level. • Offers a hard working student the real possibility of high grades because of the unambiguous nature of the questions. • An organized student with a likeness for order will be particularly suited to this course. • H 4 required to do Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at NUI Galway. • LC Accountancy syllabus is assessed by 100% exam. 14

Business • The course content is factual and requires a lot of learning, containing only a few mathematical elements. • Students should have an interest in business and current affairs and would have an up to date knowledge of economic environment. • Business skills are required everywhere. • An organized and consistent attitude to homework and study would be essential in this subject. • Many students go on to study Commerce at third level. • LC Business Studies Syllabus is a 100% theory based exam. 15

Geography • The new revised Leaving Certificate geography is an extension of the Junior Certificate geography programme. Consequently, potential students should ideally score a ‘C’ or higher at Junior Cert. • An all embracing subject. • Geography is everywhere! • H 4 T. C. D: Geography is accepted as a Science Subject for the following courses: Earth Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacy, Science • LC Geography: 20% Field Report & 80% exam. 16

History • History analyses things which have happened in the past. • Students should have a strong personal interest and know that the skills developed will last a lifetime. • Very useful for careers in Journalism, Communications, Teaching, Legal Studies and even Town Planning. • Studied through Arts Faculties at Universities as one of the Art subjects offerings but also as a specialisation. At Trinity College for example it is studied as a primary undergraduate degree (see CAO Code TR 003). • Assessment consists of two components: A written examination paper (80%) and A research study report (20%) submitted around Easter before the June exam. 17

Home Economics • Advisable for students opting for Leaving Certificate Home Economics to have completed the Junior Certificate course. • Much of the course is theory based. • “It’s all cooking” – Wrong! It is a wide course, covering many life skills – food, nursing, design, and childcare - and has a clear link with subjects such as Biology and Business Studies. • Many student have gone to do Culinary Arts or Home Economics teaching at St. Angela’s College, Sligo. • Leaving Certificate Exam: Journal 20% Written Exam 80% 18

Agricultural Science • Satisfies the laboratory science entry requirement for a number of 3 rd Level Science/Engineering/ Technology/Nursing courses. • You do not have to be from a farming background! • Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science Exam: 25% project and 75% written exam. 19

French • Needed for UCC, UCD, NUIG, MU, Milltown Institute, R. C. S. I. , St. Angela’s Sligo, Shannon College of Hotel and Catering and for the Cadetships in the Army and the Air Corps. • Arts/ Law/ Languages/ Business/ Health Care/ Medicine/ Psychology/ Social Science/ Veterinary Medicine courses at the NUI Colleges all require language at LC Level. • H 3/H 4: Specific entry requirement if taking a Language to Degree Level. • H 4: Speech and Language Therapy (UCC) 20

French (Continued) • Students who are considering working in international relations in the future (Monoglots are at a disadvantage in the global workplace!). • Considered a very useful business language. • Students who have shown an aptitude for French at Junior Certificate Level are highly recommended to continue on into Leaving Cert. • As a Latin language L. C. French provides an excellent foundation for beginners Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and even Romanian! 21

Do not neglect your Maths!! • A pass in ordinary level Maths is essential for entry to the majority of courses at third level It is required for practically everything including Universities, I. T. ’s, Apprenticeships, Nursing and the Gardaí (O 6/ H 7) • Courses that generally require higher level Maths at university level are in the areas of engineering, computer science and information and computer technology courses. Bonus points of 25 start at H 6! • If borderline at higher level, consider ordinary option! • 5, 000 students each year now choose foundation level Maths as some colleges and courses offer places to students who secure a minimum of a grade A or B in Maths at this level. You must neglect this subject! 22

3. Basic Entry Requirements • Universities and Honours Degree courses in IT’s demand a minimum of 6 subjects to include 2 subjects at H 5 and a minimum of 4 subjects at O 6/H 7. • NUI’s(UCC, UCD, NUIG, NUIM) demand passes in English, Irish, Maths and a third language. • NUI colleges have dropped their third language requirement for engineering and science programmes. UCD also dropped it for their agricultural programmes. • Nursing at NUI colleges never required a third language! 23

3. Basic Entry Requirements (cont. i) If you are considering Medical, Paramedical, Nursing, Science or Engineering courses you should select a science subject (or two for some courses) Ø Medicine/Dentistry Courses – TCD : Higher Level Ø Grade H 3 and a Higher Level Grade H 4 in two Laboratory sciences. Ø Medicine – UCD: Ordinary Level O 6/H 7 in any laboratory Science Subject. Ø Medicine – H 4 in Chemistry and either Physics or Biology. Ø Veterinary Medicine – UCD: Requires a Higher Level Grade H 5 in Chemistry. 24

3. Basic Entry Requirements (cont. ii) Ø Medicine/Dentistry Courses – UCC : Higher Level Grade C in Chemistry and a Higher Level Grade C in either Physics or Biology. Ø Human Nutrition – TU Dublin : Requires a Higher Level H 4 in Chemistry in Leaving Certificate. Ø Engineering – NUI Galway: H 5 in any two + H 4 in Maths and O 6/H 7 in laboratory science (Ag. Science accepted). 25

3. Basic Entry Requirements (Cont. iii ) Primary Teaching – Mary Immaculate: Grade H 5 on a Higher Level paper in not less than three subjects. Grade O 6/H 7 in three other subjects (Higher or Ordinary Level). Applicants must obtain as a minimum: Gaeilge - Grade H 4, Mathematics - O 4 or H 7, English - O 4 or H 7. Nursing – NUI Galway: Minimum Grade H 5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O 6/H 7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject or Agricultural Science), and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes. 26

S U B J E C T Re q s. S e a r c h 27

S U B J E C T Re q s. S e a r c h 28

How to choose subjects? • • Pick a subject you are interested in. Interest is key! Pick a subject you are good at! Pick a subject that you know you need. If you unsure about what happens after school then keep all your options by selecting subjects that cover all bases e. g. science subject if you are interested in it and of course languages! Seek advice from older students and siblings Check L. C. subject textbooks. Consult with subject teachers. Research careersportal. ie and qualifax. ie websites. Think about all of the above! Enjoy studying your carefully chosen subjects for the Leaving Certificate, 2019 -2021. 29

The Points System 30

Sample Student: Dillon Subject Irish English Maths French Biology Construction Geography Grade O 1 H 5 O 3 O 2 H 4 H 2 H 6 Points 56 56 37 x 46 66 88 46 The CAO automatically selects the highest six grades. Total Points = 358 31

Section B 32

The Leaving Cert Vocational Program (LCVP) • 2 year Leaving Cert based programme introduced in 1994 in response to the challenge placed on Ireland’s education system by a changing work/business environment (IT). • The programme is divided into 2 sections that compliment each other i. e. “Link Modules” Link Module 1: Preparation for the world of work Link Module 2: Enterprise Education • It adds a vocational dimension to the Leaving Cert. • Eligibility depends on specific subject choice combinations. 33

LCVP Eligibility • Student must take the Established Leaving Certificate i. e. Standard 7 subjects: Irish, English, Maths, French (3 rd Language) and 3 choice subjects. • After making their subject choices they can check to see if they are eligible to take the Link Modules as an extra subject based on the right subject combinations. • Students should never select subjects for the sole purpose of making themselves eligible. 34

Subject Combinations Vocational Subject Groupings (VSGs Specialist Groupings 1. Construction Studies; Engineering; Design and Communication Graphics; Technology - Any Two. 2 Physics and Construction Studies or Engineering or Technology or Design & Communication Graphics 3 Agricultural Science and Construction Studies or Engineering or Technology or Design & Communication Graphics 4 Agricultural Science and Chemistry or Physics/Chemis try 5 Home Economics; Agricultural Science; Biology Any Two 6 Home Economics and Art - Design Option or Craft Option 7 Accounting; Business; Economics - Any two 8 Physics and Chemistry 9 Biology and Chemistry or Physics/Chemis try 10 Biology and Agricultural Science 11 Art - Design Option or Craft Option and Design & Communication Graphics Services Groupings 12 Engineering or Technology or Construction Studies or Design & Communication Graphics and Accounting or Business or Economics 13 Home Economics and Accounting or Business or Econ omics 14 Agricultural Science and Accounting or Business or Economi cs 15 Art Design or Craftwork Option and Accounting or Business or Economic s 16 Music and Accounting or Business or Economic s 35

The Benefits of LCVP • • • Take responsibility for own learning. Become more innovative and enterprising. Communicate thoughts and ideas effectively. Investigate and plan career options. Develop key skills for the modern working environment. Work well with others as part of a team. Network with people in business and the community. Work Experience and better understand life outside school environment. Regular use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Use Link Modules result for gaining entry to third level courses (Over 80% use it for points!). 36

Link Modules Assessment Procedures • There is a common exam in this subject • 60% of the marks for the Portfolio which will contain 6 Typed vocationally related documents (Submitted to school authorities in March, 2021) • 40% of the marks for the written exam with many questions relating to what is in the portfolio above (Exam Hall in May, 2021) 37

Link Modules Points Distinction - 66 Merit – 46 Pass - 28 38

Sample Link Modules Student: Katie Subject Irish Grade H 4 Points 66 English Maths French Physics Accountancy O 2 H 3 H 2 H 3 46 113 77 88 77 Geography Link Modules H 7 37 Distinction 66 Total Points = 487 x x 39

L. C. Subject Choice Conclusion • It’s your choice – Select wisely (Interest, ability, and need). • 2 years of an enjoyable subject or choose to suffer in silence? • Think about what kind of learner you are – The idea of Multiple Intelligences (take subjects that suit your particular learning style). • Best of luck with the Leaving Certificate. 40

OVERVIEW

What is the Leaving Certificate Applied? It is a distinct, self-contained two-year Leaving Certificate programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life It emphasises forms of achievement and excellence which the established Leaving Certificate has not recognised in the past

Curriculum Vocational Preparation & Guidance English & Communications Mathematical Applications Information Technology Horticulture Engineering French, Irish Leisure & Recreation Arts Education Social Education Science Religion

Assessment 3 Modes Satisfactory completion of Modules 7 Student tasks Final examinations Total 62 credits (31%) 70 credits (35%) 68 credits (34%) 200 credits (100%) Certificate awarded at three levels: Pass (60 -69 %) (120 - 139 credits) Merit (70 -84 %) (140 - 169 credits) Distinction (85 -100 %) (170 - 200 credits)

Opening up New Options The Leaving Certificate Applied Route Map Further Leaving Education Certificate Post Leaving Applied Certificate Course Further &Higher Education • Vocational Preparation • Vocational Education FAS Apprenticeships Careers

Contacts for ‘Option’ Advice Subject Teachers Yearheads School Guidance Department Student Support Team Parents/Guardians Fellow Students www. careersportal. ie www. qualifax. ie

Considerations Subject Choice Options Subject Grouping Applying Subject Choice to L. C. V. P Subject Choice in Relation to Career Choice and Progression Matching Aptitudes and Skills with Academic Potential

References • • • Cao. ie Careersportal. ie Careersnews. ie Gradireland. com Education. ie Examinations. ie Pdst. ie Qualifax. ie Theleavingcert. com 48

Please feel free to ask any questions 49