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St. Mary’s Secondary School

Subject Choice for Senior Cycle

● English

● Irish

● Maths

AND

7 subjects are studied for the Leaving

Certificate exams…

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Choose 4 from the following….

Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Accounting, Business, Economics

Art, Design & Communication Graphics (DCG), Music

Geography, History

Home Economics

French, German

Physical Education 3

Subjects dropped

in 1st year

May be taken up for

the Leaving Cert

May be

difficult to

take up for

L. Cert

May not be taken up for the

Leaving Cert

Art Art

Business Studies Business Studies /

Economics

Accounting

Home Economics Home Economics

Science Biology / Physics Chemistry

Technical

Graphics (TG)

Design & Communication

Graphics (DCG)

Music Music 4

● What subjects do you like?

● What subjects are you good at or do well in? Are you pleased

with your results in the Junior Cert?

● What career area are you interested in? Does this career

require certain subjects?

What subjects should you choose?

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● What subjects are necessary for the career I

might like to pursue?(Science subject for Nursing / paramedical

courses such as Physiotherapy, Speech & Language Therapy etc.)

● What subjects might be useful for the career I

might like to pursue? (Physics / DCG for Engineering, Computer Science

DCG / Art for Architecture

History / Economics for Law)

Points to note:

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● Basic entry to all 3rd level courses - 6 subjects

● Most courses - English, Irish, Maths (NUI - UCC, UCD, NUIG,

Maynooth University - require a 3rd language for some courses)

● Some courses have a specific entry requirement - usually a

Science subject e.g. Nursing, Engineering, Food Science,

Architecture, Medicine, Physiotherapy etc.

Entry Requirements...

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Quick Guide to Subjects

History: 20% of final marks for research paper submitted before exams. 3 essays in final

exam. Topics from 100 years studied. Good English skills, interest in reading.

Geography: Geographic investigation worth 20% submitted in April before exams.

Home Ec.: 20% of marks for course journal submitted in Oct. of 6th yr. Food science is

essential part of subject plus option of textiles, social studies, home design. Students who

study Biology and Business will find some overlap in topics which can be useful!

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Quick Guide to Subjects

Physics: Strong maths element but H.L. maths is not required. Must maintain a lab

book, learn formulae, perform 24 experiments.

Chemistry: Chemical components of a series of prescribed experiments are learned.

Required to present the elements of 4 such experiments in the L.C. exam. H.L. Maths

not required but a student must have an interest in working with calculations.

Biology: 24 mandatory experiments. Record these in a lab manual. Lots of theory to

learn. Perceived as easier than other sciences but has high failure rate at Ordinary

Level.

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Quick Guide to Subjects

Business: Looks at how organisations are formed, financed and run. It explores the services that

support businesses - insurance, banking, transport, public service bodies.

Accounting: Students who enjoyed the bookkeeping part of Junior Cert business should

consider accounting. Working with accounts is the core activity. For those with strong numeracy

and reasoning skills.

Economics: Economics has a mathematical slant as well as graphic and theoretical work.

Examines international trade, the role of govt. & E.U. in controlling the economy. Looks at

inner workings of companies.20% project completed before final exam.

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Quick Guide to Subjects

Art: 50% is for written Art History paper, 50% for continuous assessment project

work and a still life drawing completed in May

Music: Usually a subject that is followed on from J.C. Music practical and theory work

are main components. (50% Practical)

DCG: Graphics and design are communicated using freehand sketching skills,

traditional draughting equipment and CAD. 2-D & 3-D graphics are analysed. Useful

subject for Architecture, Engineering, Computers.

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Quick Guide to Subjects

Physical Education: Suitable for students who have a strong interest in sports,

physical fitness and or other physical activities. 50% for written paper with questions

such as factors that affect participation and performance in physical activity. Project

20% (choose 1 of 6 activity categories and choose a role i.e. performer,

coach/choreographer. Look at performance analysis, goals, training, reflection).

Performance Assessment 30% record footage of chosen activity demonstrating

techniques, skills and understanding of rules.

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Points System

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All Science courses require at least 1 Science subject -

(Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Medical courses

Nursing Engineering

Radiography P.E Teaching

(DCU)

Speech and Language Therapy Occupational Therapy

Podiatry Dental Science

Biotechnology Biomedical

Science

Nutritional Sciences Veterinary Nursing

Primary teaching Courses in the U.K.

And all Science based degrees

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•Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy at UCC 2H4

•Pharmacy at Trinity 2H4

•Dentistry, Medicine at Trinity H3+H4

•Physiotherapy, Genetics at Trinity 2H4

•Science at Trinity 2H4

•Medicinal Chemistry at Trinity 2H4

•UK Paramedical courses

N.B. 2 Science subjects required for...

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CHEMISTRY

Is required for:

•Human Nutrition & Biomed Science - DIT

•Dentistry - UCC

•Medicine - UCC (plus either Physics or Biology)

•Veterinary Science - UCD

•Pharmacy - TCD, UCC & RCSI

•Medicine (5 year programme NUIG & RCSI)

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● Arts ● Language Degree/Degree with a language ● Journalism ● Commerce ● Law ● Medicine ● Occupational Therapy ● Social Science

● Speech and Language Therapy at UCC ● Clinical Speech/ language studies (Trinity)

English or Third language

Language Requirements...

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25 extra points are added to a Higher Level Maths student’s score

in the Leaving Cert for grades between H1-H6

example: L.C. Grade H1 at Higher level = 100 points

L.C. Grade H1 in Maths H.L. = 125 points

Maths Grade H4 at H.L. (60%/70% 66 points) +

25 bonus points = 91 points

Higher Level Maths

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● Most Engineering courses in University (H4)

● Degrees for which Maths is a core component of the course

● Computer Science (TCD)

● Theoretical Physics (TCD)

● Actuarial & Financial Studies (UCD)

● Economics & Finance (UCD)

Higher Level Maths is required for...

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The Maths Question

● A pass in ordinary level maths is essential for

entry to the majority of courses

● Failing to secure O6 (D grade) @ O.L. will put you in

a difficult position!

● Don’t neglect your studies in Maths!!!!

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● Subject teachers speaking to classes about their particular

subject

● Meeting with the guidance counsellor to explore

– Likes and dislikes

– Aptitudes and abilities

– Careers of interest

– Subjects that would be useful for these careers

– Requirements for these career areas

Choosing the right subjects for you!

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What is the easiest subject and what’s the

hardest?

● There are no ‘soft’ subjects

● By studying something you are really

good at, it will seem easier!

● As a result, you will probably get higher

marks in your favourite subjects = more points!!

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Top 6 in order of preference

1. ________

2. ________

3. ________ Deadline ?.

4. ________

5. ________

6. ________

Choices are entered into the computer

Computer generates an options timetable based on

demand for subjects

The Subject Choice Process...

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● Subjects for which there is little or no demand will run at the

same time

● Subjects for which there is little demand may not be available

and students will make another choice from what is available

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Unfortunately not all students will get their top 3 choices ● Not enough students want to do the subject to make it viable for a

class

● Two subjects that your daughter wants to do might be on at the same time

● A class might be oversubscribed - was their application in on time?

- the preference rating of the subject

- significance of the subject to the student

- student behaviour/record in the subject

- random selection 25

School Policy is to enter a student into L.C.V.P. when her subject choices fall into specific groupings

● L.C.V.P. is an extra subject (can use for points)

● Most of work is in 5th year - Portfolio work

● Written exam in May of 6th year

● Portfolio 60% Exam 40%

Distinction(80-100%) 66 points

Merit(65%-79%) 46 points

Pass (50-64%) 28 points

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

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● Home Economics & Biology

● Home Economics & Art

● Physics & DCG

● Biology & Physics or Chemistry

● Physics & Chemistry

● Home Economics & Business or Accounting or Econom

● Any 2 Business subject (Acc/Econ/Bus)

● Art & Business or Accounting or Economics

● Art & DCG

● DCG & Business or Accounting or Economics

L.C.V.P. Subject Combinations

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www.careersportal.ie

www.studyclix.ie www.cao.ie

Colleges & Universities websites e.g. www.wit.ie www.ucc.ie

How to search for courses & requirements

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● Meet with Guidance Counsellor

● Subject choice is examined and explored in S.P.H.E. class

● 3rd Year students receive DATs scores highlighting areas of greatest

aptitude

● T.Y. students are currently being assisted with subject choice queries

Guidance and Counselling at St. Mary’s...

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● Closing Date for Subject Choice is

Thursday Junuary 30th

2020

● Subject Choice booklet available to download

on: www.stmarysnewross.org

https://careersportal.ie/school/subjectexplorer.php

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