Technology has changed forever how information is communicated around our global village. It has also changed the world in which those involved in journalism, media and communications work, writes Brian Mooney.
The programmes outlined below provide students with the skills to work in this rapidly changing, high-tech world.
Journalism
Journalism is offered at DCU (DC132) and DIT (FT553), which offers journalism with the option of Irish, French, German or Spanish. Points in 2007 were 455 and 415 respectively.
Modules taught include media technology, reading media, news reporting, law, feature writing and radio journalism.
DCU also offers Irish and journalism (DC239), in response to the enactment of the Official Languages Act and the recent granting of official status to the Irish language in the EU. This programme required 455 points in 2007.
For those who are prepared to pay tuition fees, Griffith College Dublin (GC450) offers journalism and visual media, while Dublin Business School (DB565) offers a three-year journalism degree.
In 2008 University of Limerick is introducing a degree in journalism and new media (LM039), designed to develop the skills required of journalists as well as help students understand the role played by the media in contemporary society.
Communications
DCU (DC131) offers communications but, as with journalism, entry is competitive, with 440 points required in 2007. NUI Galway offers a four-year communications degree (GY106) based in Carraroe, which required 320 points in 2007.
At ordinary degree level, Dundalk IT and Dublin Business School offer communications and multimedia programmes.
Media studies
NUI Maynooth is offering media studies (MH109). The points required in 2007 were 445. There is also a BA in multimedia (with other arts subjects) and a BSc in multimedia (with science subjects) at Maynooth.
Dún Laoghaire IADT offers a broad degree programme in English, media and cultural studies (DL241), which required 350 points in 2007.
UL offers a four-year programme in Irish and new media studies (LM048), at 350 points in 2007. In 2008, Tralee IT is introducing TV and new media broadcasting (TL291) for those interested in working in the broadcasting industry.
Social science/sociology/social care
As phrases like "corporate social responsibility", "knowledge economy" and "active citizenship" become more commonplace, social science becomes an increasingly relevant and engaging option for socially-minded students.
Social science in UCD offers a range of seven specific career themes such as "crime and social order" or "environment".
There are nine level-eight degree programmes available. UCD (DN007), Maynooth (MH107), Cork (CK102) and Dublin Business School (DB566) offer social science degrees. Trinity College Dublin offer three programmes (TR081, TR083, TR084): sociology; sociology and social policy; and social studies-social work. DIT offers social care (DT571) and Athlone IT offers social care practice (AL054).
Applied social studies - social care level-eight degrees - are available at the Institutes of Technology in Limerick (LC921), Waterford (WD135) and Blanchardstown (BN107). Level-seven degrees, with options for add-on higher degrees, are available from the ITs at Blanchardstown (BN011), Carlow (CW017 & 717), Cork (CR031), Dundalk (DK764), Sligo (SG233), Tralee (TL190) and Waterford (WD018). Level-six programmes are available in Athlone (AL006) and at St Patrick's in Carlow (PC404).
NUI Cork offers two degree programmes in social science (CK114) and social work (CK115) for mature students with a background of this type of work.
Agricultural science
UCD offers 10 agricultural science programmes. Agricultural science (DN010) enables students to take courses in basic sciences in the first year, with the option of pursuing any of the following degrees in year two: the recently-introduced degree in animal science - equine (DN409);
animal and crop production (DN045); animal science (DN046); food and agribusiness management (DN043); agri-environmental sciences (DN044);
food science (DN040); engineering technology (DN047); horticulture, landscape and sports turf management (DN048); landscape architecture (DN041); and forestry (DN042).
NUI Maynooth offers a course in equine business (MH405) for students interested in the business aspects of the equine industry.
Food science
UCC offers nutritional science (CK504), food science and technology (CK505), food business (CK501), and international development and food policy (CK506).
UL offers food science and health (LM068), which blends food microbiology, chemistry and processing with modules such as human nutrition and physiology, exercise and health.
DIT has courses in human nutrition and dietetics (DT233), and food technology /pharmaceutical technology (DT480).
UCD has introduced a new BSc in human nutrition (DN090), which looks at the science of the relationship between food and health and includes work experience for students who may wish to become registered nutritionists.
At ordinary degree level, DIT offers food processing-pharmaceutical manufacture (DT481); Dundalk IT offers food science and health (DK782); and Letterkenny IT offer food science and nutrition (LY837). Institutes of Technology in Cork (CR010), Dundalk (DK685), Galway-Mayo (GA777), and Waterford (WD098) offer level-six and level-seven programmes in agricultural and food sciences. Waterford IT is introducing a course on science and food with business (WD782).
Every weekday, until the deadline at the end of the month, careers expert Brian Mooney will guide you through the CAO process and outline the best possible options.
ADVICE PODCAST: Listen or download the podcast for advice on how to complete the application form, and for an overview of the current CAO process at: www.ireland.com/education/
Tomorrow: law, psychology and sport