The public believes high points are needed for physics and computer studies at college, but entry points for many such courses are actually lower than for arts, a new survey has shown.
The survey of 1,200 adults was carried out in May and June for the Science, Technology and Innovation Awareness Programme, run by Forfas for the Office of Science and Technology.
Respondents were asked to estimate the level of points required to take third-level courses in physics, computer studies, business studies and arts. 64 per cent said high points were needed to study physics, and 57 per cent thought they were necessary for computer studies.
In contrast, only 31 per cent and 19 per cent thought high points were needed to study business studies and arts respectively.
The chairman of the STI Awareness Steering Group, Mr Colm Regan, said these findings were one factor in explaining the recent fall in applications for science and science-related courses.
"Many school-leavers were deterred from studying science subjects because they and their parents believe that higher points are required for entry to third-level science courses than for other third-level courses. However, in recent years this has not been the case. While science subjects are academically demanding, the number of points required are in fact lower than students perceive."
He gave a number of examples based on 1998 Central Applications Office figures.
In NUI Galway, points for physics and science were lower than for arts and commerce. In the Dublin Institute of Technology, points for physics were lower than for business studies.
In UCC, points for computer studies were lower than for arts, while in NUI Maynooth, points for science and computer science were lower than for arts, and in TCD points for physics and computer science were lower than for most arts subjects.
He said that because of the absence of high-profile role models - people like high-achieving businessmen - with a science and technology background, "there remains a need to communicate a link between the excellent science and technology careers that exist and the taking of these subjects at the Leaving Certificate and higher levels of education."