Scientifically-inclined students need to do their homework when it comes to courses. There is a bewilderingly vast array of courses on offer from earth sciences to food science to sports science to biotechnology and genetics.
Many have problems identifying exactly which area they would like to specialise in. Common-entry programmes, such as science/applied science in UCD, UG, NUI Maynooth, DIT and TCD, afford students an opportunity to sample a number of subjects before they make up their minds. If you opt for a common-entry programme it is essential to read the college prospectus to find out what subjects are offered. For instance, DIT's applied sciences programme does not include biology.
If you know exactly what you want you should head for a direct-entry programme. The following is a sample of some of the direct-entry courses on offer.
Applied Physiology And Health Science
Carlow RTC's national certificate in science (applied physiology and health science) is an increasingly popular course which provides a good foundation for a variety of careers in the health sciences area. Last year, the cut-off was 380* points. [QL ]
The college has produced a list which chronicles the transfer of 1997 graduates into universities in Britain and Northern Ireland. This includes eight students progressing to physiotherapy degrees; 10 to occupational therapy; six to radiography; five to speech therapy; four to sports science/medicine, one to pharmacy and two to biomedical science.
Materials Science At UL
UL offers a four-year degree in materials science. Materials studied range from polymers to ceramics to metals, composites, biomaterials and opto-electronic materials. Prof Martin Buggy explains that the main thrust of the course is to understand the structure-property relationships of materials so you can choose the right material for an engineering process.
UL's recent graduate survey shows 10 of the 19 respondents (1996 graduates) had gained employment by April 1997. A further five graduates were engaged in research work or further study. Three were seeking employment while one was not available for work or study.
Applied Physics
PROF Tom Glynn of UG contacted College Choice to highlight the excellent employment opportunities that await applied physics graduates. These graduates are being "hoovered out" into the software area, he says. "Applied physics provides excellent training in a broad range of technical areas and, almost unconsciously, develops excellent computing skills in graduates also," he adds. UG offers degrees in applied physics and electronics (with computing options) and experimental physics (also with computing options). Students can enter via the common-entry science option (GY301) or the denominated option (GY302).
Tallaght RTC has introduced a new certificate in instrumentation and applied physics. Entry is via the common-entry national certificate (TA003).
And still with physics, Dr Norman McMillan of Carlow RTC contacted College Choice to highlight the opportunities offered by the college's certificate in applied physics/photonics. Subject to exam results, students can progress to a diploma in photonics and can then transfer to the final year of a BSc in physical opto-electronics in Essex University, England. Dr McMillan is concerned that students labour under the perception that physics is extremely difficult. In fact, their course has one of the best pass rates, he says. Carlow RTC has produced a video, "Careers in photonics", which outlines the possibilities offered by the Carlow RTC-Essex University route.
Agricultural Science At UCD
Many urban students assume that agricultural science is aimed at farmers' sons. In fact, more than half of the students are from non-farm backgrounds and 40 per cent are women. The faculty of agriculture in UCD offers nine specialisms under the umbrella of its agricultural science programme. Students take a common first year and then specialise in animal and crop production, animal science, agribusiness and rural development, agricultural and environmental science, food science, engineering technology, commercial horticulture, landscape horticulture or forestry.
UCD's latest graduate survey shows that 58.4 per cent of agricultural science graduates went directly into full-time employment. One-third of 1996 graduates went on to further study or research work, while 2.1 per cent were seeking employment at the time of the survey.
Toxicology At Athlone RTC
Dr Siobhan Finnegan, head of the school of science at Athlone RTC, which is the national centre for toxicology, says the school has two departments - applied biology and applied chemistry. After four years students can end up with a BSc in applied chemistry or toxicology. Students progress via a certificate in applied biology to an add-on diploma in toxicology. And from there, if they do sufficiently well in their exams, they can do an add-on degree. Dr Finnegan says that the graduate unemployment rate is less than 5 per cent. "You usually only hear about computers and electronics when it comes to skills shortages. However, there is a skills shortage in the chemistry area," she says.
Marine Science At UG
The Martin Ryan Institute in UG is a state-of-the-art facility devoted to the marine sciences. The college offers a degree in marine science (410* points in 1997). Prof Michael Guiry says "our marine resources are very poorly developed. We need to build up a level of expertise. We need people out there with a good education who are prepared to work. We need innovators and entrepreneurs. Our aim is to give a good basic training in marine science, basic sciences, ecology and environmental sciences". There are no ready-made jobs but it is a very exciting area, he says.
Food Science At UCC
UCC is the only Irish university which has a full faculty dedicated to food science. The college offers five food-related degrees from science and technology to nutrition, engineering (food process) and business. Prof Charlie Daly says the science and technology programmes would suit students in biological sciences and their application to food.
Students who opt for DIT's applied science degree can also specialise in food science and technology. UL offers a four-year degree in food technology while students can study food science within UCD's agricultural science programme. At cert/diploma level, there are programmes available in DIT, Dundalk RTC, Letterkenny RTC and Sligo RTC. Students should also check common-entry science programmes for food science and related specialisations.
Sports And Exercise Science, UL
In 1993, UL introduced a four-year degree in sports science and exercise, the only such undergraduate programme in the Republic. Prof Phil Jakeman explains that what they have is "a young and exciting degree which uses the vehicle of sports and exercise in order to study science". There are three main strands - physiology, psychology and biomechanics. The multi-disciplinary approach is needed, he explains, as performers are integrated organisms and the various approaches make up a composite picture of how an athlete works or fails. Of the 24 students who graduated last year, the majority have gone on to further study. There are 35 places in first year and the cut-off was 475* points last year.
The Fate Of 1996 Science Graduates
Almost half of all 1996 science graduates (degree level) gained full-time employment by April 1997, according to Higher Education Authority statistics. Just over one-third went on to research work or further academic study while 2 per cent went into teacher-training. The proportion seeking employment at the time of the survey was 3.5 per cent, which compares favourably with an overall graduate unemployment rate of 3.6 per cent.
Surprisingly, the most important sectors of employment for science graduates in Ireland were the insurance, financial, business and commercial computer services sectors (29.5 per cent). These were also the most important employment sectors for arts graduates. The next most important sector for science graduates was the more traditional chemical, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors (18.6 per cent).
At national certificate level, 28 per cent of graduates went directly into full-time jobs while 62 per cent went on to further study, presumably at diploma level. Some 4.9 per cent of certificate graduates were seeking employment.
At diploma level, 48.9 per cent of graduates went on to further study while 42.5 per cent were employed in full-time jobs. The proportion seeking employment was 4.6 per cent.
Add-On Science Degrees
Eight colleges offer students the opportunity to progress via the certificate/diploma route to degree level. These are of equal value to ab-initio degrees and the free fees initiative applies as you progress up the ladder. So do not write off certificates and diplomas, even if you are only interested in a degree. Certificates and diplomas are valuable qualifications in their own right.
Athlone RTC: BSc in applied chemistry; BSc in toxicology; Carlow RTC: BSc in industrial biology; transfer arrangements with Essex University for a BSc in physical opto-electronics and a BSc in environmental and industrial chemistry. Cork Institute of Technology: BSc in biomedical science offered in conjunction with UCC; BSc in analytical chemistry with quality assurance; BSc in applied physics and instrumentation; Dundalk RTC: BSc in food science; Sligo RTC: BSc in quality assurance; BSc in environmental chemistry; BSc in occupational safety and health; transfer arrangement into the college's ab-initio degree in environmental science and technology; Tallaght RTC: BSc in applied chemistry; BSc in bioanalytical science; Tralee RTC: BSc in analytical science with product/process development; BSc in health and leisure; WIT: BSc in chemistry and quality management.
(*Random selection applied.)
Additional reporting by Catherine Foley