Psychology at NUI Maynooth
Psychology is one of the most sought-after degrees in the CAO system, so NUI Maynooth's new degree should attract a high number of applicants. Prof Dermot Barnes-Holmes explains students can enter psychology via a denominated degree, course code MH106, or through arts.
There are 20 first-year places available under MH106, with up to five places reserved for mature students. The college is in the process of applying to the British and Irish psychological societies to have the degree accredited.
Prof Barnes-Holmes is concerned that students who opt for the direct-entry psychology degree know what they are letting themselves in for. He suggests would-be psychologists get hold of a standard introductory textbook (available in any large bookshop), and "give it a good read to get a feel for what it's about".
The vast majority of undergraduate psychology degrees contain a great deal of science. Psychology is not therapy, he stresses. First-year students in Maynooth can expect to learn about research methods, research design and statistics as well as developmental psychology and social psychology.
If you want to take psychology through the arts route, you should be aware that there are only 50 first-year places. These will be awarded on the basis of Leaving Cert. points. And the competition doesn't end there. If you wish to continue with psychology in second year you must compete for the 15 available places.
Wherever you do your psychology course, you should be prepared to continue your studies to postgraduate level if you wish to practise as a professional psychologist. Your primary degree is only the beginning of the learning process.
Manufacturing engineering with management science at TCD
Here's a degree you may not have heard about as it is not listed in the CAO handbook or the most recent update from the CAO. Approved late, this new four-year degree combines engineering and business.
Course co-ordinator Dr Kevin O'Kelly says "almost 80 per cent of all engineering graduates end up in manufacturing environments and, within the first year, most find themselves involved in project management and other management activities. If nothing else, they will have to argue or defend their technical decisions in business terms".
The degree comprises 80 per cent mechanical and manufacturing engineering and 20 per cent management science. So students will find themselves tackling subjects such as marketing, finance, quality systems, information systems and human resource management. Many engineers find themselves returning to college to study for MBAs to equip themselves with the necessary business skills. Dr O'Kelly notes this can be both expensive and awkward.
For those who wish to combine engineering and business, there will be 20 first-year places on this new degree (TR038) and subject requirements include a higher-level C3 in Leaving Cert. maths.
TCD does not have a formal requirement for its engineering students to complete an industrial placement; however, many students find work between third and fourth years, and it is expected that students of this degree will continue in this vein.
Computing and enterprise studies at Tralee IT
This degree was offered for the first time last year. It was made available late and applications were handled by the college rather than the CAO. The cut-off points were 350.
This year, the course is listed in the CAO handbook (TL320) and there are 45 first-year places. Dr Seamus O'Shea, head of computing, says the programme comprises 25 per cent enterprise studies and 75 per cent computing.
Research shows that 15 to 20 per cent of students will start their own business within five years of graduating, he says, although the degree is also suited to students who do not want to set up their business as there is sufficient computing. The college is ideally located, in terms of local enterprise, as it is flanked by the new Kerry Technology Park.
Law at NUI Galway
The new bachelor of civil law, offered by NUI Galway, is similar to the degrees already on offer in UCD, UCC and TCD. Prof Tom O'Malley explains "it's a three-year programme and, essentially, is a pure law degree. Students will take the full range of law subjects that they will need for admission to the professional course. In addition, they can choose various options," he says. The college already offers a successful undergraduate degree programme in corporate law. And NUI Galway is unique in that students can take a joint honours BA programme in law and another arts subject, says Prof O'Malley.
The expansion of the law courses on offer at undergraduate level at NUI Galway will be complemented by the introduction of a new master's programme in human rights law.
Landscape horticulture and food science at UCD
Both courses were previously offered through agricultural science only. This year, students can apply through direct entry codes DN040 (food science) and DN041 (landscape horticulture), as well as through DN010 (agricultural science).
Prof Michael Hennerty says food science and landscape horticulture are quite different from the other agriculture degrees - animal and crop production, animal science, agribusiness and rural development, agricultural and environmental science, engineering technology, commercial horticulture, and forestry. For this reason, it was decided to offer direct-entry routes. It is also testing the thesis that UCD would move towards a direct-entry approach for all nine of its agriculture specialisms.
Prof Hennerty says the college has been in touch with guidance counsellors and many were unaware that UCD offers landscape horticulture. The programme tends to attract about 15 students each year when it can accommodate about 25.
The programme would suit second-level students with a flair for sketching and design as it includes a "strong artistic element", he says. It is hoped the course will soon be affiliated to the European Federation of Landscape Architects which would allow graduates to practise in any country in the EU. As to career prospects at present, there are lots of jobs, Prof Hennerty says.
Open Days
College open days can be the best way to come to grips with what a course actually entails. They allow you to meet staff and students, ask questions, and view facilities at first hand.
UCD's faculty of commerce is holding an open evening for the Bachelor of Commerce (international) degree tomorrow from 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in lecture theatre C201, Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin. The evening will begin with a detailed presentation of the degree programme and end with the opportunity to meet staff from the faculty of commerce, the relevant language departments of the faculty as arts as well as current and past students. Light refreshments will be served.
The Royal Irish Academy of Music is holding an open afternoon on Wednesday from 2.30 to 4.30 p.m. Aimed at second-level students interested in pursuing their musical studies to third level, the afternoon will focus on the BA in music performance, the bachelor of music education, the access course and the diploma in music.
As well as information, those attending will be treated to short concerts by third-level students. Tea and coffee will be served.
The BA in music performance is a four-year honours degree, validated by DCU. The primary emphasis is on practical studies, both solo and ensemble. The course also includes modules on aural training, compositional techniques and the history of music. Students will have the opportunity to participate in choir, orchestra (for orchestral instruments), accompaniment (for keyboard players) and opera and phonetics classes (for singers).
The bachelor in music education is also a four-year honours degree, validated by TCD, and run in conjunction with DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. Graduates of the course are qualified to work as secondary school teachers.
The access course is a one-year, full-time course aimed at helping students who wish to study music at third level, while the diploma in music teaching and performance in also a one-year, full-time course.
Further information on the open day from the RIAM, Tel: 01 676 4412
UCD's faculty of agriculture has an information evening for Leaving Certificate students and their parents on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. in the agriculture and food science building, Belfield.
The evening will focus on careers in areas such as nutrition and food safety, landscape design, protecting the environment, biotechnology, forest management, agri-busines, enterprise planning, animal science and crop science. Prof Joseph Mannion, dean of the faculty of agriculture, says: "Faculty research conducted annually shows about 60 per cent of graduates are in employment within three months of leaving university, while over 30 per cent go on to do postgraduate research or further training." Tel: (01) 706 7194.
Help-Line
Students, parents and teachers with queries about colleges, courses and application procedures are invited to call the College Choice help-line between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. today. Tel: (01) 679 1915/6791919