LC subject choice

Carl1997

I have to choose my subjects for LC by March 1st 2012.
So far I've chosen Physics, Applied maths, Engineering and DCG. But then I found out that Applied maths is a 5th option so I can pick another subject too. I also want to do Engineering, but I didn't do metalwork for the JC but I do tech graphics, so would I be able to pick it up easily enough?
I want to do something like computer science or engineering, but I could change my mind again, are my subjects right for that kind of stuff?
And I know, im not doing a third language because it's NOT needed anymore, most people still think you need it, but 88% of courses in Ireland do not require a third language. Just pointing that out before someone says it.
I've been told that doing Honours maths, applied maths and physics will make the 3 of them easier and that its almost like doing the same test 3 times, is that true?
Also, any idea of what I should do for my 5th subject? I dont want to do chemistry or biology. And I dont know about history and geog but I dont think so. So basically its a business subject, but i never did business in JC either.
Thanks
EDIT: I was thinking of doing french because it's easy enough, but my class is way behind, and we don't know much of it

maughantourig

If you're doing applied maths, maths and physics together would be a massive advantage, but before committing to a maths-based career like engineering, ask yourself whether or not you ENJOY maths. I'm not asking if you're very good, just do you genuinely like the work.

As for engineering as a lc, I'd be worried about the practical side of it. It's something you have to practice for. DCG is a beautiful lc subject, (lack of homework/study). All it takes is practice, just like the practical in engineering.

Imagine if you never did tech graph for the junior cert and then tried to pick it up for the lc. I would compare that to practical engineering. The theory for engineering wouldn't be a big problem.

I dropped business after first year so I'll leave somebody else comment on that.

checkcheek

Carl1997 wrote: »

And I know, im not doing a third language because it's NOT needed anymore, most people still think you need it, but 88% of courses in Ireland do not require a third language. Just pointing that out before someone says it.

Ye most courses dont need it but i think every college needs it!!!! except trinity except irish as a language

whiteandlight

checkcheek wrote: »

Carl1997 wrote: »

And I know, im not doing a third language because it's NOT needed anymore, most people still think you need it, but 88% of courses in Ireland do not require a third language. Just pointing that out before someone says it.

Ye most courses dont need it but i think every college needs it!!!! except trinity except irish as a language

I would also say that it's not the college you need to worry about. More and more employers particularly the major companies based in Ireland are complaining that our graduates haven't got an additional language. Something to bear in mind

finality

doing maths, applied maths and physics is definitely not like doing the same exam three times. Physics has a lot of theory and understanding of concepts like optics, heat, electricity, and a lot of it is theory. That said the mathematical aspects of physics are awesome, I love the calculations. :P Applied maths makes honours maths seem easy.

Hmm, are you sure chemistry is out? If you change your mind on what you want to do, chemistry would keep a lot of science courses open. I nearly didn't do it, I ended up having to do it because of limited subject choices, and now as it turns out I need it for all the courses I want to do. I wanted to do computer science or electronic engineering in fourth year too, but a few months ago I changed my mind and I now want to do either medicine or neuroscience. I'm really glad I kept my options open with chemistry, otherwise I'd be in a pretty bad situation now. Just a thought.

Carl1997

checkcheek wrote: »

Ye most courses dont need it but i think every college needs it!!!! except trinity except irish as a language

So I need to have a third language to get into a college, but it's not required for any of the courses? Are you sure?

finality

Carl1997 wrote: »

So I need to have a third language to get into a college, but it's not required for any of the courses? Are you sure?

you don't need a third language for most science/engineering courses, I believe. Just checked UCD and they don't require one.

Carl1997

finality wrote: »

you don't need a third language for most science/engineering courses, I believe. Just checked UCD and they don't require one.

Ye thats what I thought, NUIs only need it for things like Arts, Human sciences, medicine, social sciences and a few others. Nothing Im interested in.

MegGustaa

Carl1997 wrote: »

I have to choose my subjects for LC by March 1st 2012.
So far I've chosen Physics, Applied maths, Engineering and DCG. But then I found out that Applied maths is a 5th option so I can pick another subject too. I also want to do Engineering, but I didn't do metalwork for the JC but I do tech graphics, so would I be able to pick it up easily enough?
I want to do something like computer science or engineering, but I could change my mind again, are my subjects right for that kind of stuff?
And I know, im not doing a third language because it's NOT needed anymore, most people still think you need it, but 88% of courses in Ireland do not require a third language. Just pointing that out before someone says it.
I've been told that doing Honours maths, applied maths and physics will make the 3 of them easier and that its almost like doing the same test 3 times, is that true?
Also, any idea of what I should do for my 5th subject? I dont want to do chemistry or biology. And I dont know about history and geog but I dont think so. So basically its a business subject, but i never did business in JC either.
Thanks
EDIT: I was thinking of doing french because it's easy enough, but my class is way behind, and we don't know much of it

Maths, Physics and Applied Maths are all very different! Yes, they are linked but don't think you're doing the same paper thrice! And if you're thinking of taking up a business subject, either Business or Economics would be manageable enough without JC Business, from what my friends say (Business moreso than Economics).

Also as for the third language, it'd be an awful shame not to have it. Just because you don't explicitly need it for university doesn't mean it won't limit you in some other way later on. Plus you may change your mind between now and 2014 (I assume that's when you'll be sitting the Leaving) about what you want to do or where. I know I wanted to do European Studies more than anything else this time last year, now I'm hell-bent on Maths in Trinity (and for years I thought I was set on medicine!). Basically you really shouldn't cut off opportunities and options so early on. The Leaving Cert is not the time to overspecialise.

This is purely a suggestion, but if you don't want to continue French, and want to take up a new language for the Leaving, and you live in Dublin, maybe think about Japanese? There are free classes in St Michael's College every Saturday for 5th and 6th Yrs. I believe they also do Russian in another school, also for free. Both count as a third language for matriculation purposes and you only start them in 5th yr so the standard isn't quite as high. Japanese in particular could be a helpful advantage if you want to go into engineering! And as someone who's doing in in 5th yr now, it is not as hard as you might think it is

checkcheek

thats the point i was making, try and keep as many doors open as possible, cause you might be dead set on something now but who knows this time next week,month year!! People always change the minds!!

**Timbuk2**

As said, Maths, Applied Maths and Physics are very different. I loved Maths and Applied Maths, but there's not as much overlap as you might think!

Applied Maths makes the mechanics part of Physics very easy - Physics doesn't really make Applied Maths any easier. Applied Maths can help you with Maths as it develops problem-solving skills and gives you plenty of practice with trigonometry and integration, but it's certainly not the same exam twice!

Call Me Lia

Accounting.
It's very common to combine honours maths, physics, applied maths and accounting (like I did) because they are all very numerate and require similar skills (use of logic etc). Though it's difficult to get your head around some of the accounts at first, it gets really easy after a bit of practise (and even enjoyable sometimes) .

Economics is a subject I've heard is very easy to do well in for the leaving cert (even for people with pass maths even though there are calculations involved) but is still interesting at the same time. I'm not studying it now purely because places for it in my school were chosen through random selection and I wasn't lucky there . I chose chemistry instead, which brings me onto my next point...

Chemistry. I was completely against doing it before, but my family suggested it would be a good option and I went with it. I'm so glad I did. It's difficult, there's hard concepts and learning off of chemical names and definitions involved, but it more than makes up for that by being so darn interesting! It's fascinating learning about the thing that binds our world together and gives us different reactions when elements come together.
There's a whole section in physics that's very similar to chemistry (the atom, radioactivity) and knowing chemistry really does add to how much you understand in physics (eg knowing why transition elements can accept different amounts of electrons in their outer shells explains why metals are better conductors etc). And you'll be able to make these links yourself after a while which is always a great feeling.

So those are my suggestions: accounting, economics or chemistry.
I'd advise looking into each a bit further and see what you'd like and would be capable of more.
Hope that helps!

agloriousbite

you don't need 3rd language for most courses but u need it to get into most universities for eg. u need a language to go UCC except if your doing nursing and u need a language for NUI and UCD, u don't need one for UL and DCU. I gave up a language so i researched this. so for example u want to do a course in UCC that doesn't require a language but the university does so u can't do it. i regret giving it up it does limit yout options i would recommend doing pass and passing that. Hope this helps people who are confused about third language.