Your questions answered by Brian Mooney.BRIAN MOONEY
Today's column answers some questions and provides some additional information, arising from my recent College Choice series, which prospective CAO applicants can use when exercising the change of mind option later in the year.
Undergraduate bursaries of up to £1,000 (€1,466) a year to study physics are to be made available by the Institute of Physics. The scheme is open to students who will start their degrees in 2006. Participating colleges are DCU, DIT, NUI Maynooth and TCD. The grants are for undergraduates starting an IOP accredited physics course from September 2006. Each college will use its own criteria to allocate the funds. Eighteen bursaries a year will be available. For further details, see http://learningphysics.iop.org/beyond_school/university/ubs.html
Physics with Medical Physics and Bioengineering (DT235) in the DIT is strongly focused on careers in the medical devices industry, and on the applications of physics in medical technology and devices, medical treatment, medical diagnostics, and bioengineering, which is the use of engineering and science in medical and biological applications such as the design and engineering of artificial limbs and implants, rehabilitation engineering, advanced biocompatible materials, and medical information databases.
NUI Galway, which has also invested in biomedical engineering science, hosts the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science - see www.nuigalway.ie/ncbes/ - and offers two undergraduate programmes: GY303 biomedical science and GY408 biomedical engineering.
The DIT no longer offers the level 7 course in construction technology (DT103). From this year, it offers a level 8 honours degree in construction management (DT117).
The BSc in Building Surveying at Dundalk IT is the only Level 8 degree in building surveying, and graduates receive exam exemptions from the Society of Chartered Surveyors.
Waterford IT offers a four-year honours degree in applied chemistry and applied biology and has launched a degree in physics with computing.
IT Sligo has a five-year programme, leading to a Level 8 BEng in civil engineering. The IEI recognises this degree for membership. It also offers an ab initio Level 8 BEng in civil engineering, starting in September 2006. A Level 7 BA in Interior Architecture with an add-on Level 8 BA are also available.
IT Blanchardstown offers an honours degree in mechatronics (BN105). It also offers an ordinary degree in mechatronics (BN009), with the option of an add-on honours degree.
CIT offers Level 7 BEng in civil engineering (three years) and Level 8 BEng in structural engineering (four years). Both courses are accredited by the IEI. It also offers level 7 and 8 courses in construction, construction economics and construction management.
Mary Immaculate College (LM047), offers a four-year liberal arts degree with the options of psychology, and media and communications.
The BSc education in physical sciences programme in UCC (CK116) is now available via three entry routes: CK402 biological & chemical sciences, CK406 chemical sciences and CK406 physics & astrophysics. The programme offers students the option of training to be a secondary school teacher of chemistry or physics. The fourth year is effectively the Postgraduate Diploma in Education course.
The Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge from NUI Maynooth is accepted in lieu of the Grade C in Leaving Cert higher level Irish for graduate entry into primary teaching.
Brian Mooney is president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. E-mail questions to bmooney@irish- times.ie
