All your education questions answered by Brian Mooney

I am a sixth-year student enquiring about science in UCD. I cannot find out whether or not there are any restrictions on the choice of modules you can take.

Within the general entry for science at UCD, there is enormous choice. Students choose five or six modules out of 17 in the first semester and five or six out of 21 in the second semester. There are no restrictions on the choices, but students should look at the modules' pathways. For example, if you think you might be interested in pharmacology or genetics you will need to take specific biology modules. There is a guide to these pathways on the UCD website under the DN008 science course. It is always a good idea to attend induction sessions at the start of term.

I am enquiring about the new course in NUI Maynooth called business management (MH404). Do you have an opinion on whether the course is suitable, career-wise, and whether points will be over 400?

Like many business degrees, the business & management course at NUI Maynooth would equip you with the requirements for many graduate programmes run throughout the country by leading insurance, accountancy, banking and IT companies. A graduate programme is where a company requires a good honours degree for entry and then trains you as a graduate and pays you likewise (www.gradireland.com). A broad-based business degree, like that in Maynooth, gives you the opportunity to explore many avenues, whether it be fund administration/management, retail banking, stockbroking, insurance - or simply the first step into management within a company that deals with anything from food or clothes to hard drives or training. The other advantage of a broad business degree is that you might specialise in one area of interest and find yourself working as a human resources manager, a public relations officer, a management consultant or an economist.

Points will probably be in the normal range for honours business degree programmes, typically 375-450. The points will be determined by the demand for places, and how well those applicants do in their exams.

My daughter wants to do psychology in UCD (DN054). Do you have any advice?

If your daughter is interested in the systematic study of mental life, behaviour and relationships, DN054 may be suitable for her. It is the only route into a single-honours degree in psychology from UCD, and is recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland as a foundation for postgraduate professional training.

In first year, students look at fundamental principles of psychology such as development, biology, perception and cognition. In second year, students complete supervised practical work in experimental psychology, survey research and psychological testing. In the final year, students receive formal training in quantitative and qualitative research methodology and must complete a research project, which counts for 20 per cent of the final degree. As with all psychology degrees, statistics and biology form important parts of the course.

After graduation, it usually takes a further two to four years of graduate study to qualify as a practising psychologist. There are also growing opportunities for graduates in business, industry and health services.

If your daughter is interested in psychology, but does not want to take a full degree, she should consider the omnibus arts degree (DN012), where psychology can be taken with another major Arts subject.

A third option, available under the UCD Horizons modular curriculum, is to take an elective module in psychology. Students can choose two of their 12 modules each year from across the university and psychology is the most popular free elective.

Brian Mooney is the former president of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.

E-mail questions to bmooney@irish- times.ie