COLLEGE CHOICE: We will soon find out if students are still voting with their feet when it comes to science. The Department of Education will shortly release figures showing the number of candidates taking physics, chemistry and biology for the Leaving Cert.
There are signs that the despondency of recent years is lifting, with the Young Scientist competition in particular raising the profile of science subjects among second level pupils. But as long as the perception exists (and it is a perception) that getting high grades in science subjects is next to impossible, the area will continue to suffer.
This is not of purely academic interest to students. It has a direct bearing on points at third level. Science courses have been in freefall for the last few years in terms of points.
UCD's science course (DN008) was down a staggering 45 points last year to 300, while DCU's course (DC201) was down 40 points to 315. This trend was replicated throughout the system. It is hard to believe that as recently as two years ago UCD's course was heading toward 400 points.
In the institute of technology (IT) sector the story is similar. Of the 35 science diploma and certificate courses last year, a significant number were simply marked AQA (all qualified applicants), while several others required just over 100 points.
While such figures must concern colleges, it means you have a greater chance of getting a science place than your predecessors.
For example, a few years ago UCD's science degree (DN008) required more points than arts (DN012), but this has been reversed. Arts was 370 (with random selection) last year, compared to 300 for science.
So amid the despondency at least those of you committed to science can get a place without having to present absurd levels of points. Look upon other people's difficulties as your opportunity.
The reason behind all this is simple: less applications for science places.
While the number of students putting a science course down as their first preference has only fallen slightly, the number of total applications has fallen sharply. Also, extra places have been created at third level and this has added to demand at a time when supply appears to be shrinking.
But all these developments have no bearing on science as an occupation or the quality of the courses involved.
Mr John McGinnity, admissions officer at NUI Maynooth, has simple advice for students interested in the area: "Students who are taking a science subject at school, or better still if they are taking two, and if they are enjoying it, they should consider science as a career".
However, students get diverted by other factors. "Unfortunately, applicants sometimes regard a course which has lower points - as science has had in recent years - as in some way a degree of lesser value. Whereas in reality it will be every bit as good a degree as those in other disciplines. One of the unfortunate side effects of the CAO process is that students regard points as being equal to 'value' rather than looking at the area on its own merits."
Job Prospects
THE other piece of good news is that recent figures from the Higher Education Authority show over 80 per cent of science students are in full-time employment after finishing a post-graduate science degree.
When research was done on those who only completed their primary degree the figures were not as healthy, with 41 per cent gaining full employment and almost 30 per cent going into further study. This was far higher than the 20 per cent average for all third-level faculties.
So it appears a postgraduate qualification is needed to gain the job you want. But, be warned, some postgraduates in less appealing areas find it difficult to get employment.
HEA figures show that even after taking a higher degree, 4.3 per cent were still "seeking employment". It depends on the area; computer science, biochemistry and pharmacology are areas where job opportunities are relatively good, whereas you may have to look at little harder if you are doing genetics or botany.
While Ireland is home to a large number of pharmaceutical companies, not all are involved in drug development, the most highly paid area. The workforce in some of these firms consists mainly of operatives and technicians and pay can be low.
The best-paid jobs in pharmaceuticals are in developing drugs through the trial stage and eventually on to the shelves. Food science is also a strong area in Ireland and microbiologists are highly valued. While biochemistry and biotechnology are regarded as rewarding areas, the Republic lags behind other economies in some of these, so you may have to go abroad for the best opportunities.
One of the biggest projects taking place in the State at present is worth mentioning. The company Biopharma is creating 1,300 jobs for scientists in Grange Castle, Co Kildare. It will be one of the largest biotechnology plants in the world and a lot of graduates will find work there.
Courses
THERE is a breathtaking variety in science, from earth sciences to pure chemistry to astrophysics to zoology.
One way to decide which one you want is to ask what you are good at; chemistry, physics or biology? While this is a crude approach, sooner or later you will have to make this choice. Even if you take a general science degree you will have to specialise at some time.
The degree courses tend to be more advanced in terms of the science you are required to study, and again you have to ask yourself "What am I good at and what am I interested in?" Often you have to go one step further. For example, if you like physics, what parts of the discipline are you interested in? The answer could decide whether you do theoretical physics at Trinity (TR035) or astrophysics/physics (MH204) at NUI Maynooth.
Another thing to remember is that many science courses now strongly reflect contemporary issues and trends. For example, UCC offers a BSc in earth sciences (CK404) where students learn about environmental problems and scientific ways to tackle them.
The University of Limerick's (UL) science courses particularly reflect science and its application to the real world. On its industrial biochemistry course (LM064), for example, you can specialise in DNA technology and molecular cell biology, both of which are in the news at present because of great scientific advances. It also offers applied physics, industrial chemistry and environmental science course, in its science faculty.
Some courses are even more practical, such as the diploma in nautical science (CR094) at Cork IT where you can learn about a seafarer's life and study weather charts, navigation systems and shipbuilding and even train on board a ship.
There is also UL's four year equine science course (LM093) where you learn everything there is to know about horses, as well as how to make some money in the industry.
What if you like science, but other disciplines too? Well even that combination is available this year. NUI Maynooth have a new biological sciences (MH208) degree, a four year programme, within which students can combine the study of science with another science or arts subject such as geography or economics.
There are now 170 biotech firms in the Republic so biotechnology is an area worth considering. Two good courses are at NUI Galway (GY304) and DCU's bio course (DC181).
If you want a full list of bio courses, try the comprehensive Bioresearch Ireland website at www.biores-irl.ie.
Most courses at IT level tend to be applied physics or applied chemistry. It is up to you to decide what you want to specialise in.
The reason you need to self-question is that there are high drop-out rates from many of the IT science courses. So make sure you are able for the material and can handle the pace.
Subject Requirements
THE final consideration is what subjects you need for the course of your choice.
Degree courses have more onerous subject requirements. For example, Trinity requires at least a C3 in two higher level science papers (although one of these can be geography).
UCD's science courses has no requirements in science, but the college does insist on at least a B3 in ordinary-level maths. The physics/astronomy course (GY312) at NUI Galway requires a C3 or more in higher-level maths or an A in lower-level maths.
One of the problems with science subject requirements is that about a third (231) of second-level schools do not offer chemistry, and about 187 do not offer physics. So courses like DIT's degree in human nutrition (FT223) - which requires a C3 or more in higher-level chemistry - are unavailable to many students who have never done chemistry.