Q: I hope to apply for a place in a degree course in 1998 in chemical engineering in Cork RTC and also in engineering in UCD. Which is the more difficult to get into? Which is the better choice for me? What are the job prospects?
- Cork student
A: Since you live in Cork you should look at Cork RTC very carefully - obviously you would have much more expense living in Dublin even if you do qualify for a maintenance grant. To gain entry to the Cork RTC course you must have a higher C in maths whereas UCD requires a higher B. Cork RTC does not require a science subject but UCD requires a pass in one of the laboratory science subjects, as well as a third language.
In 1996 the final points were virtually the same: 465 for Cork RTC and 465 (with random selection) for UCD. In 1997, the points in Round Three for Cork RTC were 460 and 465 for UCD so there has been very little change.
You should also consider the fact that you enter the Cork course specifically for chemical and process engineering whereas in UCD you will have to compete at the end of first year for one of the 36 places in chemical engineering which includes biochemical engineering and biotechnology. Places are allocated on the basis of stated preferences and of ranking in first year exams, which follow on a series of special lectures and tutorials aimed at assisting students to make an informed choice. You may also choose one of four languages - French, German, Spanish or Japanese.
There is a healthy employment uptake of about 80 per cent for new graduates in chemical engineering though many choose to go abroad to get initial experience. Typically the pharmaceutical industry is the largest employer in Ireland, followed by the electronics industry, followed by the much smaller heavy chemicals sector such as Aughinish Alumina (Limerick) and Irish Refining at Whitegate, Cobh, Co Cork.
Chemical engineers are also getting involved in the growing food technology sector, both in the design and maintenance of food plants. Another developing area is process validation and equipment design to meet quality, hygiene and safety standards, as is also the environmental protection field which has increasing possibilities.
Look at other courses such as the UL degree in industrial engineering, which bridges the gap between pure chemistry and chemical engineering and also the chemical engineering degree in Queen's University, Belfast, for which you should apply through UCAS before December 15th.
Q: What exactly are concurrent teacher training courses and how do they differ from taking a degree in a university and teaching at second level? What are the job prospects for these?
- Clare parent
A: Concurrent teacher training programmes combine the educational qualification which you must have to teach at second level with the actual study of the subject(s) which you will eventually teach. Most of these concurrent programmes are in the area of practical subjects such as home economics, physical education, technology etc.
To teach subjects such as English or any other language, maths, commerce, science, history, geography etc. at second level, you would take a degree (BA, BComm, BSc) in college for three or four years and then apply to do a higher diploma in education or some other graduate diploma in education.
These are some of the concurrent teacher training courses: St Angela's, Sligo, and St Catherine's, Sion Hill, for home economics; Mater Dei Institute of Education for religious education and a selection of arts subjects; NCAD for art and design; TCD for music education and UL for physical education or technology (materials and construction technology and also materials and engineering technology).
Job prospects are better for these subjects at second level than they are for other subjects because the intake onto these courses is small in the first place. Second, more practical subjects such as technology are being introduced into the secondlevel curriculum. However, you may have to spend a few years as a temporary teacher before getting a permanent job even in these subject areas.
Q: My family has lived abroad for the past five years but I returned to live with my grandparents and attend secondary school here in September 1996. I now find that, if I want to go to university here after doing my Leaving Cert next June, I would have to pay full economic fees. My parents and I are EU nationals. Is there any way I can qualify for free fees?
- Wicklow student
A: To qualify as an EU applicant (which qualifies you for free fees) you need to (a) be permanently resident in one of the member States of the EU and/or (b) have received full-time second-level education for three of the five years immediately before the date of proposed admission to college in any member state of the EU or in a combination of member states.
This categorisation is for the purposes of administration only but most third-level institutions, while not bound by this, would generally use it for the purposes of determining the level of tuition fees. By September 1998, you will only have spent two years here. If you are offered the place of your choice in university here next August you have two options.
First of all you need to explain to the college that you are unable to take up your place because of the financial implications and ask to have your place deferred until 1999. Then you may either spend another year here repeating your Leaving Cert in 1999 in a second-level school.
However, if you then wanted to put forward this 1999 Leaving Cert and submit a new CAO application, you would immediately forfeit your deferred 1998 place in the college that accepted you and you would be taking a chance on getting that same place on the CAO system one year later when points may have gone up or your Leaving Cert grades may have gone down in the repeat exam. Apart from that, it seems crazy to spend a year repeating when you have got your course choice.
The second option would be much more beneficial to you academically and personally. You should apply for a PLC course in a subject area in which you are interested next spring and having completed that in June 1999, take up your deferred place in Autumn 1999 in your chosen university. PLC courses are considered to be second-level education and you would therefore qualify for the extra year, enabling you to qualify for free fees.
Questions can be answered only through this column and not by phone or post. Write to Sile Sheehy, Education & Living, The Irish Times, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2 - or by e-mail to education@irish-times.ie
