Q&A

Q: We don't do chemistry in school so I'm wondering what courses will I be excluded from? I'm in fifth year now and need to know because I like science and am thinking of continuing into third level for a degree in the science area. I have biology.

- Co Limerick student

With one science you are eligible for many science courses in universities such as UCC, UCD, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, DCU and UL. TCD requires two sciences for the omnibus entry TR071 science, but geography can be counted as a science here if you're doing that.

DIT's applied science degree requires only one science subject but the degree in human nutrition (FT223) does require a higher-level C in chemistry, so you are excluded from that. Luckily for you, IT degrees in science don't require chemistry - besides, you could always use the ladder system by taking a national cert, then a national diploma and finally a degree.

Other related courses for which you will not be eligible include: the med lab science diploma in DIT (DIT214) which requires a higher-level C in chemistry, while a pass in biology will qualify you for Cork IT's med lab science (CR085), UCD's veterinary medicine (DN005) which introduced higher-level C in chemistry as a requirement in 1999 and pharmacy in TCD which will require chemistry from 2000 onwards.

So, don't let the fact of not having chemistry put you off. There are lots of options open to you.

It's estimated that over 300 second-level schools do not have chemistry in their subject choice due, no doubt, to the many who do not have a lab.

Another side of the problem is the decline in the number of students taking chemistry; the perception that it's harder to score well in a subject such as chemistry and the fact that some students don't take science up to Junior Cert which virtually excludes them from chemistry at Leaving Cert.

Q: What is the exam appeals procedure for colleges such as UCD? Since there is now a satisfactory system for appeals and viewing Leaving Cert papers, I wonder if there is any system in place for UCD?

- UCD student

All the information you require is in the Student Information Handbook 1998/99. In the first instance, if you just wish to discuss your results within 10 days of their publication, you should check with your faculty for the specific dates that have been set aside for this.

If you wish to proceed further, you may ask the exams appeals officer to arrange a re-check within three weeks from publication of results on the college notice board. In exceptional circumstances, the president may extend this period.

This formal check is to ensure that all parts of the exam have been marked and that there are no errors in the recording, collating or combining marks. The outcome of this check is then sent in writing to the exams appeals officer and, if a charge is recommended, the supervisor of exams will make the necessary changes and tell the student without delay. There is a fee involved for this check.

Grounds for appeal are: evidence of substantive irregularity in the conduct of the exam, if the student is not satisfied that the checking of the results was properly carried out; circumstances which the exams board was not aware of when its decision was taken.

A student with a medical condition or other personal situation which may affect exam performance should write to the examiners and supervisor as soon as possible and, if required, provide evidence. If a student wishes to appeal (there is also a fee), he or she must write to the exams appeals officer within three months of the result going up on the college notice board. The appeal is then notified to the exams appeals committee and the relevant head of department.

Pending the outcome, students are advised as follows: an appeal may not necessarily be successful, so they should avail of any opportunity to re-present for an exam on the understanding that a re-sit does not prejudice their appeal in any way; the conferring of a degree may be deferred pending the final outcome of the appeal.

The exams appeals committee considers the appeal and consults with the internal and external examiners. It gives its decision and the student is notified by the chairperson.

Q: I'd like to know how parents can find out how good the local community school is academically. We know from published figures how many students on a national level get each grade in Leaving Cert. However, it's not possible to get this information for the local schools. We hear every year that Leaving Cert results were "great" but, as parents, we cannot prove or disprove this. Any comment?

- Cavan parents

Most of this kind of information circulates locally by bush telegraph but can sometimes be inflated. The only source with the full picture is the principal and Department of Education and Science.

How about asking the principal? There's nothing wrong with asking and, if you are in the process of making a decision on which school is best for your child, it's a perfectly logical and legitimate question.

You are probably afraid that you will be told to mind your own business - but surely it is your business.

Do keep in mind the varying factors that impinge on results: ability level of students doing the Leaving Cert; their application to study and self-motivation and encouragement from home and school; the teaching ability and commitment of the staff; the variation in grades awarded in different subjects in the Leaving Cert; and many more factors.

You are probably aware from hearing results over the years how local children have been doing and what their general level of ability might be.

I'd ask the principal for at least the spread of grades in the subjects you are interested in. You can be sure, if students have got good grades over the past number of years, that at least the full course is being taught properly.

Add this to your local knowledge and you will have a fair picture of the situation.

Queries 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 email to education@irish-times.ie