Science has received more bad press in recent years than any other area of the education system.
Headlines about science usually contain the words "crisis" or "decline", and accompanying reports are normally about another disastrous drop in the number of students taking chemistry, physics or biology.
While the word "crisis" can be overused, there is no doubt there are serious problems in stimulating interest in science among second-level and third-level students.
Even the admirable endeavours of those in the Young Scientist competition cannot disguise the lack of interest among students generally.
Declining Numbers
Today only 10 per cent of Leaving Cert students take chemistry, and only 13 per cent physics.
The numbers doing higher-level chemistry have dropped from 6,738 in 1995 to 5,531 last year, while the number doing higher-level physics have slipped from 7,695 in 1995 to 5,849 last year. As a general rule when numbers fall like this there is a corresponding drop at third level, which manifests itself in falling points.
This was certainly true last year. Look at some of the larger science courses in the university system: UCD slipped 45 points to 345; Trinity was down 20 to 405; DCU was down 10 to 355; and NUI Galway was down 30 to 330.
In the institute of technology (IT) sector the story was similar. Of the 35 science diploma and certificate courses eight were AQA (stands for all qualified applicants) and many others required just over 100 points.
AQA means the college had difficulties filling the places and accepted students with only the college's minimum requirements.
While these 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 375 last year compared to 345 for science.
So amid the despondency at least those of you committed to science courses can get a place without having to present absurd levels of points. Look upon other people's difficulties as your opportunity.
Job Prospects
The other piece of good news is that recent figures from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) show over 80 per cent of science students are in fulltime employment after finishing a higher degree.
When research was done on those who finished 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. A lot of science postgraduates remain in their universities or colleges as researchers, but the money can be poor considering the years of study they have done.
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".
While Ireland is now 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 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 at present, and microbiologists are highly valued. Biochemistry, genetics and biotechnology are also regarded as rewarding areas, but Ireland lags behind other economies in some of these, so you may have to go abroad for the best opportunities.
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 sometime.
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 is offering a new BSc in earth sciences (CK404) where students learn about environmental problems and scientific ways to tackle them.
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.
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 re quires at least a C3 in two higher-level science papers (although it includes geography under this heading).
UCD's science courses have no requirements in science, but it 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) and certificate in medical laboratory science (DT214) - which require a C3 or more in higher-level chemistry - are unavailable to many students who have never done chemistry.
Law: Tuesday's column focused mainly on law degrees at university level, but there are other options in private colleges.
Some of these have links to British institutions which award their law degrees. One example is Portobello College in Dublin which has links to the University of Wales.
The course requires 300 points, although mature students are interviewed if they fail to reach the points standard, and a decision is then made based on their experience and/or qualifications.
Graduates of this course can study at the King's Inns and the Law Society, although graduates cannot enter the King's Inns main degree course. They have to take the two-year diploma first. Currently, those with a law degree from a university can automatically apply to the degree course.
The course does allow students to become solicitors and barristers in England and Wales. The college gives students additional tuition and sets exams in both English land law and constitutional and administrative law.
This satisfies the professional bodies in England and Wales and allows you to enter the professional practice courses there and eventually to practise there.