Not the end of the maths dream

A disappointing Maths result in the Leaving Certificate need not spell the end of the college dream.

Every year, a significant number of school-leavers with good points don’t get the necessary grade in Maths for their chosen course.

The good news is that there is a second-chance, with a number of colleges running special exams over the next week or so, offering a lifeline to students.

The exams, based on the Leaving Cert syllabus, are mainly geared to those pursuing Level 8, honours engineering degrees, for which Higher Level Grade C3 is usually the minimum requirement. In some cases, college offer preparation courses. Fees may be charged.

Professor Gerry Lyons, Dean of Engineering and Informatics at NUI Galway, says the nature of engineering programmes is that they are focused on the development of analytical and problem solving skills, and thus require significant use of mathematics and applied mathematics.

He says that every year they see a number of promising students who perform poorly on the day of the Leaving Cert exam.
'Our Special Entrance Maths Examination provides these students with a second opportunity to demonstrate that they have reached the necessary standard in Maths.'

A degree in engineering is considered a cornerstone qualification for huge array of careers in the smart economy and NUI Galway has expanded its degree programmes to meet rising demand.

Special Maths exam arrangements include:

NUI Galway

Wednesday August 25 for students who achieve the CAO points for NUIG engineering courses but have not met the obligatory maths requirement, with an intensive, free preparatory course running from tomorrow, Thursday August 19 to Tuesday, 24 August. Those who took Ordinary Level Maths in the Leaving Cert may also apply.

NUI Maynooth

Friday August 27 for students who wish to undertake one of its degrees in engineering. Students still wishing to apply for one of the university's degrees in Engineering should apply using the Available Places/Vacant Places procedure via the CAO, if student has not already mentioned these courses on CAO application earlier in the year.

Dublin Institute of Technology

Monday August 23 in DIT Kevin Street, Dublin 8 for students who have not met the minimum Higher Level C3 Maths requirement for Level 8, honours engineering courses.

Students who have studied the Leaving Certificate Maths curriculum at higher level but did not sit the higher level paper are also invited to sit the exam.

University of Limerick

Thursday, August 26, for entry into all Faculty of Science and Engineering undergraduate programmes.

There will be two versions of the examination paper available depending on the minimum mathematics requirement of the undergraduate programme.

Galway Mayo Institute of Technology

The institute is holding an Enabling Maths Programme for students who did not obtain a pass in Maths. The institute is running special courses of three weeks duration (starting August 23, August 30 and September 6) at its Galway and Castlebar campuses for entry to all its programmes except engineering, nursing and medical science.

Examinations will take place on a continuous assessment basis, with a terminal examination in week three and the overall pass mark is 60pc. The course fee is €150.

Applicants must have completed the Leaving Certificate or Foundation maths programme and have not received a pass grade, or qualify as mature students.

Irish Independent