• Question: Can u drop science after 3rd year

    Asked by twixwhite7 to Sarah, Ellen, Criodán, Charlene on 23 Oct 2020.
    • Photo: Charlene Rodriguez

      Charlene Rodriguez answered on 23 Oct 2020:

      Thank you for your question

      After 3rd year of secondary school, you will have the option of choosing new subjects for the leaving cert
      You will be able to study different science subjects . These include:

      Agricultural Science
      Applied Maths
      Biology
      Chemistry
      Mathematics
      Physics
      Physics and Chemistry
      Computer Science

      You will need to study Maths after 3rd year, this can be taken at Higher/Ordinary/Foundation level. You can choose as many or as few science subjects depending on what career you want to take in the future

    • Photo: Sarah Carroll (CE IAS chat moderator)

      Sarah Carroll (CE IAS chat moderator) answered on 23 Oct 2020:

      Hi! Do you mean third year in secondary school? As far as I know – yes. You do not have to do a science subject for the Leaving Certificate. Some schools might strongly encourage that you do at least one, for example : biology, chemistry, physics, geography, agricultural science etc.

      Even though you do not have to, I think it is a good idea to do at least one. Studying science at secondary school is not just about preparing you for a college course or a job but also about helping you to figure out how to learn more about YOUR world – which I think can only be a good thing!

    • Photo: Ellen Twomey

      Ellen Twomey answered on 16 Dec 2020:

      To answer simply – yes, if you speak to your teachers you can drop all three science subjects.
      However, it is advised to keep at least one on, (biology, chemistry or physics). After third year, you still have three more years of school. That is three years of learning what you like, learning about what different jobs there are out there and being taught by different teachers. If you completely rule out science from you studies and CV, then you will be cutting down the number of options you have after the leaving cert considerably. Many courses won’t take you if you don’t have at least chemistry or biology done, even if the course doesn’t study them. I would recommend talking to your teachers and guidance counselor to figure out what you might need, and which you might be best able to manage keeping on if you are struggling.

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