Access to Science and Engineering
Certificate in Foundation Level Studies
A former Access Student - Harry Austin speaks about his experience on the Access to Science & Engineering Programme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV8_fQLyMh0&feature=relmfu
Autumn and Spring EX430
UCD Belfield
Co-ordinator: Matthew Harmey
Tutors: Anthony Cronin, Matthew Harmey, Shea Mullally, Tony Scott, Max Klimmek
This course is designed to prepare adults,who may not have the formal qualifications, for successful study at university, particularly in the areas of Science, Engineering, Agriculture and Health & Safety *
Access from this course to further study at UCD is only guaranteed to students who are eligible to apply on grounds of mature years and who follow appropriate application procedures via the CAO.
Progression
Successful students will be admitted to undergraduate programmes in Agriculture, Engineering/Engineering Science/Structural Engineering with Architecture, Health and Safety at Work, or Science.
There is no guarantee of access from Access to Science & Engineering to degree programmes in Medicine, BSc in Veterinary Nursing, Radiography, Physiotherapy or BSc Human Nutrition. Applicants to these programmes will be viewed on a case-by-case basis for the forthcoming academic year.
* Applicants to Health & Safety must have ongoing significant involvement with occupational safety in their workplace.
Access to Science and Engineering aims to:
- Support students in finding the third level course that best suits his/her aptitude and interest
- Give students the confidence and skills necessary to plan and organise study for their particular needs
- Provide students with analytical skills in order to fully understand the material presented in all subject modules
- Equip students with the skills and confidence to take on a certificate/degree or diploma course in Health and Safety at Work; Agricultural Science; Engineering/Architecture; Science; Medicine.
Course Structure
Classes are on Monday and Wednesday evenings and on Saturday mornings.
Evening classes are from 6.30 - 9.30pm and the Saturday morning classes are from 10.00am - 1.00pm.
11 Weeks in the first semester and 10 weeks in the second semester
Academic Subjects
Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Maths for Engineering
Study Skills & Tutorials
Classes each week over two semesters
Computing - integrated thoughout the academic year
Student Support
Both formal and informal throughout the year
Course Assessment
- Science subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) - essays, laboratory reports, assignments and an exam in each
- Mathematics - assignments and an exam
- Mathematics for Engineering - assignments and an exam
- Study Skills/Writing Skills - learning journal in each term
80% minimum attendance is required
Course Duration: 2 Semesters |
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Course Days: Monday, Wednesday & Saturday |
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Autumn |
Spring | |
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Term Dates |
17 Sep- 8 Dec |
14 Jan - 10 Apr |
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Term Breaks |
29 Oct - 2 Nov |
11 Feb - 15 Feb & 18 Mar |
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Provisional Examination Dates* |
17 & 19 Dec |
22 & 24 April |
*Exams are an essential element of course assessment so you must be available on this date. Only medically certified absence will be facilitated where possible.
Entry requirements
There are no formal educational entry requirements. Applicants may apply using prior educational qualifications or life experience. Adult learners are invited to submit their life experience and individual strengths as evidence of their suitability. All applicants must be over the age of 22 on 1st January 2012.
All candidates are required to complete an application form. Access to Science & Engineering applicants will be invited to attend a lecture on August 29, 2012, after which they are invited to submit a written summary. Applicants are not expected to show a depth of scientific knowledge in this piece, but written fluency and a clear understanding of the lecture is expected.
Judge your maths level by taking sample tests:
The UCD Maths Support Centre has some links to excellent maths videos, some of which are relevant these tests, and will help you prepare for the maths modules on the Access to Science & Engineering course.
See www.ucd.ie/msc Look at the index menu on the left hand side of the Maths Support Centre front page and click on:
"On line Tutorials 1 and Self Assessment tests."
This opens up a page with tests and videos. The videos most appropriate for the Access tests are;
1. Rules of arithmetic.
2. Substitution.
3. Straight Line.
4. Solving quadratic equations.
Enjoy!
Course Fee: €1800
Students who are registered as unemployed and/or in-receipt of one of the following payments: Job-seekers Benefit, Job-seekers Allowance or One-Parent Family Allowance may qualify for UCD Adult Education Access Programme 2012 – 13 Fees Scholarship Programme. It will be necessary to produce evidence of income. Thomond Coogan will be happy to discuss this with you. (Tel. 7167584 or e-mail Thomond.Coogan@ucd.ie)
Further information
For further advice and guidance about this course, please contact: Thomond Coogan, Tel (01) 716 7584,
email: Thomond.Coogan@ucd.ie
