Low rate of students choose science

LESS than half of students who accepted a science degree place last year had chosen the course as their first preference, according to figures from the Central Applications Office (CAO).

The 47% of net acceptances is the lowest ratio for 15 different subject areas listed in the CAO 2004 annual report. In contrast, more than 83% of places accepted on medicine and veterinary degrees were the applicants’ first choices.

More positively, almost two-thirds of science degree offers made by the CAO last year were accepted, compared to just half those on dentistry, pharmacy, art or agriculture courses.

The disappointing figures for choosing science courses come as the Government continues efforts to attract more young people into science courses which would qualify them for knowledge-based jobs.

Although biology uptake is up more than 2,000 to more than 26,000 this year, the proportion of Leaving Certificate students taking physics or chemistry has remained static in recent years. Next week, 8,221 students (15% of the 55,467 candidates) will sit physics and 7,600 (14%) will take chemistry.

Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) general secretary John White has called for full implementation of the 2002 Task Force on Physical Sciences report. Among the chief demands of teachers is the provision of technical lab assistants, at a cost of €19 million a year.

“Students must have plenty of opportunities to engage in hands-on learning in modern labs. Supporting science teachers in their work is crucial to promoting science among students and increasing the uptake of science subjects,” he said.

A University College Cork website launched this week aims to increase science awareness among students and the public.

“It’s critically important that we attract the brightest of our young people into scientific careers,” said site designer Professor William Reville.

The site (http://understandingscience.ucc.ie/) covers famous Irish scientists, science in the news, and science humour.