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Medical lab sciences
3 institutes of technology-DIT, Cork IT and Galway/Mayo IT offer the primary qualifications. This 3 year Cert., which includes 1 year's internship in a training hospital, is no longer a stand alone qualification. Graduates must complete a further 2 years of study for a degree in biomedical sciences-if they wish to work in hospital labs.
The 2 year degree is offered by DIT Kevin Street and Cork IT, but graduates of Galway/Mayo IT are not disadvantaged when it comes to getting a place on the course. Ulster University also offers a degree course.
So second-level students interested in medical lab science should think in terms of 5 years study. There are about 20 first-year places in each of the colleges and cut-off points ranged from 425 to 455. DIT Kevin Street call for a C in higher-level chemistry.
The jobs scene is reasonably good for lab technicians. Although most biomedical science graduates will end up working in a hospitals diagnostic lab, there are opportunities elsewhere.
Physiotherapy
THIS year, the Royal College of Surgeons joins TCD and UCD in an undergraduate physiotherapy degree. But there are only 5 places open to Irish students in the RCSI and tuition fees must be paid.
The cut-off points were 525 in UCD and 530 in TCD last year. If you manage to secure a place, when you qualify you are virtually guaranteed a job. There has never been an un-employed physiotherapist, although it can be hard to find permanent work.
New graduates commonly begin their career ig general hospitals, gaining experience.
Radiography
THERE are 2 radiography courses to choose form in Ireland-diagnostic radiography in UCD and therapeutic radiography in TCD.
UCD has 20 places on offer this September while TCD has 10. The University of Ulster also offers a 4 year radiography degree- the 2 are included. All 3 courses include clinical placement.
Therapeutic radiography is 1 of the main routines to treat cancer. Diagnostic radiography uses imaging techniques to diagnose.
Optometry
DIT offers the only course in Ireland allowing students to qualify as optometrists. The cut off points for this 4 year degree was 520. The course includes a 6-month work placement in 4th year. The University of Ulster offers a 3-year degree.
Dietics and human nutrition
Another very popular degree, dietics and human nutrition is offered jointly by DIT and TCD. The degree is recognised by the American Dietic Association and in Britain. There are 25 first year places.
In their final year, students spend 12 weeks working on a research project and 26 weeks on placement.
Pharmacy
TCD, the only college in Ireland to offer this course, has 70 first year places. The cut-off points last year were 550.
The job scene for pharmacists is extremely good. After 4 years at TCD, graduates must spend a pre-registration year working before they are qualified as professional pharmacists.
Clinical speech and language
Another TCD offering, there are 26 first-year places to fill.
This four-year degree is recognised in Ireland and Britain. There is a shortage of speech and language therapists in both states so graduates do not usually have difficulty finding work.
Last year, cut-off points were 500. In addition to having enough points, prospective students are interviewed by TCD in the autumn. Last year, TCD invited applicants with 485 points or more to interview. The purpose of the interview is to ascertain that candidates do not have any speech or voice impediments, which would render them unsuitable for the course.
The University of Ulster offers a four-year degree in speech and language therapy.
Occupational therapy
THERE are 30 first-year places on TCD's occupational therapy degree. Again, it is the only degree in the Republic. UU has a 4 year degree,
The cut-off points for TCD's course last year were 495. Occupational therapists find work hospitals, schools, day hospitals, community health services and people's homes. Career prospects are excellent.
Applied physiology and health science
CARLOW IT offers an innovative two-year national certificate in applied physiology and health science (1998 points: 415). The main attraction is that graduates who do well enough in their exams can transfer to a variety of therapy programmes, mainly in the UK.
Course tutor Mr Tom D'arcy says typically 8 to 10 students get places on physiotherapy courses each year. These are students who have about 460 points in Leaving Cert points and a distinction in their certificate. They do not get any exemptions.
Other certificate graduates get places on courses such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, rehabilitation therapy, radiography, nutrition and dietetics. Almost all of last years graduates are continuing their studies on
therapy degrees in Britain and Northern Ireland.
Mr D'Arcy says the college hopes to introduce a two-year add-on degree this September. There will be 16 places on this degree in physiology and rehabilitation.
There are usually 48 first-year places on the certificate course but numbers could rise to 64 this year, says Mr D'Arcy.
