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Demand for Physics set to increase as DCU unveils new General Entry Physics for CAO
Demand for Physics set to increase as DCU unveils new General Entry Physics for CAO

Demand for Physics set to increase as DCU unveils new General Entry Physics for CAO

A General Entry Physics (DC175) route into Physics programmes at Dublin City University is now available and replaces all our previous DCU physics CAO entries.

This allows students to gain a comprehensive foundation in Physics in their first year of study before they choose one of three specialist degree programme at the end of Year 1: Applied Physics, Physics with Biomedical Sciences, or Physics with Astronomy.

Year 1 focuses on the foundations of classical and modern physics, with an emphasis on practical and IT skills combined with mathematics and computing. In Years 2, 3 and 4, students will study the modules of their chosen degree programme.

So what does this mean?

There is no change to the overall duration of the three programmes – it’s still four years (Honours degree).

There is no restriction on the number of students joining a programme in Year 2: they can choose to study whichever subject area they prefer, based on personal interest.

Speaking about the new Physics General Entry route, Dr Paul van Kampen said: “From interactions with our students, we find that they like to make that final decision when they are in first year.”

DCU’s School of Physical Sciences prides itself on giving their students much individual attention and exposure to laboratory work. 

Demand for DCU’s Physics General Entry route is expected to be strong this year, as demand for Physics graduates increases thanks to Ireland’s buoyant economy.

“We know a lot of Physics graduates are working in the area of data analytics, particularly for financial corporations,” Dr van Kampen said. 

“Our graduates know how to generate, process and analyse data. Banks and insurance companies collect huge amounts of data – our Physics graduates identify patterns and trends, which is enormously valuable to companies in terms of saving them money and helping them attract new customers.

“In the area of Physics with Biomedical Sciences, many DCU physics graduates now work in hospitals as medical physicists. Indeed, every hospital now has to employ at least one medical physicist. They play a key role in the diagnostic areas of digital imaging or in devising individualised, targeted radiotherapy treatments, for example.

“Working with big data is central to many aspects of modern astronomy. Many DCU physics students undertake further study in this field. A new M.Sc. in Astronomy and Relativity will enrol its first students in September 2020.”

All Physics programmes offer opportunities in Year 3 for either INTRA Work Placement or a project in one of the School research labs. Physics with Astronomy have also the option of a field trip to a European observatory.

For more about the course, please click here: https://www.dcu.ie/courses/Undergraduate/physics/dc175