DCU has introduced a common entry for its various electronic engineering programmes (CAO code: DC200).

The move comes in response to concerns that secondary level students may not be able to choose areas of specialism before they commence their universities studies. Within Electronic Engineering are three areas of specialism: electronic engineering, telecommunications engineering and a new programme in digital media engineering.

Up to now students have had to rank each course separately on their CAO forms. This can cause two problems. In some cases students discover during their first year that they have selected the wrong course and have to try to transfer to another course. In other cases, students may be reluctant to list three courses within one school on their CAO form.

According to Professor Charles McCorkell, School of Electronic Engineering, "Rather than forcing 17 year-old students down narrow channels which may affect their ultimate careers, the new system gives them time to get to know and understand the options available within the general discipline of electronic engineering".

By enrolling on this Common Entry programme, students can delay making their final decision to specialise in any given area by spending one year getting to know all the different disciplines. As a result, at the end of the first students will be in a much better position to make an informed choice of which area to pursue to degree level.

Second year places are allocated on the basis of exam results and student preference.

This is a pilot project, and if it is successful, DCU may decide to offer it as an option in the other highly-specialised areas of science.

ENDS

For further details:

Eilis O'Brien: 700 5217 or 087 2057125
Eileen Colgan: 700 5656
Prof Charles McCorkell: 700 5133