- Details
Course Outline
D.C.G. is a follow on from the Junior Cert. Technical Graphics course. The course is divided into a group of Core topics and a group of Applied Graphics.
The Core topics allow students attempt and solve problems using basic skills and principles. Some Core topics are a direct follow on from topics covered in Junior Cycle and some are new topics completely. The topics covered are:
Projection Systems (Orthographic, Auxiliary, Tri/Dimetric, Perspective)
Conic Sections (Ellipses, Parabolas, Hyperbolas)
Geometry of Lines and Planes (Oblique Plane)
Intersection and Development of Surfaces (Intersecting Solids, Developments)
The Core also involves Communication of Design and Computer Graphics. This basically means that students will be developing how they get design ideas across to people. This will be done through the medium of sketching, word processing and Computer Aided Design. Students will have access to Solidworks CAD package to allow them to graphically represent objects on sreen by drawing them in 3D format. The package allows drawings to be printed from it and photorealistic images to be created. The Solidworks package is used worldwide in industries for designing purposes so the access the students have to it would be a massive stepping stone to future job prospects.
The Applied Graphics is the other part of the course. In this area the students will have to choose only two areas from five that they with to cover. Applied Graphics topics have a very practical nature. The topics to choose from are:
Structural Forms
Geological Geometry
Dynamic Mechanisms
Assemblies
Surface Geometry
Project Work
There is a project to be completed usually from September to January of Leaving Cert year that is worth 40% of the marks for the whole course.
The projects is a 12 - 14 page A3 portfolio on a given brief and following a certain layout. The portfolio incorporates research via the internet, sketching, word processing, CAD models and drawings produced and printed from the computer.
Assessment
As explained above, 40% of the overall mark is awarded for the competed project which normally has a strict deadline of late January or early February depending on the year.
The remaining 60% is for the 3 hour drawing exam that the students sit in June. This exam is broken into 3 sections.
Section A - Do 3 short questions out of 4 from topics on the Core
Section B - Do 2 long questions out of 3 from topics on the Core
Section C - Do 2 questions out of 5 from the Applied Graphics topics
D.C.G. is examined at both Higher and Ordinary levels.
- Details
Course Outline
Year 1;
Students introduced to detail drawings for a house from foundation level up to roof level. Some of these details include
Foundations , floors – solid ground and suspended timber
Threshold (door) details, window cill/head, eaves, pitched roof/flat roof
Year 2:
Any remaining drawing details finished. Also students study U Values, sound, light, plumbing, drainage
Project Work
Year 1:
Students are introduced to bench test examples. Students who have not studied woodwork before are introduced to basic procedures and make traditional woodwork joints before attempting a bench test.
Year 2:
Further bench tests before beginning final year project in November. Students design and make a project which can be either from the heritage, woodcraft or building detail part of the syllabus. This project must be completed before Easter holidays.
Assessment
In May of year 2 students sit a 4 hour bench test which accounts for 25% of the overall Leaving Cert mark. It must be made without the use of any machinery and is supervised by an external supervisor.
Students also present a project and accompanying folder. This accounts for 25% of leaving certificate grade.
The written exam consists of 1 paper for each level. Students must answer question 1 and 4 others. This accounts for the remaining 50%.
- Details
The Career Guidance Counsellor in the school is Ms. Hardiman. She aims to meet all students from First Year to Leaving Certificate, either individually or in class, each school year. The Guidance Counsellor adopts an "open door" policy in relation to meeting with students, teachers, parents/guardians and management. Priority will always be given to students in crisis.
Fifth Year: Students have one Career Guidance class each week. They can make appointments with the Guidance Counsellor when necessary. Fifth Years complete DATs (Differential Aptitude Test) during the school year. Students are encouraged to attend "Past-Present-Future" to help with subject choice. It is held in the school in September every year.
Leaving Certificate: Students have one Career Guidance class each week. All students have individual meetings with the Guidance Counsellor, once in the first term of school and throughout the year as the need arises. Leaving Certificate students and their parents are encouraged to attend the many career related events held in the school. Leaving Certificate students are taken to "Option's West Careers Exhibition" held each year in Galway.