Alumni Highlight Career Routes with Applied Science at SERC

SERC alumni are putting the spotlight on studying applied science at SERC by sharing their study routes to careers in science in advance of an information session at Downpatrick Campus on 10am-3pm Room C-16 on Tuesday 31 August.  

Karen Orme, Deputy Head of School of Applied Science and Sport said, “Our Advanced Tech – Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science is a new and exciting two-year vocational course, equivalent to 3 A levels, for post 16 students who want to combine vocational and project-based learning activities in applied science."      

She added, “As well as mandatory units, the choice of optional units is designed to ignite individual interests, for example, Physiology of Human Body Systems, Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways, Genetics and Genetic Engineering and Industrial and Chemical Reactions plus students have the opportunity to engage in industrial projects, competitions and gain valuable placement experience. On successful competition students will progress to higher education or employment opportunities in the science sector, just as our past students have progressed.”  
Past student, Matthew Coan, followed the Level 2 and Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science at SERC before progressing to the HND Diploma in Applied Biology.   He said, “I choose to go to SERC after I failed miserably at my A levels. I knew that I was passionate about science and SERC supported me to get back on track."

“I learned a wide variety of scientific modules that helped me focus on the path of science that suited me. Alongside this, the practical skills you learn at the College are amazing and will stay with you all your life. The staff are specialist in their own subjects, and their enthusiasm really rubs off on you. The applied science courses have helped me to get my position."

Matthew concluded, “From the HND, I progressed to second year of the BSc Microbiology at QUB and I’m currently a science technician at Glenlola Collegiate where I was invited to become a committee member of the Association of Science Education (ASE). We work to promote science education and develop training events for teachers and technicians. In this role I have been invited by CCEA to give presentations at different events around NI as well as writing a scheme of work for their Life and Health science microbiology module.”

Fellow past student, Chloe McKee, also did Applied Science at SERC before progressing to BSc in Biology at Ulster University.  Chloe, who is a now a Lab Manager with Randox Laboratories Ltd said, “My time at SERC helped me to develop key scientific skills and competencies that still help me in my job today. The placement aspect helped me to gain confidence in the industry to get me ready for the world work.”

If you are Interested in developing your science skills and knowledge, further come along to our information session, at Downpatrick Campus on 10am-3pm Room C-16 on Tuesday 31 August, and talk to our expert lecturers about pathways the applied science route at College can offer you.