Design & Communication Graphics - Higher
If you like problem-solving and being creative using graphics this is the subject for you.
Most students who take this course will have done Technical Graphics at Junior cert, but MTW and Technology are also useful Junior cert subjects for DCG. You will get lots of practice doing freehand sketching, traditional draughting (technical drawing) and using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programs such as SolidWorks.
Higher Level Course Content:
- Assemblies
- Axo/Di/Tri-metric Projection
- Conic Sections
- Developments & Envelopments
- Dynamic Mechanisms
- Geological Geometry
- Interpenetration
- Intersecting Planes (Laminar Planes)
- Orthographic & Auxiliary Projection+
- Perspective
- Skew Lines
- Solids in Contact
- Structural Forms
- Surface Geometry
- Tetrahedron
- The Oblique Plane
Ordinary Level Course Content:
- Assemblies
- Axonometric Projection
- Conic Sections
- Dynamic Mechanisms
- Geological Geometry
- Interpenetration
- Orthographic & Auxillary Projection
- Perspective
- Rotation & Inclination of Solids
- Solids in Contact
- Structural Forms (Developments)
- Surface Geometry
- The Oblique Plane
How is DCG assessed?
DCG is assessed through a student project (40%) and a three-hour exam paper (60%) for both Higher and Ordinary levels.
Section A: You must do 3 of the 4 short questions taken from the following areas:
- Projection Systems
- Plane Geometry
- Conic Sections
- Intersection and Development of Surfaces
Section B: You must do 2 of the 3 long questions taken from the following areas:
- Descriptive Geometry of Lines and Plane
- Projection Systems
- Plane Geometry
- Conic Sections
- Intersection and Development of Surfaces
- Descriptive Geometry of Lines and Plane
Section C: Answer 2 of the 5 long questions which will be based on material from the following areas:
- Dynamic Mechanisms
- Structural Forms
- Surface Geometry
- Geologic Geometry
- Assemblies
Project
You will have to submit a project toward the end of 6th year which will be on a given theme which is outlined in a brief normally released in September. This project will assess areas such as freehand sketching, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and design capabilities. Students must use the software SolidWorks to produce CAD models and drawings. Students are required to present a hard copy of their assignment along with a CD or USB Flash Drive containing an electronic format of their portfolio and SolidWorks files.
Future Careers with Leaving Certificate DCG
Design, Architecture, Engineering, Product Design
Download the leaving cert DCG Syllabus
Download the leaving cert Design & Communication Graphics Chief examiner's report (2015)
