Undergraduate

UCAS code	BCF0 BA/NS
Duration	Three years for the BA degree Four years for the BA degree and MSci (only available in some subjects)
Colleges	Available at all Colleges
2011 entry	Applications/places: 4 Number admitted: 628
Open days and events 2012	College open days (sciences) Cambridge Open Days - 5 July, 6 July
Related courses	Chemical Engineering Computer Science Education Engineering Geography Human, Social, and Political Sciences Mathematics Medicine Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Veterinary Medicine
Contact details	natsci@admin.cam.ac.uk www.cam.ac.uk/natscitripos/

Overview

About the course

Natural Sciences (NST) is the framework within which most science 'subjects' are taught at Cambridge. If you want to study any of the biological and physical sciences, this is the course for you.

• Explore familiar subjects, experience new ones
• Flexibility and choice
• Biological Sciences Options
• Physical Sciences Options
• Learning and assessment
• Preparatory reading
• Changing course
• After Natural Sciences?

Explore familiar subjects, experience new ones

Natural Sciences (NST) offers a wide range of physical and biological science subjects in a unique and demanding course. A broad first year is followed by increasing specialisation in the second year, and the possibility of total specialisation in the third and, in some disciplines, fourth years.

The breadth of the course reflects the blurring of boundaries between the different sciences - before committing yourself to one department, you study a variety of subjects, some of which may be new to you. This is a huge advantage because it means you can change your mind about which subject to specialise in, and is extremely valuable in alerting you to the important issues in other branches of science.

Visit the departments' websites for in-depth subject information and details about current research.

[top]

Flexibility and choice

The flexibility of the course makes it possible to take purely biological sciences, purely physical sciences or a combination of both, according to your interests.

Many students discover a passion for the new subjects that they start in the first year, such as Earth Sciences or Materials Science, and continue with these in subsequent years.

Most students pursue a single advanced subject in Year 3 (Part II), concentrating on specific areas and undertaking a research project or dissertation. Alternatively, you can take the broader Biological and Biomedical Sciences option or the Physical Sciences option.

[top]

Biological Sciences options

If you're interested in biological sciences, three of the first year (Part IA) options cover biological subjects: Biology of Cells; Evolution and Behaviour; and Physiology of Organisms. Therefore, possible biological sciences combinations include:

• purely biological - all three biology options
• biochemical/pharmacological - combining biology options and Chemistry
• ecological/evolutionary - combining biology options and Earth Sciences
• physical - combining Chemistry, Physics and Biology of Cells

You also take a mathematics paper; usually Mathematical Biology or Elementary Mathematics for Biologists.

In second year (Part IB), biological subjects are offered. Some of these develop topics covered in Part IA and others introduce new material. The flexibility of the course makes it possible to take purely biological sciences, or to combine biological sciences with, for example, organic chemistry (Chemistry B), Geological Sciences A or History and Philosophy of Science.

Most students focus on a single subject in third year (Part II) and concentrate on specific areas of the discipline. Alternatively, you can take the broader Biological and Biomedical Sciences option.

It's possible to take a Part III in Biochemistry, History and Philosophy of Science or Systems Biology, leading to an MSci degree.

[top]

Physical Sciences options

In the first year (Part IA), those more interested in the physical sciences might choose:

• purely physical - three from Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences or Materials Science
• physical/biological - combining two physical subjects and a biological option
• two physical sciences with Computer Science

A Level (or equivalent) Mathematics and the Part IA Mathematics of the NST are essential for some physical sciences subjects.

In the second year (Part IB), eight physical science subjects are offered. Students who think of themselves as physicists usually choose Physics A and B, plus another science or Mathematics. Potential chemists generally take Chemistry A and B with a further physical or biological subject, or even Experimental Psychology or History and Philosophy of Science.

Many physical scientists discover a real enthusiasm for the new subjects that they start in the first year, such as Earth Sciences, Materials Science or a biological subject, and continue with these in subsequent years.

Most students focus on a single subject in third year (Part II) and concentrate on specific areas of the discipline. Alternatively, you can take the broader Physical Sciences option.

It's possible to take a Part III in Astrophysics, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, History and Philosophy of Science, Materials Science, Physics or Systems Biology, leading to an MSci degree.

[top]

Learning and assessment

The course is both intensive and challenging, but the excellent learning environment enables you to rise to this challenge. Your timetable is full and structured and you'll encounter new ways of learning and studying.

Each subject approaches teaching in different ways but a combination of lectures, practical classes, example classes, supervisions and seminars provides core subject knowledge and develops your transferable skills. Support from supervisors and your Director of Studies helps you to develop the most suitable way of working for you, but for each option in Year 1, you usually have three hours of lectures, some practical work and one supervision per week.

Assessment varies depending on the option taken but always includes written examinations. There may also be practical examinations or continuous assessment of practical work.

[top]

Preparatory reading

No preparatory reading is required for the course but a list of interesting and informative books for prospective students is available on the Natural Sciences website.

[top]

Changing course

In the first year, a number of students take Computer Science or Mathematics with Physics and then change to Natural Sciences to continue with Physics from their second year.

In contrast, some students take Part IA Natural Sciences and change to the Computer Science course or Chemical Engineering in their second year. It's also possible (with your College's agreement) to take Part I Natural Sciences and then transfer to another subject such as Management Studies, or another arts or social science subject for Part II.

[top]

After Natural Sciences?

Almost half of our graduates continue with further study and research; either in Cambridge or at other universities, in the chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental management or nanotechnology. Natural Sciences prepares you well for the challenges of research, especially in emerging interdisciplinary areas.

Other graduates follow a wide range of careers, from banking or accountancy to law, and from consultancy to media-related work. Skills which Natural Sciences graduates develop are highly valued by employers.

[top]

Course outline

Teaching is provided through lectures, seminars, and supervisions. In your first year you can typically expect to have six lectures and three supervisions each week.

• Year 1 (Part IA)
• Year 2 (Part IB)
• Year 3 and 4 (Parts II and III)

Entry requirements

Typical offers require
A Level: A*AA
IB: 40-42 points, with 776 or 777 at Higher Level
For other qualifications, see our main Entrance requirements pages.

Further Resources

Find out more about Natural Sciences at Cambridge

• Course website - Explore Natural Sciences in more detail on the course website.
• Course FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about the Natural Sciences course.
• Teaching style - Information about the styles of teaching used in the Natural Sciences degree course.

Improve your knowledge of Natural Sciences

• Preparatory reading - Guidance on preparatory reading for applicants interested in Natural Sciences, broken down by subject area.

Tools to help you with your Natural Sciences application

• Application information - Information on the entry requirements for the different subject paths in the Natural Sciences course.
• Additional course costs - Information on the additional costs associated with the study of Natural Sciences.
• Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) Preparation - Resources to help prepare for the TSA (required for Natural Sciences at some Colleges). Includes practise tests, suggested textbooks and further reading.

Natural Sciences and your future

• Transferable skills - A guide to the transferable skills you can develop during the course of a Natural Sciences degree.

Check out the specific resources for each of the subjects that make up Natural Sciences