Natural Sciences

Cambridge is renowned throughout the world for its excellence in scientific research in a wide variety of fields, from genetic engineering to evolutionary biology, from superconductivity to astrophysics. An important factor in establishing this success has been the ease of interchange of ideas and techniques between scientific disciplines. It is therefore natural that the chief features of the teaching of the Natural Sciences at Cambridge are breadth and flexibility. It is broad because you cannot study just one science: you must start with a range of three subjects, at least one of which will probably be new. It is flexible because you can change direction easily as your interests develop: for example, you may begin the course intending to be a physicist and end up as a molecular biologist, or you may transfer to a completely different subject such as Chemical Engineering or Management Studies.

In the first year you must choose three sciences from among the following:

Biology of Cells
Chemistry
Geology
Evolution and Behaviour
Physics
Materials and Mineral Sciences
Physiology of Organisms

Most of these can be tackled as new subjects. In addition, all students take one of the Mathematics courses. There are three options, tailored to different levels of interest and attainment.

It is possible to study Computer Science in the first year, replacing two of the three experimental subjects with a computer science course or 25% (one subject) which does not lead to second year Computer Science. Mathematics with Physics, is also a first year option, but anyone interested in this must apply as a mathematician and not as a natural scientist.

In the second year more specialization is possible, with a choice of courses from 20 options. In the third year, most people concentrate on one subject only. In this year, you become identified with a particular Department. Your work, which would include a research project, brings you into direct contact with working scientists and to the forefront of current understanding in the subject. A degree can be obtained after three years, but Physics, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, Materials Sciences and Metallurgy, Biochemistry and some other subjects offer an optional fourth year with further specialisation. Field trips are an essential part of some courses, for example Ecology and Earth Sciences. Further details of particular subjects are contained in the Cambridge University Guide to Courses.

A degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge is an excellent qualification for employment - and not only in the scientific sphere. The University has good contacts with local research institutes, and a number of science-based companies whose establishment in the area has been promoted by the University in recent years. A good proportion of those graduating go on to do a PhD degree and research work in universities and in industry, but some of our graduates go on to careers in law, management, teaching, broadcasting, accountancy, computing, public relations and so on.

Studying Natural Science at Clare

The College has a strong tradition of excellence in Natural Sciences with a large number of teaching Fellows covering most of the individual subjects within the Tripos. Dr Jonathan Goodman and Professor Mike Majerus, advise on the choice of subjects as overall Directors of Studies in the Physical and Biological Sciences respectively. In each individual science, there is a Director of Studies. Almost all of these are Fellows of Clare, who will supervise you or arrange for supervision from an appropriate specialist.

There is a College Natural Science Society - The Whiston Society. This organises social events and an annual dinner to which a distinguished speaker is invited.

Admissions

Each year we accept 25-35 students, but there is no College quota for Natural Sciences nor for the numbers of Biological and Physical Scientists: our sole concern is to find those students with the potential to make the most of the science teaching offered by Cambridge. Most candidates are interviewed in December. The normal pattern is for two interviews to bring out your different scientific interests.

You will also be asked to do the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) as part of the admissions process. The TSA assesses two kinds of thinking: problem solving (reasoning using numerical and spatial skills) and critical thinking (reasoning using everyday written language). These general skills will be assessed by multiple-choice questions. In each case, a stimulus is presented, followed by questions and five options. The questions will not test your knowledge of any specific subject areas. It is a 90 minutes test, taken in College on the day of interview. Further information is available on the TSA website http://tsa.ucles.org.uk

Offers are usually made at the level of 3As at A2-level. Normally the subjects must include two sciences, but it is possible to satisfy the requirements by offering Physics and Mathematics only. In general we are happy for candidates to apply for deferred entry, especially if part of the year can be spent gaining industrial or research experience, or in travel abroad.

Natural Science at Cambridge (PDF File)

Guide to Subjects

Nobel Prize Winners

Dr Tim Hunt, Hon. Fellow, Nobel Prize Winner, discovered the first cyclin molecule in the early 1980s. Cyclins are proteins formed and degraded during each cell cycle. They were named cyclins because the levels of these proteins vary periodically during the cell cycle. The cyclins bind to the CDK molecules, thereby regulating the CDK activity and selecting the proteins to be phosphorylated.

Dr James Watson, Discoverer of the DNA Molecule, Hon. Fellow, Nobel Prize Winner for physiology/medicine.

"Suddenly to see the molecule which is responsible for heredity, and which makes possible human existence, was a very big step in man's understanding of himself in the same sense that Darwin knew that the human species wasn't fixed, that we were changing. It was bound to affect your attitude to everything".

Fellows in Natural Sciences:

Dr Jonathan Goodman, Overall Director of Studies for Physical Natural Sciences, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry

Professor Mike Majerus , Overall Director of Studies for Biological Natural Sciences

Dr Anna Philpott, Overall Director of Studies for Biological Natural Sciences (Part IB), Director of Studies in Biology of Cells, Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Lecturer in Oncology

Dr Paul Bristowe, Director of Studies all Parts, Reader in Materials Science
Dr Catherine Clarke, Director of Studies in Astronomy, Reader in Theoretical Astrophysics

Professor Nicola Clayton, Director of Studies in Experimental Psychology, Professor of Comparative Cognition Psychology

Dr Paul Edwards, Director of Studies in Pathology, Senior Lecturer in Pathology

Dr Patricia Fara, Director of Studies in History & Philosophy of Science

Dr William Foster, Director of Studies in Animal Biology and Zoology, Senior Lecturer in Zoology

Dr John Gibson, Director of Studies in Physiology, Reader in Veterinary Science (Physiology)

Prof Robert Glen, Unilever Professor of Molecular Sciences Informatics

Dr Neil Greenham, Director of Studies in Physics - all Parts, Reader in Physics

Prof Howard Griffiths, Director of Studies in Plant Sciences, Professor of Plant Ecology

Prof William Harris, Director of Studies in Neuroscience, Professor of Anatomy

Dr Peter Knewstubb, Emeritus Assistant Director of Research in Chemistry

Prof Peter Leadlay, Professor of Biochemistry

Dr Tim Lewens, Director of Studies in Philosophy, University Senior Lecturer in History and Philosophy of Science

Prof Donald Lynden-Bell, Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics

Prof Jeremiah Ostriker, Emeritus Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy

Professor Richard Phillips, Professor in Physics

Dr Kenneth Riley, Emeritus Lecturer in Physics

Prof Michiel Sprik, Director of Studies in Chemistry - all Parts, Professor of Theoretical Chemistry

Dr Hendrik van Veen, Director of Studies in Pharmacology, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology

Prof Lorraine Tyler, Research Professor of Experimental Psychology

Dr Nigel Woodcock, Director of Studies in Geology, Senior Lecturer in Earth Sciences

Dr Patrick Barrie, External Director of Studies in Chemical Engineering

Prof Volker Heine, Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics

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