[Kooper]

(Original post by Brutal Chav)
Wow - really helpful, cheers!
What do the stars next to some topics mean?
Also, is there any actual Cambridge teaching material you are allowed to share with other people?

Np

As topaz said, the stars in maths generally indicate course B content (the harder one), but I haven't starred everything. In physics, it's the topics I'm avoiding in the exam! So yeah, they're generally just for my revision purposes.

Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to share official material, there's no problem with sharing stuff I've put together, but Cambridge are very secretive about their courses... Sorry!

[When you see it...]

What are the three most relevant subjects at AS if you have done:
Biology;
Chemistry;
Physics;
Maths/FM (apparantly they are considered one subject?)?
Would they look at Bio/Chem/Phys or Bio/Chem/Maths (if you applied for a biology-related course).

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by When you see it...)
What are the three most relevant subjects at AS if you have done:
Biology;
Chemistry;
Physics;
Maths/FM (apparantly they are considered one subject?)?
Would they look at Bio/Chem/Phys or Bio/Chem/Maths (if you applied for a biology-related course).

Technically they look at 3 most relevant, though a 4th science will also be looked at realistically.

For biological natural sciences the 3 most relevant subjects would be Chemistry, Biology and Maths with about equal weighting. Further Maths and Physics would follow and would also be looked at if taken as a 4th subject, but would be less important than those top 3.

Maths and FM are not considered one subject, although some people treat them as one and a half, mainly because they're so linked. This is especially true for Maths and Physics and Engineering courses, where FM is really the more important but you won't do well in FM without first doing well in normal maths.
For Bio courses FM is a nice extra, but the normal maths is the most important one.

[When you see it...]

(Original post by The Mr Z)
Technically they look at 3 most relevant, though a 4th science will also be looked at realistically.

For biological natural sciences the 3 most relevant subjects would be Chemistry, Biology and Maths with about equal weighting. Further Maths and Physics would follow and would also be looked at if taken as a 4th subject, but would be less important than those top 3.

Maths and FM are not considered one subject, although some people treat them as one and a half, mainly because they're so linked. This is especially true for Maths and Physics and Engineering courses, where FM is really the more important but you won't do well in FM without first doing well in normal maths.
For Bio courses FM is a nice extra, but the normal maths is the most important one.

Thanks.
So they will look at all subjects, but will weight physics (and further maths) less?

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by When you see it...)
Thanks.
So they will look at all subjects, but will weight physics (and further maths) less?

Yes, as it were. I gather the 3 most relevant are used to make a numerical scoring, but this is largely a yard-stick, they will actually both look broader at other relevant subjects and also deeper at individual module marks. (Eg in maths your Mechanics modules carry more weight than stats modules for physics)

Put this way - a relevant 4th subject will not be ignored, but it won't be the be all and end all either.

[When you see it...]

(Original post by The Mr Z)
Yes, as it were. I gather the 3 most relevant are used to make a numerical scoring, but this is largely a yard-stick, they will actually both look broader at other relevant subjects and also deeper at individual module marks. (Eg in maths your Mechanics modules carry more weight than stats modules for physics)

Put this way - a relevant 4th subject will not be ignored, but it won't be the be all and end all either.

Okay thanks.

[IWantSomeMushu]

Hi!

I'm going to be taking Maths, Further Maths, Chem and Physics at AS Level soon. I'm looking to study Physics at University, but also considering the Cambridge NatSci course.

Will I be at a disadvantage applying for Physical NatSci with Maths, FM and Physics at A2, having dropped Chem?

[Oromis263]

(Original post by IWantSomeMushu)
Hi!

I'm going to be taking Maths, Further Maths, Chem and Physics at AS Level soon. I'm looking to study Physics at University, but also considering the Cambridge NatSci course.

Will I be at a disadvantage applying for Physical NatSci with Maths, FM and Physics at A2, having dropped Chem?

No? Assuming you want to continue the physics path in NatSci, what better 3 could you keep? You don't have to take Chemistry for all of the tripos, but it would limit your options (ie, no chemistry, and materials/earth sciences would be a bit of work to catch up from what I've heard, may be wrong). Also consider that you will more than likely be asked chemistry questions at interview should you get one, so be careful not to forget all AS chemistry over the summer.

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by IWantSomeMushu)
Hi!

I'm going to be taking Maths, Further Maths, Chem and Physics at AS Level soon. I'm looking to study Physics at University, but also considering the Cambridge NatSci course.

Will I be at a disadvantage applying for Physical NatSci with Maths, FM and Physics at A2, having dropped Chem?

No, not at all.

While it'd be nice to have chemistry, in that it would make more 1st year course options available to you, it's not at all required for a physics-focused application.

In terms of courses - it'd limit your ability to take chemistry and some bio-natsci courses, but shouldn't affect your materials or geology or physics.

Most colleges ask you to choose a primary science for your interview, ie physics or chemistry, and you will only be interviewed on that science and mathematics.

[Kooper]

(Original post by IWantSomeMushu)
Hi!

I'm going to be taking Maths, Further Maths, Chem and Physics at AS Level soon. I'm looking to study Physics at University, but also considering the Cambridge NatSci course.

Will I be at a disadvantage applying for Physical NatSci with Maths, FM and Physics at A2, having dropped Chem?

As others have said, you won't be at a disadvantage, but your options will be chosen for you. If you hate chemistry, then there's no loss in dropping it! But if you enjoy it, it's well worth considering self-teaching that or Maths (obviously depending on your school situation) so you can do all four. I did all four, and to be honest, the workload wasn't bad at all, and it does give you the freedom. But if you know what you want to do, I guess there's not much loss in dropping it!


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[g.k.galloway]

Heya, I've been looking at the Cambridge Natural Sciences course, I love the diversity it holds. I'm in year 11 now and picking AS's

Next year I'm looking at taking Biology,Chemistry,Maths and Economics (drop econ. after AS) but after looking at the course I was wondering whether It would be worth taking physics instead of economics. The main reason I was taking it was as I believe I will enjoy it and I thought it would show I hold skills other than the sciences...

So in your opinion should I change it? (I am more interested in the chem/bio side of the natural sciences)

Also what would help boost an application to natural sciences in terms of work experience etc?

Thanks

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by g.k.galloway)
Heya, I've been looking at the Cambridge Natural Sciences course, I love the diversity it holds. I'm in year 11 now and picking AS's

Next year I'm looking at taking Biology,Chemistry,Maths and Economics (drop econ. after AS) but after looking at the course I was wondering whether It would be worth taking physics instead of economics. The main reason I was taking it was as I believe I will enjoy it and I thought it would show I hold skills other than the sciences...

So in your opinion should I change it? (I am more interested in the chem/bio side of the natural sciences)

Also what would help boost an application to natural sciences in terms of work experience etc?

Thanks

If you want to do bionatsci you're already taking all the A levels you need with Maths, Chemistry and Biology. A-level physics won't hinder you but it isn't really necessary either. Do whichever one you would rather do.

[Game_boy]

I'm going to do Part II Physical Sciences (Half Subject Physics) next year and was planning to do Materials but it will cause timetable clashes on some options.

I'm therefore considering doing HPS. Obviously I've read the website information on it but does anyone know much about taking it? Is it time consuming compared to a mathematical subject? I see that almost no one gets a Third/Fail but equally almost no one gets a First, is there something unusual/hard about the exam that causes a flat distribution?

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by Game_boy)
I'm going to do Part II Physical Sciences (Half Subject Physics) next year and was planning to do Materials but it will cause timetable clashes on some options.

I'm therefore considering doing HPS. Obviously I've read the website information on it but does anyone know much about taking it? Is it time consuming compared to a mathematical subject? I see that almost no one gets a Third/Fail but equally almost no one gets a First, is there something unusual/hard about the exam that causes a flat distribution?

Noo stay with Materials!

Are you sure on the clash? Maybe ask about that on Monday at the "Coffee morning"? I'd have imagined half subject Materials and Physics to be (relatively) common so I'd be surprised if they clashed unavoidably.

(Now I need to try and guess who you are )

HPS is an arts subject and an essay subject, essentially there's a huge narrowing of the distribution towards the mean. That's because it's really hard to write several 1st class essays, but equally not that hard to write consistent 2.1s. All essay subjects show this - the distribution is not really any narrower than the likes of History.

I gather from my friend who did it this year that it is quite time-consuming, but mostly it's a very different way of working to a mathematical subject - you have to spend a lot of time doing preparation and reading, note taking etc. The time actually writing the essay is quite short, but you can spend a long time getting in a position to start writing.

Also, it really has to be something that interests you and you would think about naturally anyway, you need to have opinions and arguments on the topics to do well - you can't just reiterate what you've read about.

[Game_boy]

(Original post by The Mr Z)
Noo stay with Materials!

Are you sure on the clash? Maybe ask about that on Monday at the "Coffee morning"? I'd have imagined half subject Materials and Physics to be (relatively) common so I'd be surprised if they clashed unavoidably.

(Now I need to try and guess who you are )

HPS is an arts subject and an essay subject, essentially there's a huge narrowing of the distribution towards the mean. That's because it's really hard to write several 1st class essays, but equally not that hard to write consistent 2.1s. All essay subjects show this - the distribution is not really any narrower than the likes of History.

I gather from my friend who did it this year that it is quite time-consuming, but mostly it's a very different way of working to a mathematical subject - you have to spend a lot of time doing preparation and reading, note taking etc. The time actually writing the essay is quite short, but you can spend a long time getting in a position to start writing.

Also, it really has to be something that interests you and you would think about naturally anyway, you need to have opinions and arguments on the topics to do well - you can't just reiterate what you've read about.

You wouldn't know me, I've been isolated since starting which in some ways has lead to my current position.

I'm looking minimise the risk of a Third, I plan to do a PGCE the year after which won't depend on my class beyond that. I am better at essays (?) and memorisation than the harder calculation questions, and I do not like the unstructured nature of the Materials Artefact Project. Having a year to read and make notes on a set reading list seems doable if I devote the time I spent stuck on physics question sheets last year. I was wondering if there was some hidden catch beyond the reading and memorisation required.

The clash is between Thermal and Stat Physics / Soft Condensed Matter at 9am in the Cavendish and 10am Materials in town. I'd miss the end and start of the lecture and need to cycle fast even to do that. Honestly not enough people take Half Subject Physics to be worth accommodating. I could still do it if necessary or choose other options in Physics.

I haven't written assessed essays since GCSE English so I'm just concerned that I would turn out to be bad at it whereas I got >60% in Materials at IA.

[The Mr Z]

(Original post by Game_boy)
You wouldn't know me, I've been isolated since starting which in some ways has lead to my current position.

I'm looking minimise the risk of a Third, I plan to do a PGCE the year after which won't depend on my class beyond that. I am better at essays (?) and memorisation than the harder calculation questions, and I do not like the unstructured nature of the Materials Artefact Project. Having a year to read and make notes on a set reading list seems doable if I devote the time I spent stuck on physics question sheets last year. I was wondering if there was some hidden catch beyond the reading and memorisation required.

The clash is between Thermal and Stat Physics / Soft Condensed Matter at 9am in the Cavendish and 10am Materials in town. I'd miss the end and start of the lecture and need to cycle fast even to do that. Honestly not enough people take Half Subject Physics to be worth accommodating. I could still do it if necessary or choose other options in Physics.

I haven't written assessed essays since GCSE English so I'm just concerned that I would turn out to be bad at it whereas I got >60% in Materials at IA.

Well...HPS is certainly more flexible that way, but the essays will be absolutely nothing like GCSE. I suggest you find someone who's done HPS and read some of their essays, or failing that probably a Historian. You also don't have a year, you have lots of intermediate essays and after you've written one you're soon onto a completely separate topic. It's a very fast turnaround.

It is however very unstructured.

[Game_boy]

(Original post by The Mr Z)
Well...HPS is certainly more flexible that way, but the essays will be absolutely nothing like GCSE. I suggest you find someone who's done HPS and read some of their essays, or failing that probably a Historian. You also don't have a year, you have lots of intermediate essays and after you've written one you're soon onto a completely separate topic. It's a very fast turnaround.

It is however very unstructured.

Thanks. I don't know anyone who has done it, or History, so I will ask my DoS.

[illusionz]

(Original post by Game_boy)
Thanks. I don't know anyone who has done it, or History, so I will ask my DoS.

I did HPS last year. The course is a joke. It is literally impossible to get lower than a mid 2:2 (and god I tried).

That said, it is actually very interesting. I just couldn't be bothered to go to lectures at 5pm when I knew I could get away with just reading a book for an essay.

I took it as a filler choice and thus didn't really try. It only took about 4-5 hours out of my week (a vast amount less than my chemistry options), and I only revised for 2 days, but I got a 2:2 in the exam.

If your sole aim is to not get a 3rd then it's a good choice. I think it would be a lot of work to do very well in though as you'd need to read a lot. Obviously if you enjoy it then that won't be an issue.

Also I hadn't written an essay since GCSEs. Lots of people are in the same position, and the course is taught with that in mind.

[Mike93L]

(Original post by IWantSomeMushu)
Hi!

I'm going to be taking Maths, Further Maths, Chem and Physics at AS Level soon. I'm looking to study Physics at University, but also considering the Cambridge NatSci course.

Will I be at a disadvantage applying for Physical NatSci with Maths, FM and Physics at A2, having dropped Chem?

Just to warn you, some colleges interview by having one interview in physics and one in chem for PhysNatSci (I know Downing does) so that may put you at a disadvantage. Many colleges interview physics and maths though I think? However, do do your research.

[Llewellyn]

(Original post by Mike93L)
Just to warn you, some colleges interview by having one interview in physics and one in chem for PhysNatSci (I know Downing does) so that may put you at a disadvantage. Many colleges interview physics and maths though I think? However, do do your research.

I think Clare also interview in Chemistry (I think it was Clare who did the mock interview videos?)

If anyone has a list of which colleges interview in which subjects please link me, I'd be very interested to find out. Ultimately, it probably won't make a huge difference because if there isn't a maths interview the physics one will probably be more mathematical, but even so it would be nice to know.