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NatSci choices
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Geology is awesome, but there's a 4h practical exam and a 3h essay paper to contend with, and no continual assessment...
Other than that, it knocks the socks of Cells, which (judging by Plant science this year) is a lot of stamp collecting and learning Protein Kinase Pathways and if you didn't do Biology A Level you will struggle; but that's not to say you won't learn it eventually. I think the same applies for physiology (which my mate hated more than life itself).
Evolution and Behaviour was a really interesting course, a lot more scope for personal opinion and learning concepts. Most of the lecturers were good, and there's a feild course in the Easter Vac (as there is with Geology). It's only handwavy to the degree that you have to think about stuff rather than just learn stuff by rote; and because the data isn't that robust, you gain skills in analysing what people write in papers. You come to realise that you need to take most scientific publications with a huge pinch of salt...
Materials and Minerals, sounds horrid, but actually was really interesting, especially for the much more physical natscis, as it allowed them to apply a lot of the theory they'd been learning in chemistry and physics to real-life materials and situations. You learn about Jet engines and how metal works and get to burn stuff and melt stuff. The minerals bit is kind of dry, personally I liked it because it relates to what I came here to do (geol) but lots of other people loathed it.
Physics practicals make people want to cry, and it is a stupidly hard course(to separate the wheat from the chaff). I think chemistry is a bit more approachable, but like was said, very maths-y (like everything here...)
Its sometimes good to think about what you might want to be doing in second year. Having knowledge already is very useful, especially if the lecturer assumes you don't know it!
Sorry that was a bit long, hope it helps...
Other than that, it knocks the socks of Cells, which (judging by Plant science this year) is a lot of stamp collecting and learning Protein Kinase Pathways and if you didn't do Biology A Level you will struggle; but that's not to say you won't learn it eventually. I think the same applies for physiology (which my mate hated more than life itself).
Evolution and Behaviour was a really interesting course, a lot more scope for personal opinion and learning concepts. Most of the lecturers were good, and there's a feild course in the Easter Vac (as there is with Geology). It's only handwavy to the degree that you have to think about stuff rather than just learn stuff by rote; and because the data isn't that robust, you gain skills in analysing what people write in papers. You come to realise that you need to take most scientific publications with a huge pinch of salt...
Materials and Minerals, sounds horrid, but actually was really interesting, especially for the much more physical natscis, as it allowed them to apply a lot of the theory they'd been learning in chemistry and physics to real-life materials and situations. You learn about Jet engines and how metal works and get to burn stuff and melt stuff. The minerals bit is kind of dry, personally I liked it because it relates to what I came here to do (geol) but lots of other people loathed it.
Physics practicals make people want to cry, and it is a stupidly hard course(to separate the wheat from the chaff). I think chemistry is a bit more approachable, but like was said, very maths-y (like everything here...)
Its sometimes good to think about what you might want to be doing in second year. Having knowledge already is very useful, especially if the lecturer assumes you don't know it!
Sorry that was a bit long, hope it helps...
OK I'll weight in on the subjects I did this year.
Physics - Not much to say about this. You already know if you are a "Physics person", and if you are you will probably find this course interesting. Topics include mechanics, special relativity, electrostatics, optics and waves, quantumn physics and physics of large systems (i.e. Boltzmann's distribution). Of the courses, quantumn physics is a horribly bodgy introduction which will leave you feeling scared, confused and lonely. The rest are quite interesting. The practicals really are dire, however. But it's only 4 hours every fortnight.
Chemistry - I didn't think this was excessively physical. We do 12 lectures on the Thermodynamics and Kinetics of chemical reactions, and it isn't highly advanced stuff either, though there are lots of equations to "just learn!". The organic part of the course on the other hand, takes up most of Lent Term and consists of *checks* 75 odd pages of curly arrow diagrams, which makes a physicsy-person like me want to cry. The rest of the course mostly focusses on developing a more sophisticated model of bonding. Which is boring but easyish. The practicals are slightly more interesting than for Physics, but more importantly they are easier and quicker.
Minerals and Materials - Hated it with a passion. The course may or may not be interesting, I have no idea because
1) In contrast to every other subject, the notes are very sparse and you are required to constantly scribble stuff down during the lectures, thus stopping you actually listening to anything that is said and learning anything.
2) The practicals make you want to personally punch whoever wrote the brief repeatedly in the face. That is, until you figure out they are optional and a complete waste of time. Then you disappear forever.
3) What am I talking about, the course isn't interesting - it is confusingly taught in a very disjointed manner,for at least one of the lecturers you literally cannot understand what is coming out of his mouth, and the lecture hall is always either too hot or too cold, and WHY DO YOU ALWAYS MAKE ME ANGRY
Physics - Not much to say about this. You already know if you are a "Physics person", and if you are you will probably find this course interesting. Topics include mechanics, special relativity, electrostatics, optics and waves, quantumn physics and physics of large systems (i.e. Boltzmann's distribution). Of the courses, quantumn physics is a horribly bodgy introduction which will leave you feeling scared, confused and lonely. The rest are quite interesting. The practicals really are dire, however. But it's only 4 hours every fortnight.
Chemistry - I didn't think this was excessively physical. We do 12 lectures on the Thermodynamics and Kinetics of chemical reactions, and it isn't highly advanced stuff either, though there are lots of equations to "just learn!". The organic part of the course on the other hand, takes up most of Lent Term and consists of *checks* 75 odd pages of curly arrow diagrams, which makes a physicsy-person like me want to cry. The rest of the course mostly focusses on developing a more sophisticated model of bonding. Which is boring but easyish. The practicals are slightly more interesting than for Physics, but more importantly they are easier and quicker.
Minerals and Materials - Hated it with a passion. The course may or may not be interesting, I have no idea because
1) In contrast to every other subject, the notes are very sparse and you are required to constantly scribble stuff down during the lectures, thus stopping you actually listening to anything that is said and learning anything.
2) The practicals make you want to personally punch whoever wrote the brief repeatedly in the face. That is, until you figure out they are optional and a complete waste of time. Then you disappear forever.
3) What am I talking about, the course isn't interesting - it is confusingly taught in a very disjointed manner,for at least one of the lecturers you literally cannot understand what is coming out of his mouth, and the lecture hall is always either too hot or too cold, and WHY DO YOU ALWAYS MAKE ME ANGRY
Fluffstar
Geology is awesome, but there's a 4h practical exam and a 3h essay paper to contend with, and no continual assessment...
Other than that, it knocks the socks of Cells, which (judging by Plant science this year) is a lot of stamp collecting and learning Protein Kinase Pathways and if you didn't do Biology A Level you will struggle; but that's not to say you won't learn it eventually. I think the same applies for physiology (which my mate hated more than life itself).
Evolution and Behaviour was a really interesting course, a lot more scope for personal opinion and learning concepts. Most of the lecturers were good, and there's a feild course in the Easter Vac (as there is with Geology). It's only handwavy to the degree that you have to think about stuff rather than just learn stuff by rote; and because the data isn't that robust, you gain skills in analysing what people write in papers. You come to realise that you need to take most scientific publications with a huge pinch of salt...
Other than that, it knocks the socks of Cells, which (judging by Plant science this year) is a lot of stamp collecting and learning Protein Kinase Pathways and if you didn't do Biology A Level you will struggle; but that's not to say you won't learn it eventually. I think the same applies for physiology (which my mate hated more than life itself).
Evolution and Behaviour was a really interesting course, a lot more scope for personal opinion and learning concepts. Most of the lecturers were good, and there's a feild course in the Easter Vac (as there is with Geology). It's only handwavy to the degree that you have to think about stuff rather than just learn stuff by rote; and because the data isn't that robust, you gain skills in analysing what people write in papers. You come to realise that you need to take most scientific publications with a huge pinch of salt...
Thanks for this (thanks also to Toffee for the course info).
I'm pretty sure I will go for Geology and Evolution (and QB), so I just have to choose between Physiology and Cells. I'm planning to do Zoology eventually. Can anyone tell me what the best combo would be?
Thanks.
Ok i am a current student doing 1A natsci (get exams in 3 days) so i can give some inside information about our course.
I am doing concentrate mainly on the physical side of the course. I can give u a run through of student opinion on each course.
Math course ( well u don't really get a choice here, u have to do one and proper math is a lot harder then QB or EASY math (math for biologist). If u are planning to do chem u can do QB but be warned A LOT OF differetial equations here. If u cannot differetiate do the EASY math.
Chemistry roughly 600/800 ppl does it. A fantastic choice, we have Legendary lecturer! (Best in the country by a long way) down side there is a saturday lecture at 10 am on SATURDAY.
Material, NEVER NEVER NEVER do this course, half the ppl fail asleep in this, The department generally garthers the entire worst lectures in cambridge. (60% ppl doing it absolutly hate it, and 40% likes it for some reason.) However general difficult is not too high.
Physics, interesting course, BUT in the final term The course become VERY VERY hard. If u are not strong at math do not do it. (Here all ppl doing course A math really strange with physics.)
Geology, another option for physical natsci, better reputation then materials. And u have a nice trip to scotland for a week.
Bio of Cells, and physiology, i don't know much about those, but the reputation is Cells is much easier for exams. and physiology is boring and have much more information to learn.
I am doing concentrate mainly on the physical side of the course. I can give u a run through of student opinion on each course.
Math course ( well u don't really get a choice here, u have to do one and proper math is a lot harder then QB or EASY math (math for biologist). If u are planning to do chem u can do QB but be warned A LOT OF differetial equations here. If u cannot differetiate do the EASY math.
Chemistry roughly 600/800 ppl does it. A fantastic choice, we have Legendary lecturer! (Best in the country by a long way) down side there is a saturday lecture at 10 am on SATURDAY.
Material, NEVER NEVER NEVER do this course, half the ppl fail asleep in this, The department generally garthers the entire worst lectures in cambridge. (60% ppl doing it absolutly hate it, and 40% likes it for some reason.) However general difficult is not too high.
Physics, interesting course, BUT in the final term The course become VERY VERY hard. If u are not strong at math do not do it. (Here all ppl doing course A math really strange with physics.)
Geology, another option for physical natsci, better reputation then materials. And u have a nice trip to scotland for a week.
Bio of Cells, and physiology, i don't know much about those, but the reputation is Cells is much easier for exams. and physiology is boring and have much more information to learn.
hi ive applied to study biological natSci this october but iver really fallen out of love with biology, i love chemistry though!is it okay to not study biology at all, even if i entered down that route?! i also am a little stuck on what to study in first year, definately doing chemistry, maths (either course A or QB) and now im not sure what i wanna do for the other two 
geology snd MMS seem alright, but i do psychology at A level so maybe i would like evolution and behaviour?! im hoping to specialise in chemistry...... can anybody help 
cheers
geology snd MMS seem alright, but i do psychology at A level so maybe i would like evolution and behaviour?! im hoping to specialise in chemistry...... can anybody help cheers
ljlindley
iver really fallen out of love with biology
Let me be the first to say...
Biology is clearly the only cool science
I don't think they'll mind if you switch towards Chemistry - the physical/biological distinction is mostly a self-imposed one, especially since you can go in whatever direction you prefer after the first year.
In defence of QB, it's not just stats - stats only takes up about 1/5 of the course. There's quite a lot of applying differential equations in various ways which apply to biological systems. I found it decent enough, and certainly not beyond my ability - I felt like doing EMB would be tantamount to cheating, but that's just me.
Evolution and Behaviour was certainly interesting, and I'm glad I chose that over Physiology. Biology of Cells is a standard option for almost any biologist, and was mostly well taught. Chemistry I found hard and not always interesting, though, and was very discouraged by the exam, to the extent that I'm now considering not doing Chemistry B (organic) next year to support the biochemistry I'm doing.
In defence of QB, it's not just stats - stats only takes up about 1/5 of the course. There's quite a lot of applying differential equations in various ways which apply to biological systems. I found it decent enough, and certainly not beyond my ability - I felt like doing EMB would be tantamount to cheating, but that's just me.
Evolution and Behaviour was certainly interesting, and I'm glad I chose that over Physiology. Biology of Cells is a standard option for almost any biologist, and was mostly well taught. Chemistry I found hard and not always interesting, though, and was very discouraged by the exam, to the extent that I'm now considering not doing Chemistry B (organic) next year to support the biochemistry I'm doing.
Mithent, I don't think *anyone* was encouraged by that chemistry exam, I don't think anyone can make judgements about how well they actually did at this point, we'll just have to wait and see
About biology vs chemistry, you can just take the subjects you want even if you were not interviewed about them. I have to say though that you might end up changing your mind again once you are here. I was going to do chemistry, but now like most biology topics much much more.
In Evolution and Behaviour there are 24 lectures on behaviour, the other 36 are on evolution. I haven't done psychology A level but I would think that the behaviour lectures are very different from what you would have had in school - everything is discussed from an evolutionary perspective, rather than say social. I don't know if you could do materials if you are not doing maths A or B. Good luck!
Anne
About biology vs chemistry, you can just take the subjects you want even if you were not interviewed about them. I have to say though that you might end up changing your mind again once you are here. I was going to do chemistry, but now like most biology topics much much more.
In Evolution and Behaviour there are 24 lectures on behaviour, the other 36 are on evolution. I haven't done psychology A level but I would think that the behaviour lectures are very different from what you would have had in school - everything is discussed from an evolutionary perspective, rather than say social. I don't know if you could do materials if you are not doing maths A or B. Good luck!
Anne
ljlindley
hi ive applied to study biological natSci this october but iver really fallen out of love with biology, i love chemistry though!is it okay to not study biology at all, even if i entered down that route?! i also am a little stuck on what to study in first year, definately doing chemistry, maths (either course A or QB) and now im not sure what i wanna do for the other two geology snd MMS seem alright, but i do psychology at A level so maybe i would like evolution and behaviour?! im hoping to specialise in chemistry...... can anybody help
cheers
geology snd MMS seem alright, but i do psychology at A level so maybe i would like evolution and behaviour?! im hoping to specialise in chemistry...... can anybody help cheers
The "biological" or "physical" labels are just for your interview. They actually say on the form that whatever you write in that box does not put you under any obligation as far as choices are concerned. They won't mind what you choose
MadNatSci
The "biological" or "physical" labels are just for your interview. They actually say on the form that whatever you write in that box does not put you under any obligation as far as choices are concerned. They won't mind what you choose
Er.. Actually this isn't quite true.. I chose to go down the biological route initially and had a biology interview and a chem type interview. Once being accepted I chose my choices as Biology of Cells , Physics , Chemistry and Maths. I sent these off to my dean of studies, and she said that these options make me a physical scientist and hence I would have to have another interview at the start of the year
. "In order to take Physics and Maths, you will need to be approved via the same interview process as those candidates who applied for Natural Sciences (Physical). So, we will have to set up a separate physical science interview "
moleo
Er.. Actually this isn't quite true.. I chose to go down the biological route initially and had a biology interview and a chem type interview. Once being accepted I chose my choices as Biology of Cells , Physics , Chemistry and Maths. I sent these off to my dean of studies, and she said that these options make me a physical scientist and hence I would have to have another interview at the start of the year .
"In order to take Physics and Maths, you will need to be approved via the same interview process as those candidates who applied for Natural Sciences (Physical). So, we will have to set up a separate physical science interview "
. "In order to take Physics and Maths, you will need to be approved via the same interview process as those candidates who applied for Natural Sciences (Physical). So, we will have to set up a separate physical science interview "
I guess this is college dependent because at my college (John's) I wouldn't have had to have a further interview to do this.
Im still really confused about what to do. Ive decided that i actually don't really like biology that much because its just too much you need to learn. Im thinking of not doing physiology but im worried that will affect what i can do in the second year. Any advice?
Pink Sparkles
Im still really confused about what to do. Ive decided that i actually don't really like biology that much because its just too much you need to learn. Im thinking of not doing physiology but im worried that will affect what i can do in the second year. Any advice?
That's strange. Are you basing this on A levels? My impression of my A level subjects has been:
Biology: learning related to understanding of concepts (especially in A2), and application of knowledge has been the key thing (over just learning facts). Which is, of course, the way it should be.
Chemistry: an interesting subject often ruined by pointless learning, such as reaction conditions and the colours of complex ions, that in no way tests my understanding of the subject or my ability in applying chemical principles.
Consequently, I've enjoyed A2 Biology far more than Chemsitry. This wasn't really true in AS, where they both had roughly equal amounts of daft memorising, but has become increasingly so.
Anyway, it might well be completely different at degree level. Indeed, I think (hope?) that all NatScie subjects will be more focused on testing your understanding and scientific ability that memory skills. Or maybe I'm just being an idealist.
I'd also like the question about Physiology's importance answered. I want to do (I think) QB, Cells, Evolution and Geology. Would not doing physiology make it a lot harder for me to do Animal Biology/Plants and Microbes in the second year?
Ah see ive found that for A level biology, as long as you can learn the textbook inside out, you'll get an A. I just can't do that, i get too bored and forget everything lol. It was my lowest grade at AS and it'll be my lowest this year too so im worried about taking all biology options if i get into Cambridge
Anyways random question, on the student finance form when it asks what qualification will you get at the end of the course eg: Bsc Physics. What do we get? Im not actually sure what to put down
Anyways random question, on the student finance form when it asks what qualification will you get at the end of the course eg: Bsc Physics. What do we get? Im not actually sure what to put down
Pink Sparkles
Anyways random question, on the student finance form when it asks what qualification will you get at the end of the course eg: Bsc Physics. What do we get? Im not actually sure what to put down
The 3-year course leads to 'BA Natural Sciences', though you should put down the 4-year qualification, 'MSci Natural Sciences'. Your LEA won't have a problem with you deciding only to do the 3 years at a later stage, but you might have problems changing to the longer course length if you only say you're doing a 3 year course. The qualification is called 'Natural Sciences' regardless of the course options you choose.
Thanks Illusionary
Illusionary
The 3-year course leads to 'BA Natural Sciences', though you should put down the 4-year qualification, 'MSci Natural Sciences'. Your LEA won't have a problem with you deciding only to do the 3 years at a later stage, but you might have problems changing to the longer course length if you only say you're doing a 3 year course. The qualification is called 'Natural Sciences' regardless of the course options you choose.
I asked for four years funding from my LEA (on recommendation, though it's very unlikely I'll do four) but it came through as three from my LEA anyway. I don't know if this is a cockup or policy?
Ditting Suck
I asked for four years funding from my LEA (on recommendation, though it's very unlikely I'll do four) but it came through as three from my LEA anyway. I don't know if this is a cockup or policy?
It could be the policy of your particular LEA - I'd get in touch with either them or with your college for advice. I know this has happened for some current students, for maths as well as NatSci (both can be either 3 or 4 years), at least some of whom didn't do anything about it. As they're not yet at the 3rd/4th year stage, I'm not sure what the consequences will be, but I'd make sure it's correct from the start if I were you - it'll save a lot of hassle in the long term to get it right now.
Edit: Good college choice btw!
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