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Oxford Demystified - Materials Science

Hi! This is part of the Oxford Demystified book collated by @Oxford Mum. All the other chapters can be found here: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6100480

First of all, a little bit about me:

I’m going into my second year studying Materials Science at St Anne’s College, Oxford. I went to state school & at A Level I studied Maths, Physics, Chemistry & Further Maths. I went on to achieve 2A*s and 2As (these were the grades I applied with- you don’t need straight A*s!!).

I also applied to Manchester, Sheffield, Imperial and Birmingham for variations on Biomaterials courses. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me!

What is Materials Science?

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Why did you want to study your subject?

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Why Oxford?

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Did any of your teachers inspire you? Or any other expert?

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Which resources did you use? Which books did you read? Which did you like best, and why? What did they teach you?

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Did you attend any lectures or take part in any competitions? If so, would you recommend them, and why?

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Did you have any work experience? If so, how did you find it?

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Did you do any summer schools?

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Did you have a specialist interest/EPQ?

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What did you mention in your personal statement and why?

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What techniques did you use for the entrance test (PAT)?

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How did you choose your college? Did you go to an open day and if so, did it help you to decide?

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How did you find the interview process?

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Any interview tips?

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Where were you when you got your offer? How did you react?

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Extra info (in particular for those from state-school/underrepresented at uni backgrounds but also how to find out more!)

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(edited 4 years ago)

OP

Will look at this tomorrow.

Can't wait!!!

Reply 3

Oxford Mum

21

Hi there, @matscigal!

I have been waiting for a while for a materials science chapter, as I was intrigued. You certainly didn't disappoint!

Before you even wrote this chapter, you told me you were reading through all the other chapters to get the "vibe". This is a really important reason to read Oxford Demystified. Each chapter writer is like you, so keen on their subject (you said you could "talk forever and ever about it"). Every chapter writer then goes on to say why they love their subject and it's amazing. It's as if we have been seeing the subject in monochrome yet you see it in glorious technicolour.

The importance of such a chapter, is that it may draw undecided readers, who are interested in science, but don't want to study the classic sciences. It's interesting you went on several schemes and used it to eliminate the other subjects you thought you may have been interested in studying. It's really important to get out and about (sorry if Covid-19 is stopping you this year) and see what all the subjects you like offer. You have been to lectures, listened to podcasts, visited Cern and watched your hero give a talk at a festival. You can't get a place at Oxford by just doing your A levels and nothing else, and thinking this is OK.

Materials are something we take for granted, aren't they? If aircraft broke all the time, we would never want to set foot on a plane, or go to other countries to do business, would we? And look how important PPE masks have become in the current climate. Without masks we would not be able to do many of the things we do, without putting many more lives in danger.

It's incredible that one book took you down this exciting path to Oxford. What I would say to prospective applicants is, find your inspiration. Follow your star and keep relentlessly following it, so once you get to the interview stage, you feel, not exactly like an expert, but equipped to have a very interesting discussion with a tutor who understands your love for your subject.

Let's have a shout out to Materials World magazine, too:

https://www.iom3.org/materials-world-magazine

As for the entrance test (the MAT), that mantra, "practise practise practise" is what every single chapter writer tells me. Find some coping strategies and develop tactics, so once you get in the exam room, the test is not a total surprise.

Reply 4

Oxford Mum

21

Now we move on to St Annes college. I have never visited, and this is a glaring omission of mine. If you feel intimidated by the so called "stuffy" Oxford with it's grand buildings and august heritage, this may be the college for you!

https://www.st-annes.ox.ac.uk/

Laid back and friendly, this is the Oxford many will be looking for. It's a modern college but also they have the same standard of world class tutors and a fantastic library to boot. It seems to have kitchens that other colleges can only dream of (check out that chest freezer!!) and a very valuable asset - good disability access. Many Oxford prospectives ask me about good access, so I know which college to recommend now, don't I?

In your personal statement section, you say you made bullet points before you drafted your PS. This is very important I feel. Whenever you have an important experience you want to use, write it down (like that festival talk and what it taught you), and save it all for later, otherwise you may forget it.

I know with the medicine PS you need to write a realistic view about medicine, for instance and not think it's all sunshine and daisies.

On to the interviews. Yes, you have made the same very valuable points as the other offer holders and students. But you make a new and exciting suggestion: act like you are "looking to be taught". This is crucial to success. The interviews mimic a tutorial, so act like you are already studying there. Listen carefully to the tutors, let them guide you and respect what they are saying. Enjoy, if you can, having the conversation, as that is what it is. Take your time answering the questions and really get into the challenges they pose. Try your best, show your workings, and don't worry if you got it wrong. They may still award you a place because they like the way you think.

As for crying afterwards, if the interviewees are not crying openly, believe me they are crying inside. Nobody, but nobody thinks they have got in. Let me revise that. Some people think they have got in, but these are the very people who tend not to get in.

Let's look at a really iconic (now graduate) student (Miss Varz) who cried after her interview at Brasenose:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLvt3UMn2r0

Also please tell me what the 5 W's are? I guess I have just mentioned one of them.

Reply 5

Oxford Mum

21

Other sources of information:

Thanks for pointing out how you can speak to students using the links you provide. I also hope that prospective applicants will come and ask you questions on this very thread (the shyer ones may end up PM'ing you)

As for Zero Gravity, thanks for mentioning that. I am a big fan. If you have 7 x 8/9s and go to a state school, you may be eligible. They offer free mentoring by real Oxford students, over the phone for one hour per week. So very Covid friendly.

https://www.zerogravity.co.uk/impact

Also, OP they are always looking for mentors, who can only be current Oxford students.

Thank you for your beautiful chapter, @matscigal. I hope you will be a great inspiration and guide to anyone who reads this chapter.

Will now add this to the book

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 6

Oxford Mum

21

Oxford interview questions and suggested reading

http://www.oxfordinterviewquestions.com/questions/materials-science/

http://apply.oxfordsu.org/courses/materials/interviews/

https://stepmaths.co.uk/oxford/oxford-materials-science-student-4-seasons/

https://www.researchgate.net/topic/Materials-Science-and-Engineering

http://www.synergy.ac.in/intranet/assign/QUESTION%20BANK%20MS.PDF

Youtube interview videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxwdXx6SOSY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE9CWzndlBY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rwnI_vTjMs

(edited 4 years ago)

OP

Original post by Oxford Mum

Also please tell me what the 5 W's are? I guess I have just mentioned one of them.

Sorry I should have been more clear! The 5Ws are the questions who? what? when? and more importantly why? and how?

Reply 9

matscigal

OP

11

Original post by theJoyfulGeek

Wow - this post was amazing and incredibly interesting! I loved hearing about your experiences doing Materials Science.

I've actually read both of the books you mentioned (although I'm a NatSci applicant), and I loved Stuff Matters! Mark Miodownik had such an interesting - but weird life; how many people can say that being stabbed made them want to study materials science? Also, is it just me, or does he have an unhealthy obsession with chocolate? Every other chapter makes sense, but chocolate? Just why - chocolate is disgusting! I loved the biomaterials chapter - but my favourite one was the one about foams and aerogels! Those materials are so amazing and I'd love to have the opportunity to actually hold an aerogel at some point or see what they feel like. Sorry - I just loved that book! I found Stuff Matter kind of old-fashioned (although I'm not saying that in my PS), but the glass stuff and stuff about why materials weren't as strong as they should be was fascinating! Sorry about that - but I've finally found someone else who likes those two books!

How many lines did you spend on each one? (I'm applying to two different but similar interdisciplinary courses, so have a paragraph on materials, and two other ones on separate science interests - is that enough, do you think?)

Also, it's so cool that you taught yourself Italian! I'm half Italian (and half Spanish), and it's awesome to see people learning my language! Italian is so under-appreciated compared to Spanish, or even French.

Which instruments do you play?

Thank you so much again!!

He definitely has a much more interesting story than me! Chocolate surprisingly is similar in some ways to the more "real" materials but I do agree that he might be obsessed- at the talk I went to, we were all given a piece of chocolate to melt in our mouths!
Foams & aerogels are so cool- if you speak to many materials undergrads aerogel is their favourite material! Stuff Matters is very much more for the general public than most science books I've read - you don't need to know a lot about science to give it a read! I think it gives a great insight into materials without getting too technical but also then gives you the opportunity to be like I wonder why and research further if you want!
For your personal statement, I know just how hard getting the balance right was- my courses at Imperial & Oxford were much more you study Materials Science then specialise later whereas Birmingham's course was run out of the Department of Dentistry! I think the best way to go about it is try and link them so it looks like you're not applying to separate courses. For example, I wrote about Stuff Matters and then went on to say my favourite chapter was on biomaterials and because of that I've researched them by ...
My Italian now after a year of university not using it is awful but learning a new language is a great way to expand your mind- I did beginners Spanish this year at the university language centre which I really enjoyed!
I'm an oboist- I play a few other instruments but the oboe is my main instrument by far!

Reply 10

Mona123456

19

Original post by matscigal

Hi! This is part of the Oxford Demystified book collated by @Oxford Mum. All the other chapters can be found here: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6100480

First of all, a little bit about me:

I’m going into my second year studying Materials Science at St Anne’s College, Oxford. I went to state school & at A Level I studied Maths, Physics, Chemistry & Further Maths. I went on to achieve 2A*s and 2As (these were the grades I applied with- you don’t need straight A*s!!).

I also applied to Manchester, Sheffield, Imperial and Birmingham for variations on Biomaterials courses. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me!

What is Materials Science?

Spoiler

Why did you want to study your subject?

Spoiler

Why Oxford?

Spoiler

Did any of your teachers inspire you? Or any other expert?

Spoiler

Which resources did you use? Which books did you read? Which did you like best, and why? What did they teach you?

Spoiler

Did you attend any lectures or take part in any competitions? If so, would you recommend them, and why?

Spoiler

Did you have any work experience? If so, how did you find it?

Spoiler

Did you do any summer schools?

Spoiler

Did you have a specialist interest/EPQ?

Spoiler

What did you mention in your personal statement and why?

Spoiler

What techniques did you use for the entrance test (PAT)?

Spoiler

How did you choose your college? Did you go to an open day and if so, did it help you to decide?

Spoiler

How did you find the interview process?

Spoiler

Any interview tips?

Spoiler

Where were you when you got your offer? How did you react?

Spoiler

Extra info (in particular for those from state-school/underrepresented at uni backgrounds but also how to find out more!)

Spoiler

Thank you for this great addition to Oxford Demystified! The way you talk about your love for your subject is really sweet, I’m sure you’ll have the best of times in Oxford and I wish you all the best! All of the podcast and YouTube recommendations seem especially helpful too, so I’m sure prospective applicants will be eager to check them out and find your recommendations helpful! :smile:

Reply 11

Reality Check

22

I got a notification to this thread, @Oxford Mum, but I can't see where you've quoted me? :smile:

Reply 12

Muttley79

20

Original post by matscigal

Sorry I should have been more clear! The 5Ws are the questions who? what? when? and more importantly why? and how?

Don't you find St Anne's brutal architecture difficult to live in? The concrete spiral staircases and the rooms themselves are so dreadful. How do larger people actually get into the toilets? Rooms on the Banbury Road side are so noisy too, especially those near the traffic lights.

Reply 13

matscigal

OP

11

Original post by Muttley79

Don't you find St Anne's brutal architecture difficult to live in? The concrete spiral staircases and the rooms themselves are so dreadful. How do larger people actually get into the toilets? Rooms on the Banbury Road side are so noisy too, especially those near the traffic lights.

I mean I think most colleges have ugly concrete buildings- they’re either hidden or way or on show like at Anne’s! I lived in the concrete building this year and at first I thought it was ugly but it felt like home very quickly. A huge plus to that building was the kitchen. The toilets were squished in but it meant we had more facilities so it worked out- college would be happy to move people who arrived in freshers who’s rooms didn’t fit their needs and there are plenty of rooms to meet requirements.
In terms of noise it’s always a toss up - having nearby roads means it’s really easy to move in. I didn’t have a problem with it at all but I live next to a busy road at home!
And it’s positioning by those traffic lights means being right by the materials department!! So really is swings and roundabouts

Reply 14

Oxford Mum

21

Original post by Reality Check

I got a notification to this thread, @Oxford Mum, but I can't see where you've quoted me? :smile:

I haven't Reality, I tagged you in because I just thought as a scientist, you may be interested in this thread, that's all. I think it's fascinating, personally.

Reply 15

Oxford Mum

21

Original post by matscigal

He definitely has a much more interesting story than me! Chocolate surprisingly is similar in some ways to the more "real" materials but I do agree that he might be obsessed- at the talk I went to, we were all given a piece of chocolate to melt in our mouths!
Foams & aerogels are so cool- if you speak to many materials undergrads aerogel is their favourite material! Stuff Matters is very much more for the general public than most science books I've read - you don't need to know a lot about science to give it a read! I think it gives a great insight into materials without getting too technical but also then gives you the opportunity to be like I wonder why and research further if you want!
For your personal statement, I know just how hard getting the balance right was- my courses at Imperial & Oxford were much more you study Materials Science then specialise later whereas Birmingham's course was run out of the Department of Dentistry! I think the best way to go about it is try and link them so it looks like you're not applying to separate courses. For example, I wrote about Stuff Matters and then went on to say my favourite chapter was on biomaterials and because of that I've researched them by ...
My Italian now after a year of university not using it is awful but learning a new language is a great way to expand your mind- I did beginners Spanish this year at the university language centre which I really enjoyed!
I'm an oboist- I play a few other instruments but the oboe is my main instrument by far!

It's hilarious how he likes chocolate so much!

My younger son is passionate about art, so we went to the local art gallery to meet famous cow painter, Caroline Shotton

https://www.buy-fineart.com/artworks.asp?a=3608

She had just finished painting some cows with real chocolate in the background, in fact some of the chocolate was still drying.

Reply 16

Reality Check

22

Original post by Oxford Mum

I haven't Reality, I tagged you in because I just thought as a scientist, you may be interested in this thread, that's all. I think it's fascinating, personally.

Oh, I see

Thanks for tagging me - it is very interesting.

Reply 17

Oxford Mum

21

Original post by Reality Check

Oh, I see

Thanks for tagging me - it is very interesting.

Every time I get a new Oxford (or Cambridge) demystified chapter, I feel so elated. It's like meeting a new person rather than just a few words on a website. They are always interesting and worthy of any shameless praise I heap upon them.