Oxford PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) Students and Applicants

What's it on??

Are the biological options significantly more wordy/essay based than the applied physical ones (MMS and geology?). I think I would like Biology if it's taught properly (less vague, more rigour) unlike at A-level. I was going to pick MMS but the content of Cell Biology could be more interesting.

firstly, im confused about the difference between biological natsci and physical. apparently they arent just equated to biology and physics right? and do you apply to a specific course or just one of those two and specialise later?

Also, is biological natsci a very wordy/essay-y/english-y subject? sure hope not lol.

so not sure where to apply yet. Oh and one last one: i hear some colleges do a test at interview?!

Hello there I'm interested in the NatSci course and am thinking of applying next year and had a few qestions to throw at you here
firstly, im confused about the difference between biological natsci and physical. apparently they arent just equated to biology and physics right? and do you apply to a specific course or just one of those two and specialise later?

They can theoretically push their DoS (once they're here) to be allowed to do other physical options, but that's fairly rare (though many Bio NatSci students do physical maths e.g. Maths A).


That is correct.

I think the distinction may be more or less strict at different colleges. Here (Christ's) there's no official division, and you can choose any combination of options (as long as the lectures don't clash, obviously)

Ah right.. but at interview, do they base questions based on which one you take? And at christs do they do a test at interview ? i read somewhere they want written work sent in...do they mean like an essy or report ot what? and do you do many essays and written reports? cheers

Hi everyone,

As you can see in my sig, I applied to read Computer Science (with Physics). I applied to Cambridge because of the flexibility of the tripos system. So in my first year I would be studying 25% Maths (same as NatScis), 25% Physics (same as NatScis) and 50% Computer Science.

I am really interested in Computer Science and looking forward to starting in october. The thing is, do you know if DoSs usually say no to transfers between tripos (mine would to Physics)? I am absolutely not sure I want to transfer after next year, but I've read that everywhere says "at the discretion of the college and DoSs".

So that would be my question. Do they usually accept or sometimes say no?

Thanks

aaand how, other than expressing interest and passion and further reading, can one show interest on a Natsci personal statement?
cuz i heard work experience isn't really usefull. that so? cuz there's a neurology facility near where i live where i'm interested in shadowing for a while . hmmm

advice appreciated!

Can anyone tell me exactly what sort of stuff is covered by the Maths A course? I'd rather not take the biological maths course as I didn't much enjoy stats that much at A level, but I'm terrible at mechanics and I assume that the Maths A course would be very physicsy.