Personal Statement:Natural Sciences 8

Natural Sciences Personal Statement

I am drawn to Natural Sciences, particularly Microbiology, because the fundamentals are beyond human control; to me, this unpredictability is what makes new discoveries so exciting. I am not daunted by difficult and incomprehensible questions and it is in my nature to find my own plausible theory or seek out an answer. I seem to have an unusual outlook on science compared to my peers; I think it’s wrong to make assumptions based on preconceptions or close-mindedness. For example, I oppose stating that something is impossible or improbable because it’s strange or has no ‘reason’ because, after all, there is no reason for the rules of the universe, so why look for reasons in everything else?

The scientist who articulated my natural outlook on science was physicist Paul Dirac who was ridiculed for suggesting the existence of antiparticles which he predicted from the two outcomes of his equation. His inspiring statement ‘my equation knows more than me’ led me to further appreciate the unpredictability, the strangeness and the beauty of unravelling the mysteries of everything, showing you cannot enter the scientific world with a closed mind. Another quote of his: ‘I do not see how a man can work on the frontiers of Physics and write poetry at the same time. They are in opposition’ helped me realise that science sometimes confronts you with unwelcome results that can challenge utopian suppositions, but these are the sorts of challenges that I would rise to; for me, an easy task is a boring task and frustration is partly responsible for my determination in perfecting a piece of work or solving a problem. I already have many of the self study skills required for university as researching a topic for myself gives me greater sense of achievement and understanding, enabling me to achieve between 88% and 94% in all science exam modules.

Since I am a strong believer in the three science disciplines being treated as one, Natural Sciences is the obvious choice for me. However, I do have a specific area of interest which I find captivating and that is Microbiology. When completing my biology coursework on the molecular ageing process I found an article on viruses explaining how there are traces of their genetic material in our own DNA from previous pandemics. This led to further reading and revealed a whole new area of science which I knew was the future for me. I used to subscribe to New Scientist but changed to Scientific American as I felt the content was more detailed and touched on a larger, more exciting range of subjects. After researching pathogens, I have a new found respect for them and I would very much like to research these unique and peculiar phenomena further. I also love the way in which Maths describes biological principles, be it the golden ratio, or the way the pattern of spots on a cow’s back is explained by chaos theory, which is why I am also studying Maths to A Level.

Over two years I have volunteered on research projects in both America and South Africa. In America I was involved in a project conducted by Dr Hal Avery of Drexel University researching the effects of anthropogenic change on terrapins. It was interesting to see how real scientists organise the rigorous research that ultimately leads them to a conclusion. I have never felt so at home participating in the arduous research conducted. During my time there I used specialist equipment to sample water and collect DNA from blood samples using a centrifuge. In South Africa I volunteered on a conservation project at Kwantu game reserve. This project was more a test of team work and determination; in each of these once in a lifetime experiences I have felt completely in my element working as part of a team of people whom I had never previously met and I have been shown a more hands on approach to science.

Contributing to the momentous task of assembling and finding new pieces to the jigsaw puzzle would be an honour, a privilege and a proud way of life.

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