Natural Sciences
 UCAS code BCF0 BA/NS |
| Duration Three years for the BA degree Four years for the BA degree and MSci (only available in some subjects) |
| Entry requirements Typical A Level offer A*AA Typical IB offer 40–42 points, with 776 or 777 at Higher Level Essential: at least two science/mathematics A Levels/IB Higher Level (see course requirements and Part IA paper descriptions) Highly desirable: a third science/mathematics subject to at least AS Level/IB Standard Level. Admissions tests Some Colleges may require STEP Mathematics and some Colleges require applicants to take the TSA at interview. |
| Colleges Available at all Colleges |
| Applications per place 2010 entry 4 |
| Open days 2011 Attend a College open day or one of the Cambridge Open Days on 7 or 8 July. |
| Further information Email natsci@admin.cam.ac.uk |
| Website www.cam.ac.uk/natscitripos/ |
Natural Sciences on the Applicant Toolkit: |
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If you are interested in studying Natural Sciences, consider applying for a Sutton Trust Summer School or a Subject Masterclass. |
Natural Sciences (NST) is the framework within which most science ‘subjects’ are taught at Cambridge. If you want to study any of the biological and physical sciences, this is the course for you.
- Explore familiar subjects, experience new ones
- Learning and assessment
- Preparatory Reading
- Biological Science Options
- Physical Science Options
- Changing Course
- After Natural Sciences?
Explore familiar subjects, experience new ones
Natural Sciences (NST) offers a wide range of physical and biological science subjects from 16 departments in a unique and demanding course. A broad first year is combined with increasing specialisation in the second year, and the possibility of total specialisation in the third and, in some disciplines, fourth years.
| "I chose the Natural Sciences course because of its breadth. When I was applying I wasn’t quite sure which area of science I wanted to dedicate my time and energy to. The Natsci course meant I could delay my decision for another year! Midway through my second year I found that without conscious thought, the course had channelled my interests to a specific job and given me ideas for work experience." – Steph |
The breadth of the course reflects the blurring of boundaries between the different sciences and before committing yourself to one department for your third (and maybe fourth) year, you study a variety of subjects, some of which may be new to you. This is a huge advantage because it means you can change your mind about which subject to specialise in, and is extremely valuable in alerting you to the important issues in other branches of science.
Visit the departments' websites for in–depth subject information and details about current research. All of these sites can be accessed from the Natural Sciences website.
Learning and assessment
The course is both intensive and challenging, but the excellent learning environment enables you to rise to this challenge. Your timetable is full and structured and you'll encounter new ways of learning and studying. Each subject approaches teaching in different ways but a combination of lectures, practical classes, example classes, supervisions and seminars provides core subject knowledge and develops your transferable skills. Support from supervisors and your Director of Studies helps you to develop the most suitable way of working for you.
Depending on the subject and level, you're assessed by a mixture of written papers, practical examinations, project reports, essays, dissertations, and records of practical work.
Preparatory reading
No preparatory reading is required for the course but a list of interesting and informative books for prospective students is available on the Natural Sciences website.
The Biological Sciences options
Flexibility and diversity
If you're interested in biological sciences, three of the first year (Part IA) options cover biological subjects:: Biology of Cells; Evolution and Behaviour; and Physiology of Organisms. Therefore, possible biological sciences combinations include, for example:
- purely biological – all three biology options
- biochemical/pharmacological – combining biology options and Chemistry
- ecological/evolutionary – combining biology options and Earth Sciences
- physical – combining Chemistry, Physics and Biology of Cells
You also take a paper in mathematics; biological scientists usually take Mathematical Biology or Elementary Mathematics for Biologists.
In Part IB biological subjects are offered. Some of these develop topics covered in Part IA and others introduce new material. The flexibility of the course makes it possible to take purely biological sciences, or to combine biological sciences with, for example, organic chemistry (Chemistry B), Geological Sciences A or History and Philosophy of Science.
Most students focus on a single advanced subject in their third year (Part II), concentrating on specific areas and undertaking a research project or dissertation. Alternatively, you can take the broader Biological and Biomedical Sciences option. Some options have a competitive entry and restrictions of laboratory space mean you're not guaranteed your Part II subject choice. However, over 80 per cent of students are typically able to study their first choice of subject.
It's possible to take a Part III in Biochemistry, History and Philosophy of Science or Systems Biology, leading to an MSci degree.
The Physical Sciences options
In the first year (Part IA), those more interested in the physical sciences might choose:
- purely physical – three from Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences or Materials Science
- physical/biological – combining two physical subjects and a biological option
- two physical sciences with Computer Science
A Level (or equivalent) Mathematics and the Part 1A Mathematics option of the NTS are essential for some physical sciences subjects.
In Part IB, eight physical science subjects are offered. Students who think of themselves as physicists usually choose Physics A and B, plus either another science or Mathematics. Potential chemists generally take Chemistry A and B with a further physical or biological subject, or even Experimental Psychology or History and Philosophy of Science.
Many physical scientists discover a real enthusiasm for the new subjects that they start in the first year, such as Earth Sciences, Materials Science or a biological subject, and continue with these in subsequent years.
Most students focus on a single subject in Part II and concentrate on specific areas of the discipline. Alternatively, you can take the broader Physical Sciences option.
It's possible to take a Part III in Astrophysics, Chemistry, Geological Sciences, History and Philosophy of Science, Materials Science, Physics or Systems Biology, leading to an MSci degree.
Changing Course
In the first year, a number of students take Computer Science or Mathematics with Physics and then change to Natural Sciences to continue with Physics from their second year. In contrast, some students take Part IA Natural Sciences and change to the Computer Science course or Chemical Engineering in their second year. It’s also possible (with your College's agreement) to take Part I Natural Sciences and then transfer to another subject such as Management Studies, or another arts or social science subject for Part II.
After Natural Sciences?
Almost half of our graduates continue with further study and research; either in Cambridge or at other universities, in the chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental management or nanotechnology. Natural Sciences prepares you well for the challenges of research, especially in emerging interdisciplinary areas.
Other graduates follow a wide range of careers, from banking or accountancy to law, and from consultancy to media–related work. Skills which Natural Sciences graduates develop are highly valued by employers.