Natural Science

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.

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 year.

The breadth of the course reflects the blurring of boundaries between the different sciences and before committing yourself to one department you study a variety of subjects, some of which may be new to you. This means you can change your mind about which subject to specialise in.

Flexibility and choice

The flexibility of the course makes it possible to take purely biological sciences, purely physical sciences or a combination of both, according to your interests.

You choose your subjects at the start of the first term in discussion with your Director of Studies but you should indicate in your Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) whether your interests lie broadly in biological or physical sciences. The choice isn't absolute, and many students change direction before they start or as they progress.

In Year 1 (Part IA), you study three experimental science subjects (from a choice of eight, see above), plus one mathematics subject (Mathematics or Mathematical Biology), chosen at the start of the first term.

Many students discover a passion for the new subjects that they start in the first year, such as Earth Sciences or Materials Science, and continue with these in subsequent years.

In Year 2 (Part IB), you choose three subjects from 19 options available. Some build directly on Part IA subjects and some introduce what are essentially new areas.

Most students pursue a single advanced subject in Year 3 (Part II), concentrating on specific areas and undertaking a research project or dissertation in that field. Alternatively, in Year 3 you can take the broader Biological and Biomedical Sciences option or the Physical Sciences option.

Some Part II options have a competitive entry due to restrictions on laboratory space, meaning you’re not guaranteed your Part II subject choice. However, around 80% of students are typically able to study their first choice of subject.

Specialising in Part II is appropriate for continuation to a fourth year (Part III, offered in some subjects) and progression to Part III is dependent on a satisfactory level of performance. Successful completion of Part III leads to an MSci degree.

Biological Sciences options

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:

• 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 mathematics paper; usually Mathematical Biology.

In the second year (Part IB), 10 biological subjects are offered. Some of these develop topics covered in Part IA and others introduce new material. The flexibility of the course again means it's possible to take purely biological sciences or to combine biological sciences with, for example, organic chemistry (Chemistry B), Earth Sciences A or History and Philosophy of Science.

Most students focus on a single subject in their third year (Part II), concentrating on specific areas of the discipline and undertaking a research project or dissertation. Alternatively, you can take the broader Biological and Biomedical Sciences option.

It's possible to take a Part III in Biochemistry, History and Philosophy of Science or Systems Biology, leading to an MSci degree.

Physical Sciences options

In the first year (Part IA), those more interested in the physical sciences might choose:

• purely physical – three from Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Materials Science or Physics
• physical/biological – combining two physical subjects and a biological option
• two physical sciences with Computer Science

A Level (or equivalent) Mathematics and the Part IA Mathematics option of the NST are essential for some physical sciences subjects.

In the second year (Part IB), eight physical science subjects are offered. Students who think of themselves as physicists usually choose Physics A and B, plus 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 their third year (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, Earth Sciences, History and Philosophy of Science, Materials Science, Physics or Systems Biology, leading to an MSci degree.

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 encounter new ways of learning and studying.

Each subject approaches teaching in different ways but a combination of lectures, practical classes (where relevant), 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.

For each option in Years 1 and 2 (Parts IA and IB), you can typically expect to have three hours of lectures, some practical work and one supervision each week.

Assessment varies depending on the option taken but always includes written examinations. There may also be practical examinations or continuous assessment of practical work.

In Parts II and III, lecturers are actively researching the topics being covered and many are world leaders in their field. Practical work is open-ended, and most students carry out a significant research project which is assessed as part of the final examination.

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.

Students who don’t have A Level Mathematics are required to complete 20-40 hours of preparatory work before the start of the course (see Mathematical Biology – the compulsory Year 1 mathematics subject for students without A Level Mathematics – for more information).

Additional course costs

Year 1

• Required: a University approved scientific calculator - Estimated cost £17
• Required: a lab coat - Estimated cost £10
• Required – some options: safety glasses - Estimated cost £3
• Required – Part IA Earth Sciences: field course - Estimated cost £85
• Optional: textbooks (available in libraries), specialist equipment (can be borrowed)
• Optional – Part IA Evolution and Behaviour: field course - Estimated cost £50 + travel

Years 2, 3 and 4

• Required and optional additional costs are dependent on the options taken

Information about additional costs is available on the Natural Sciences website. Refer to the individual Departments’ websites for further details.

Accreditation

Some routes through the course are accredited by a professional body including, for example, the Institute of Physics and the Royal Society of Chemistry. An appropriate combination of subjects and Part II papers is required in each case.

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, infection and immunology, biotechnology, environmental management or nanotechnology. Natural Sciences prepares you well for the challenges of research, especially in emerging interdisciplinary areas.

Natural Sciences students develop a range of skills that are highly valued by employers and they go into a wide range of careers, for example, recent graduates include a maths teacher, a product development scientist, an investment banking analyst, and a management consultant.

Year 1 (Part IA)

Broadening your horizons, exploring new subjects, confirming your choices

In your first year, you study three experimental sciences (from eight, plus one mathematics option (from two).

You choose your Part IA subjects at the start of the first term in discussion with your Director of Studies, but you should indicate in your Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) whether your interests lie broadly in biological or physical sciences. The choice isn’t absolute, and many students change direction before they start or as they progress.

For each option, you usually have three hours of lectures, some practical work and one supervision per week. Assessment varies depending on the option taken but always includes written examinations. There may also be practical examinations or continuous assessment of practical work.

Further information about the options, and the various teaching and assessment methods can be found on the Natural Sciences website.

• Biology of Cells
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Sciences
• Evolution and Behaviour
• Materials Science
• Physics
• Physiology of Organisms
• Mathematics
• Mathematical Biology

Year 2 (Part IB)

Follow up previous studies, explore new areas and begin to specialise, but flexibility is still key

In the second year (Part IB), you choose three of 19 subjects (see below). Some build directly on Part IA subjects and some introduce what are essentially new areas.

In deciding on a combination of options to study in Part IB, most students choose subjects that complement and reinforce one another, and which lead on to at least a couple of possible options in their third year.

For most subjects you can typically expect to have three lectures, some practical work and a supervision each week.

Further information about the options, and the various teaching and assessment methods can be found on the Natural Sciences website.

Please note that for timetabling reasons not all combinations are possible.

• Animal Biology
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Chemistry A
• Chemistry B
• Earth Sciences A
• Earth Sciences B
• Ecology
• Experimental Psychology
• History and Philosophy of Science
• Materials Science
• Mathematics
• Neurobiology
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Physics A
• Physics B
• Physiology
• Plant and Microbial Sciences

Years 3 and 4 (Parts II and III)

Your choice of a broad curriculum or degree course specialisms

In Part II, students can retain a broad study of science, though most pursue a single subject to a depth matching that of single science degrees elsewhere.

Specialising in Part II is appropriate if you wish to continue to a fourth year (Part III) and progression to Part III is dependent on a satisfactory level of performance.

At these levels you study to the edge of what's known. In Part I much of the material covered can be found in textbooks. From Part II you read research papers with less well-established facts and theories, requiring you to weigh up the evidence.

Lectures in Parts II and III are given by staff actively researching the topics being covered, many of whom are world leaders in their field, and by expert guest speakers.

You also gain considerable research experience in our extremely well-equipped laboratories, using state-of-the-art technology. Practical work is exploratory and open-ended, and most students carry out a significant research project which is assessed as part of the final examination.

Further information about the options, and the various teaching and assessment methods can be found on the Natural Sciences website.

Please note that some options have a competitive entry (based on performance in the second year) due to restrictions on laboratory space. This means that you're not guaranteed your Part II subject choice. However, around 80% of students are typically able to study their first choice of subject.

Choose to study a broad curriculum:

• Biological and Biomedical Sciences
• Physical Sciences

Or pursue a specialism:

• Astrophysics1
• Biochemistry1
• Chemistry1
• Earth Sciences1
• Genetics
• History and Philosophy of Science1
• Materials Science1
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Physics1
• Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
• Plant Sciences
• Psychology
• Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour
• Systems Biology (Part III only)
• Zoology

1 These subjects offer a fourth year/Part III option, leading to an MSci degree.

• All applicants to the University of Cambridge must submit an application to UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) by the relevant deadline.
• The Attestat o (polnom) Srednem Obshchem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) is not considered to be suitable preparation for a competitive application to the University of Cambridge. We strongly recommend that you undertake further study if you wish to apply for an undergraduate degree. Examples of the qualifications that would be considered suitable for admission to Cambridge are A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IB), five or more Advanced Placement (AP) courses, or possibly the first year of an undergraduate degree at a university outside the UK. We recommend that you contact the College that you wish to apply to directly for further advice and guidance.
• IELTS – normally a minimum overall grade of 7.5, usually with 7.0 or above in each element.
• Cambridge English: Advanced – grade A or B.
• Cambridge English: Proficiency – grade A, B or C.

Course requirements

Please note that in the following 'science/mathematics subjects' refers to Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. It does not include Psychology.

• Required by all Colleges: A Levels/IB Higher Levels in at least two science/mathematics, see also the Part IA paper descriptions for specific subject requirements for the Year 1 options
• Required by some Colleges: AS or A Level/IB Standard or Higher Level in a third science/mathematics subject and/or particular subjects (see individual College websites for details)

If you don’t have A Level Mathematics, you’re required to complete some preparatory work before the start of the course and must take Mathematical Biology as your mathematics subject in Year 1.

All undergraduate admissions decisions are the responsibility of the Cambridge Colleges so check College websites for College-specific requirements. See also Entrance requirements and  The Subject Matters for additional advice about general requirements for entry, qualifications and offers.

A Levels

Most students have at least three science/mathematics A Levels. The minimum requirement is two, but this will restrict your choice of Part IA options. In these circumstances, you'll normally be expected to achieve A* in both of the science/mathematics subjects and encouraged to take an additional science/mathematics AS Level. The more useful combinations are:

• A Level Biology, A Level Chemistry, and AS Level Mathematics or Physics
• A Level Chemistry, A Level Mathematics, and AS Level Biology or Physics
• A Level Physics, A Level Mathematics and AS Level Further Mathematics

See also the Part IA paper descriptions for specific subject requirements for each Year 1 option.

International Baccalaureate

The advice above about A Level subject combinations also applies to the IB. For these purposes:

• Standard Level subjects will satisfy AS Level subject requirements
• Higher Level subjects will satisfy A Level subject requirements

Other examination systems

We expect applicants taking other recognised qualifications to have a level of understanding in science and mathematics roughly equivalent to those applying with A Levels.

Refer to our main Entrance requirements pages and consult a College Admissions Tutor for further advice.

Admission assessment

All applicants are required to take the pre-interview written assessment for Natural Sciences at an authorised centre local to them (for a lot of applicants, this will be their school/college).

Assessment format

• Section 1: Maths and Science MCQs (80 minutes)
• Section 2: Science-specific longer questions (40 minutes)

 Natural Sciences Admissions Assessment Specification 2017

You must be registered in advance (separately to your UCAS application) to take the assessment – the registration deadline is 15 October 2017. Your assessment centre must register you for the pre-interview assessment; you’re not able to register yourself. See the written assessments page for information about assessment centres and registration.

The pre-interview written assessment for Natural Sciences will be taken on 2 November 2017. Please check the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing website for scheduled start times.

Please note that your performance in the pre-interview assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.

In addition to the pre-interview assessment, applicants who are invited to interview are required to take a College-set written assessment at interview at the following Colleges (see individual College websites for details):

• Magdalene
• St John's
• Trinity

Mature students (aged 21 or over) applying to one of the mature Colleges should refer to the relevant information about pre-interview assessments on the written assessments page.

• Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust

Your living expenses may be higher than for a Home student (eg if you stay in Cambridge/the UK during vacations). The minimum resources needed in Cambridge for the year (excluding tuition and College fees) are estimated to be approximately £10,080 in 2017-18 and £10,310 in 2018-19, depending on lifestyle (you should allow for increases in future years).