Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences is the framework within which most science subjects are taught at Cambridge.

Natural Sciences can be broadly divided into Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences, with Chemistry sitting at the interface between both areas. Many students study a combination of both Physical and Biological subjects.

The Natural Science course is ideally suited for those with a keen and wide-ranging interest in the Sciences or those who have not yet discovered their preferred discipline. It is broad-based, providing the opportunity for students to study three practical sciences in their first year (Part IA), plus an appropriate Maths course. There is considerable flexibility in the choices available through the Natural Science Tripos, and this is one of its many attractions.

The necessity to pursue three practical sciences means that students often find that their interest becomes focused on a new subject which they have not met previously, e.g. Earth Sciences (such as Geology), Materials and Minerals Sciences, or Cellular Biology. Some subjects such as Physics and Chemistry assume prior knowledge of the subject at A-level, but most of the Biological subjects require only a firm grounding in Science.

In the second year (Part IB), students have the opportunity to read other science disciplines or continue to study a subject in more detail. In the third year (Part II), most students choose to study a single subject, although it is possible to continue to study a broad range of subjects (Part II General). Alternatively, it is possible for students in their second, third, or fourth year to study the History and Philosophy of Science (HPS).

Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Astrophysics, Materials, Biochemistry, Systems Biology and HPS offer a fourth year (Part III) leading to a Masters degree. This fourth year is usually in a research-orientated environment, providing students with the opportunity to undertake an original research project at the cutting-edge of their chosen subject. Full details are available on the web.

Further details of the course are available on the Natural Sciences Tripos website.

In terms of future careers, many of our science graduates stay in science. Some begin a research career, continuing their studies for a higher degree qualification (usually a Ph.D.) either in Cambridge or another University in the UK or abroad. Others may be offered employment with one of the many companies in the Life Sciences, Pharmaceuticals giants, Energy sector, or other Science-Related industries. A few take the PGCE course and enter the teaching profession. In all cases good time-management coupled with a strong scientific background, make a Natural Scientist from Cambridge a highly valuable commodity.

We normally make between 16 and 20 offers for Natural Sciences each year at Magdalene, and typically receive between 50 and 70 applications in any given admissions round. These are normally split fairly evenly between the Physical and Biological Natural Sciences. We typically have had a large cohort of undergraduate Natural Scientists, often around 60 or 70, and there is a large graduate community, often around 30 or 40, who are reading for higher science degrees (usually a PhD).

In addition to the core teaching staff (listed under the 'Teaching Staff' tab, above), there are many other active Fellows at Magdalene in the Natural Sciences. They include the Nobel Prize winner and former Master, Professor Sir John Gurdon FRS (Cell Biology); Professor Peter Grubb (Plant Sciences); and Professor Tim Clutton-Brock FRS (Zoology), as well as Research Fellow: Dr Claire Spottiswoode (Behavioural Ecology), and science broadcaster and Outreach Fellow, Dr Hannah Critchlow (Neuroscience).

The Natural Sciences are not for the faint-hearted! We expect a great deal out of our Natural Scientists. In the first year, there are three 1 hour lectures per week, in each of the Sciences plus Maths. In addition each student can expect to have one 1 hour supervision in each subject. All science subjects include a practical class, usually one afternoon per week, and so students should expect a minimum of 28 hours of timetabled activities per week, including Saturday mornings. Students should also put aside time (typically 3-5 hours per subject per week) for understanding and learning lecture material, problem solving and the preparation of work for supervisions, giving a total of around 40-50 hours per week. This still leaves some room for extra-curricular activities and to study beyond the confines of the syllabus, but good time-management is essential! In subsequent years, students can expect slightly fewer lectures, but more practical work, and a similar number of minimum hours will need to be devoted to study.

For most subjects, practical classes are all held within term time, but for Geology, expect a field trip in the vacation for 'hands-on' experience of analysing rock types, examining rock-formations etc. For those continuing with the Geological Sciences in the second and third year, there are additional field trips. Similarly, Evolution and Behaviour, Ecology and Zoology field trips are organised for those taking the relevant options.

Biological Natural Sciences

Are you enthralled by the natural world? Do you crave to know how the many millions of molecules within a living cell are coordinated? Do you seek to understand how best to protect fragile ecosystems? Are you fascinated by the complex machinery of the human body?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is ‘yes’, you may well be a good fit for Biological Natural Sciences at Magdalene.

A strong background in Science and Maths is necessary to take the Biological Natural Sciences course. Chemistry and Maths A-levels (or equivalent) are particularly advantageous, while prior achievement in Biology, Physics and/or Further Maths is very welcome. Strong candidates typically have three or four Science/Maths subjects at A-level (or equivalent), although we do not exclude applications from occasional candidates with more unusual combinations of subjects, providing at least two Science/Maths subjects have been studied.

Strong candidates typically also pursue their biological interests in some way outside of their formal studies. For example, you may read books or periodicals about aspects of science that particularly interest you, or you may have had the opportunity to undertake scientific work experience or an internship. Quantity of additional prior experience is not the most important factor, here, but the depth with which you have considered the science to which you have been exposed. We are looking for people who are always inclined to ask, ‘why’ – and who have the intellectual capacity to grasp and explore the answers with logic, pace and depth.

Physical Natural Sciences

The Physical Natural Sciences stem from an understanding of the fundamental laws of Physics and how they manifest themselves in the everyday world. This encompasses Earth Sciences, Chemistry, and Materials Science as well as just Physics!

There is a rich set of Mathematics which underpins the Physical Natural Sciences, and a strong background in this is necessary, with at least A-Level (or equivalent) required, and either AS or A-level Further Mathematics (or equivalent) greatly welcomed.

Strong candidates will typically have a total of three or four Science/Maths subjects at A-level (or equivalent), although we do not exclude applications from occasional candidates with more unusual combinations of subjects, providing at least two Science/Maths subjects have been studied, though this may limit the choices of options available in the first year.

The first year of Physical Natural Sciences allows you to continue with any of the Physics and Chemistry you have studied (alongside Mathematics), but also gives the option of new subjects such as Earth Sciences, and Materials Science, and even the option to study some Biology. In the second year you will take a reduced set of three subjects, and by the third year will generally specialize in a single subject. A fourth year (Part III) is available involving both lectures and an in-depth research project at the frontiers of scientific research.

The Natural Science Tripos is wide-ranging and most students accepted to read the Natural Sciences will normally have A-level/IB Higher Level Mathematics and A-levels/IB Higher Levels in two other science or mathematics subjects.

Our minimum conditional offer level is A*A*A in A-levels, or 42 in the IB with 7,7,6 in maths and science subjects at Higher Level, however offers vary according to candidates' circumstances and choice of subjects.

Offers will not normally include STEP or AEA grades, but students are not discouraged from sitting these examinations.

IB applicants starting the new IB Mathematics syllabus are expected to take IB Higher Level 'Analysis and Approaches' for any course where Mathematics is a requirement. If this option is not available at your school, please contact the College for further advice and guidance.

Interviews and written assessment

Applicants for Natural Sciences can normally expect to have two interviews, each interview usually lasting approximately 20-25 minutes. One interview will typically be with a pair of interviewers, one of which will be a Chemistry Fellow and the other interview will typically be with a pair of interviewers, including a Physics or Biology Fellow, depending on your chosen specialisation.

Applicants will also need to take a written assessment. The assessment for Natural Sciences, the ESAT, is a pre-registration required assessment. This means that you will have to register to sit the assessment at an assessment centre near to you. Registration for the pre-registration required assessment is separate from your UCAS application and it is essential that you are registered by your centre before the deadline.

See the ESAT website and the University Undergraduate Admissions website for further information about registering for the assessment as well as for more details about the format of the assessment, including some sample questions. Please note that your performance in the written assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside all the other elements of your application.