- Intake: 26
- Typical Offers: A*A*A
- Essential Subjects: Mathematics and at least one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology
- Desirable Subjects: Any further science subjects/or Further Maths
- Faculty website: www.cam.ac.uk/natscitripos
Tripos
Information about Natural Sciences Tripos (NST) can be found on the University websites: http://www.cam.ac.uk/about/natscitripos/ and http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/natsci/
In addition, webpages of the individual Departments have information about courses that they teach. It is important to understand that, although the NST presents an integrated approach to study natural sciences, each individual course is taught and examined by the respective Department or group of Departments.
The course is divided into Part I and Part II, and in many cases there is an optional Part III. The ability to read several subjects in Part I distinguishes NST from the single-subject courses offered by most other Universities. NST is especially suited for those who wish to explore a broad range of science in the early years at University level (which is very different from school) before making their final choice of a preferred subject in which to specialise. But those who feel they know where they are heading at the outset benefit no less from the breadth of subjects on offer in Part I NST: modern science is increasingly and inevitably multi-disciplinary, and gaining some basic knowledge in a few “minor subjects” in addition to your preferred one is always a plus.
Part I takes two years, with Part II and Part III a further year each. In the first year (designated as Part IA) students have to choose a Mathematics course and three Science courses from a large selection. In the second year (Part IB) students take three courses. The spread is up to you: for example, it could be Physics A, Physics B and Materials Science at one end of the spectrum, or Pharmacology, Neurobiology and Experimental Psychology at another. The first selection will lead you into Part II Physics, Astrophysics, or Material Science (each then offering the possibility of MSc degree in Part III), while the second allows you to choose Part II in Pharmacology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Psychology or History & Philosophy of Science.
We broadly divide Natural Sciences into Physical and Biological (although there is a lot happening at the interface) and, accordingly, there are two separate Directors of Studies for these two streams. However, we do not like to pigeon-hole students as one or the other. Many students take a combination of physical and biological subjects in Part I, which we actively encourage, and so naturally have a foothold in both camps.
Natural Science at Queens’
Queens' College has a very strong Natural Science community, with many teaching Fellows covering almost all angles of the Physical and Biological sciences (see below), and several Research Fellows, Post-Doctoral Associates and PhD students who also contribute to teaching and an overall atmosphere of shared interest and enthusiasm for science. We take about 30 students to read NST every year, so the group acts as a community in its own right. The student-run Milner Society unites this community and offers a range of both social and academic activities.
The Natural Sciences Admission Assessment (NSAA) is a University-wide programme that contributes towards admissions decisions. The NSAA is run early in the Autumn (details, including specimen papers, can be found at: http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/natural-sciences#entry-requirements).
Candidates meeting the initial qualification criteria are invited for interview in December. During this visit they will be interviewed by at least two Fellows of the College in Natural Sciences, in two interviews. Candidates are also required to take a pre-interview assessment. More information can be found here http://www.cam.ac.uk/assessments.
Queens’ Natural Science Fellows
Prof Eugene Terentjev, Director of Studies (Physical)
Polymer and Biological Physics
Dr Gillian Fraser, Director of Studies (Biological)
Cell Biology and Microbiology
Dr Howard Jones, Assistant Director of Studies
Chemistry
Dr Richard Jennings, Assistant Director of Studies
History & Philosophy of Science
Prof Rod Jones, College Lecturer
Atmospheric Chemistry
Dr Ana Rossi, College Lecturer
Biochemistry and Pharmacology
Dr Marie Edmonds, College Lecturer
Earth Sciences: Petrology
Dr Howard Stone, College Lecturer
Materials Science and Metallurgy
Dr Anthony Challinor, Bye-Fellow
Cosmology and Astrophysics
Dr David Parker, College Lecturer
Physiology
Dr Edwige Moyroud, College Lecturer
Plant Sciences and Cell & Developmental Biology
Prof James Jackson, College Lecturer
Geophysics, Geodynamics and Tectonics
Prof Beverley Glover, College Lecturer
Evolutionary Biology
Prof Lisa Hall, Professorial Fellow
Analytical Biotechnology
Prof Anthony Lasenby, Professorial Fellow
Cosmology and Astrophysics
