Making a Competitive Application to Natural Sciences at Cambridge
Why Cambridge for sciences?
• One of the world’s premier universities for science
Isaac Newton Laws of Mechanics
Charles Darwin Evolution
Crick, Franklin, Watson Structure of DNA
Stephen Hawking Black Hole radiation
You - ???
• Our aim is to educate and encourage the next generation of leading scientists
STEM Courses at Cambridge
Natural Sciences
Engineering
Mathematics
Computer science
The Natural Sciences course
• Single point of entry for all (non medical) sciences. Jumping off point for Computer science and Chemical Engineering • Progression from fundamental enabling courses in the first year to specialisation in a single subject in the final year • A very wide range of options; you can study complementary or contrasting subjects
Why Natural Sciences?
1) You can try before you choose! A large jump between science at school/college and at university Your ideas and interests may change The subject may not be what you thought!
Why Natural Sciences?
2)
You can try new areas of science For example: • Biology (even if not taken at A level) • Earth Sciences (Geology) • History and Philosophy of Science • Materials Science • Psychology • Computer Science
Why Natural Sciences?
3) It is the way modern science is done Much of the most successful science takes place at the interfaces between subjects The old divisions are increasingly meaningless We need to be flexible and know about other areas
Year 1 (Part IA)
The course – first year You choose three subjects:
Chemistry
Biology of Cells Computer Science Evolution and Behaviour
Materials Science
Physiology of Organisms Physics Earth Sciences
…plus a suitable course in mathematics
Year 2 (Part IB)
The course – second year
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You take three out of 20 options
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Some subjects carry on from the first year, some are new e.g. History and Philosophy of Science, Psychology, Pathology
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Most people choose a set of complementary subjects
Chemistry A Chemistry B Geological Sciences A Geological Sciences B Materials Science Physics A Physics B History & Philosophy of Science Mathematics Animal Biology Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Cell & Developmental Biology Ecology Experimental Psychology Neurobiology Pathology Pharmacology Physiology Plant & Microbial Sciences
The course – third year
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Choose one subject out of 17
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Each subject has a large number of options, so in effect the choice is even greater
Four-year courses are mainly offered in the physical sciences
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Aimed at those intending to continue in research in these areas
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Graduate with a BA and an MSci
Astrophysics Chemistry Geological Sciences Materials Science Physics, Experimental & Theoretical History & Philosophy of Science Biochemistry Systems Biology
Teaching: Lectures
Larger lectures in first year
Define the content of the course (9–12 hours / week). In final year, often delivered by world experts.
Small lecture size in later years
Teaching: Practicals
• Science is experimental! • In 1st & 2nd years typically one afternoon per week per subject • Acquisition of skills to be used later in your own research
Teaching: Supervisions
• A unique learning experience • Tailored to your needs • Direct contact with world experts • In 1st and 2nd years, 1 hour / week / subject
Research Projects
• Usually a major feature of the 3rd and 4th year • You get to work in a research group on your own project, sometimes overseas. • For many, the highlight of the course • Opportunity to see if you might like to do a PhD
After Natural Sciences?
• Natural Sciences graduates have a wide range of opportunities open to them not just science based careers • About 50% stay in science (usually research) • Employers see the Natural Sciences course as a good training of the mind
After Natural Sciences? Natural Sciences graduates have a wide range of opportunities
Finance
Industrial Research
Patent Law
Media
We look for students who: www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate www.facebook.com/cambridgeadmissions
• Are independent learners • GCSE profile with mainly A/A* grades • A-level course requirements • Have an AS/A2 profile which usually includes: a) 4 AS subjects/3 A levels with good A grades in the most relevant subjects b) Prediction of at least A*A*A. IB 40-42 with 776 in HL
How do we make our decisions? Importance of multiple factors • GCSE; AS UMS grades • Predicted grades • Reference • Personal statement • Interview • Contextual Information • Pre-interview or at-interview Admissions Assessments
The personal statement • An introduction written by you and about you to Admissions Tutors
• A place to illustrate your: Ø Passion for your chosen subject Ø Wider academic interests Ø Achievements to date
Write a personal statement that…. • Explains your reasons for wanting to study your course • A starting point for interview discussion • Reflect rather than list (Less can be more) • Expresses any specific interests within the subject • Is focussed mainly on academic matters (~75%) • Outlines how you have pursued your interest for the subject in your own time (Wider reading, competition entries…)
Admissions assessments Admissions Assessments • Engineering, Natural Sciences will be pre-interview, sat in schools on Nov.2 • Computer Science will be an atinterview test, sat in Cambridge in December • Mathematics will use the STEP exam as before
Why do we interview? • How do applicants who look very similar on paper differ from one another? • Are the applicant’s aptitudes and interests suitable for the course to which they have applied? • Does the applicant have the potential to study their chosen subject at a high level, with the appropriate technical skills? • Can the applicant think independently, flexibly and critically and assimilate new ideas or apply existing concepts to challenging new questions? • Does the ‘supervision’ style of learning suit the applicant?
Interviews: what to expect SUBJECT-SPECIFIC INTERVIEW Discussion based on academic interests mentioned in personal statement
Challenging questions relating to Alevel courses
Assess knowledge and understanding of subject and flexibility of thought
Sciences: a specimen to discuss
Application of existing knowledge to new situations
Sciences: problems to work through
Sample teaching session – like a supervision
Interview tips At the interview, try to: §
Listen and take time to think
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Try to answer with clarity and focus
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Be willing to explain your thinking
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Concentrate on the current question
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Ask questions if you need to
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What matters is content not style
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Self-reflect
Online resources
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUwN6GI-0EQ
Finding out more
• Ask questions today • Contact one of the Colleges directly (email) • Look at the Undergraduate Prospectus • Browse the University website www.cam.ac.uk www.cam.ac.uk/natscitripos/
