Natural Sciences
The Natural Sciences course blurs the boundaries between the sciences, allowing you to explore your scientific interests before committing to a chosen specialist area. In the first year, you study maths and three sciences, ranging from subjects you might already know, such as Physics, Chemistry or Biology of Cells, to less familiar subjects such as Evolution and Behaviour, Materials or Earth Sciences. In the second year, you choose three subjects from over 20 available options, before specialising in one subject in the third year. Some subjects also have an optional fourth year, which usually includes a substantial research project. The 4-year course qualifies you for both the BA and MSci degrees. It is also possible to graduate after three years with only the BA degree. More details about the course can be found on the .
When you apply, we ask you to specify whether you are a Biological or Physical Natural Scientist. The choice does not necessarily restrict the subjects you can study on the course - rather it refers to what you feel your main scientific interests are when you apply. This is probably reflected in the subjects you are currently studying: Physical Natural Scientists are usually studying Physics, while Biological Natural Scientists are usually studying Biology. Chemistry lies somewhere between and is often studied by both. Another way to look at it is to consider which science subjects you might choose in your first year from the list . If you are not sure whether to select the Biological or Physical route, you are welcome to contact the Admissions Office for advice.
Meet our academics
Dr Houshang Ardavan
Emeritus Fellow in Maths
Dr Caroline Austin
President's Fellow
Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell
Honorary Fellow
Professor Bernie Bulkin
Fellow Emeritus
Dr Will Buttinger
Fellow in Physics
Dr Elizabeth Callery
Fellow in Developmental and Cell Biology; Finance Tutor
Dr Laura Cimoli
Bye Fellow in Physical Oceanography
Dr Tiarnan Doherty
Fellow in Physics
Dr Jennifer Gell
Bye Fellow in Physics
Dr Hatty Harris
Fellow Emerita in Cell Biology
Dr Leila Jahangiri
Bye Fellow in Biochemistry & Pathology
Dr Richard C Jennings
External Director of Studies in Natural Sciences
Dr Solon Karapanagiotis
Bye Fellow in Biostatistics
Professor Dame Julia King; Baroness Brown of Cambridge
Honorary Fellow
Dr Robert Less
Fellow in Chemistry
Professor Michael Meredith
Professorial Fellow in Oceanography
Professor Nick Mundy
Professorial Fellow in Zoology
Professor Hiranya V Peiris
Professorial Fellow in Astrophysics
Professor Alex Piotrowski
Professorial Fellow in Earth Sciences; Executive Postgraduate Tutor
Dr William Owen Saxton
Emeritus Fellow in Physics
Dr Rob Thompson
Fellow in Materials Science
Dr Aleksandra A Watson
Maplethorpe Fellow in Biochemistry
Professor John Whittaker
Professorial Fellow in Biostatistics
Dr David Willer
Fellow in Zoology
Professor Eric Winsberg
Professorial Fellow in History of Philosophy & Science
Dr Yiting (Amber) Wu
Postdoctoral Bye Fellow in Cell Biology