Everything Natural Science Cambridge

[natscihelp]

DD is interested in Natura Science probably. She loves all sciences - probably a slight leaning towards physics. Absolutely loves it and is positively energised by it. She is in Year 12 currently and her school has a reputation of giving advice very late in the process. First time going through this so would welcome any advice and top tips from those whose DC have been successful in gaining a place. Would love to know about tips and advice for application process, test, interview as well as once you are there how has the course been? Also this is a very specific degree but where else do you apply to fill the other 4 places for UCAS form whilst getting one PS to suit all?

malbecfan DD also thinks materials is great and has discovered a real interest in earth science. Who would have thought that climbing around Arran for a week in pouring rain could be such fun but it was - apparently. As you say, how could you know that you would be interested in all things earth until you study it!

Saw your comment re further maths. Would suggest you pick a random college and call the admissions tutor and ask their advice. They are very helpful and it led my daughter to change her a levels to increase her chances (she wasn’t doing chemistry). My sense is that further maths is essential and biology much less so.

I think working might be right on that one. It's worth a prompt phone call I think.

www.natsci.tripos.cam.ac.uk/prospective-students/admissions

looks like it would be ok though?

FM is definitely not essential at all Cambridge colleges. DD is doing phys natsci and did physics chemistry and maths. She did check it out though and it did seem to rule out some colleges.

Having said that, maths is a compulsory module for all first year phys natscis so I suppose if you really don’t want to do anymore maths then Cambridge is probably not a good choice. They definitely like strong maths skills.

If you don't want to do more maths, then you shouldn't study physical sciences. All universities will have include maths modules in their physical sciences courses. Cambridge physics isn't particularly more maths oriented than other top physics courses.

Thank al - she likes maths but didn't want to drop biology and I am not keen on her doing 5 alevels. 4.5 a levels are squeezed into the same timetable of 4 subjects. Hence the dilemma. Lots for us to think about though. Thank you

DS2 had the same dilemma.
In the end he chose Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry A-levels, and continues to study and read about Biology in his own time.

Just spoken to DD. She did Physics in year 1 but has dropped it in year 2 but she still has to do some Maths, at least in this term. She was talking about quantum mechanics - it might as well have been Japanese because I have no clue about it!

I think FM is good if you can squeeze it in, but there are apparently 3 different Maths courses in year 1. DD avoided "Maths for Biologists" because she had either Maths or FM A level, sorry I can't remember which and she's out now. One other course was for those who had taken STEP. She did the middle one and coped with it ok.

You might find this student room thread reassuring re a levels :)
www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5506228

The FM question partly depends on your target college and partly on your school. My DD was coming from a school which routinely offered FM and so she essentially had to have it - if you are at a school which doesn’t offer it you can do without.

And the website OYBBK posted tells you the minimum but you have to speak to the colleges to unpick it - it also says you don’t require chemistry as well as double maths and physics but the college DD spoke to said they hadn’t offered a place to anyone without it in 20 years! So do make that call.

That sounds like perfect advice.

DDs school had the vast majority taking FM, she didn’t and it didn’t count against her at her her particular college. I suppose they have done the entrance paper in maths and if that’s good enough a maths interview as well so the college have quite an insight into their ability by that stage.

It’s not just a question of whether FM is needed to get an offer. Your DC may well be at a disadvantage doing the course if they haven’t done FM.