Mathematics in the first year

A level Mathematics is an essential entry requirement, and all students take one of the two Mathematics courses on offer.

Mathematics for Physical Sciences:

This course is generally for those following the physical sciences route and must be taken if a student takes Physics in the first year.

The subject matter of this course is drawn from mathematical techniques used in the physical sciences and includes lectures on vector calculus, vector algebra, matrices, complex numbers, ordinary and partial differential equations, elementary probability theory, and computing techniques.

There are two options within Mathematics.
Course A will be followed by most students and provides a thorough grounding in methods of mathematical science and contains everything prerequisite for all physical-science courses in the second year of the Natural Sciences Tripos.
Course B contains additional material for those students who find mathematics rewarding in its own right, and it proceeds at a significantly faster pace.

Mathematics for Biological Sciences

This course is generally for those following the biological sciences route and knowledge from this course will be expected by the other biological based subjects.

The course provides a broad base for further studies across all of biology and is designed to be the primary choice by our biology students. It also provides sufficient mathematical background for certain physical science subjects available in the second and third year, and students taking this course in the first year have successfully gone on to later studies in, for example, Chemistry and Earth Sciences (although in some cases additional study over the long vacation between first and second year is required).

Any student who is concerned about their mathematical background should discuss this with their Director of Studies before or soon after arriving in Cambridge.