Part IA

Ideal for both biologists and non-biologists, this course provides a solid foundation for further studies in biology, biochemistry, and genetics.

Learn about cell membranes, metabolism, nucleic acids, protein synthesis, and the cell cycle. Discover how cells communicate and develop in plants and animals. With hands-on experiments aligned with lectures, this course offers an engaging, practical introduction to the building blocks of life, perfect for beginners or those looking to deepen their understanding of biology’s core principles.

This course reveals how molecular structure influences chemical properties and reactivity - core knowledge for anyone passionate about molecular science. You'll study spectroscopy to uncover molecular shapes, explore modern bonding theories, and learn to predict chemical behaviour through reaction mechanisms and equilibrium concepts.

Hands-on practical classes bring the theory to life, offering experience with real-world chemical techniques and quantitative analysis. Whether you're interested in biochemistry, materials science, or beyond, this course lays a strong foundation in the principles of chemistry.

This course is your gateway to understanding the dynamic forces that shape our planet—and others. You'll explore Earth's interior, oceans, and atmosphere, and learn how to track geological and environmental changes using tools from biology, chemistry, and physics. You'll also touch on the economic importance of Earth’s resources.

Through hands-on practicals and fieldwork, you'll identify rocks, interpret geological maps, and use fossils and sediments to uncover Earth’s history. No prior geology experience is needed—just a curiosity about the natural world and a background in science.

Whether you're fascinated by Earth’s past or curious about planetary science, this course offers the perfect foundation for further study in geology and environmental science.

Discover the wonders of Evolutionary Biology in this engaging course led by experts from multiple departments. Uncover the origins of life, the evolution of plants, animals, primates, and humans, and explore how natural selection drives biological change and behaviour. Dive into key topics like the origin of cells, biodiversity, conservation, and the effects of global change.

Interactive lectures and hands-on practicals bring concepts to life, while optional field courses offer the chance to study species in their natural habitats. Whether you're a biologist or a physical scientist, this course provides a solid foundation for further study and a deeper appreciation of life’s complexity and interconnectedness. Join us and experience the excitement of evolutionary science in action!

The course explores the core principles of human behaviour, cognitive processes, and the neuroscientific underpinnings of the mind. You will learn about the history and methods of experimental psychology, delve into the structure and function of the brain, and study key areas such as sensation, perception, learning, memory, language and emotion. Through practical classes, students will gain direct experience of experimental methods and cognitive phenomena and understand conceptual and ethical practices in research.

This course is borrowed from the Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos, meaning you’ll study alongside a different cohort of students. 

This course introduces you to the world of materials science, where atomic structure meets real-world function. You'll learn how materials like biomaterials, liquid crystals, and aerospace alloys work—and even get hands-on with activities like fuel-cell construction and nanoscale analysis and uncover the science behind liquid-crystal displays, biomaterials, and the resilience of aeroplanes.

With a mix of lectures, practicals and enhanced by web-based learning, you’ll build a strong foundation in how materials behave and why. It’s the perfect starting point for future studies in Materials Science, Physics, or Chemistry—and for anyone curious about the science driving today’s technology.

This course provides a solid foundation in physics, ideal for students continuing in the subject or pursuing related fields like chemistry, materials science, or earth sciences and those with a strong background in physics and mathematics. It bridges the gap between school and university-level physics, reinforcing classical topics while introducing exciting new areas such as special relativity and quantum physics.

You’ll explore core concepts including mechanics, oscillations, waves, and fields, all within a analytical and mathematical framework. The course encourages you to think critically and develop models that explain how the universe works—from everyday phenomena to the extremes of black holes.

Practical work is an essential part of the course, helping you develop experimental and data analysis skills. These sessions are designed to complement the lectures and deepen your understanding through hands-on experience.

Begin your journey into how living organisms function—from molecules to whole-body behavior. This course explores neuroscience, heart and muscle physiology, human health, crop science, and how organ systems adapt across species like mammals, fish, and insects. You'll study metabolism, exercise, plant physiology, and microbial interactions, while examining how plants grow, respond to viruses, and manage resources.

Discover the importance of body size and scaling, and compare sensory systems like vision, hearing, and smell. Hands-on practicals bring learning to life: record action potentials, monitor your heart, and measure sweat on a bike ergometer. In plant labs, explore gas exchange and enzyme regulation. This integrated course builds a strong foundation for neurobiology, physiology, pharmacology, and plant sciences.

Mathematics is a fundamental foundation for studying science. This Mathematics course is designed to underpin the mathematical techniques used in the physical sciences.

This course is available in two version, with both covering crucial mathematical techniques for physical sciences, including vector calculus, matrices, complex numbers, differential equations, probability theory, and computing techniques.

Course A provides a solid foundation in mathematical methods, essential for all physical science courses in Part IB of the Natural Sciences Tripos, such as Mathematics, Physics and Advanced Physics.

Course B is tailored for those who find mathematics particularly rewarding, moving at a faster pace and including additional material. It's perfect for students with a strong understanding of Further Mathematics.

Despite the different paces, both courses lead to the same examination and qualification, offering a versatile mathematical framework applicable across a multitude of natural science disciplines.

This first-year Natural Sciences mathematics course is tailored for biologists. The course equips you with essential skills in mathematical modelling, probability, statistics, and simple computer programming, all from an integrated biological perspective. You'll delve into the growth and decline of populations, ecological and epidemiological modelling, and master techniques such as ordinary differential equations, local stability analysis, coupled differential equations, hypothesis testing, regression, matrix algebra, basic probability, and probability distributions. Computational practical classes will enhance your learning experience providing hands-on opportunities to apply these concepts. Whether you're passionate about biology or mathematics, this course offers an exciting chance to uncover the intricate patterns and behaviours of living systems through a mathematical lens.