1st year (Part IA)

Preparing for the first year : General Information 

The word "Tripos" is simply the way that Cambridge says "study course". The Natural Sciences Tripos prides itself on being one of the broadest courses of study available to undergraduates studying science. It is jointly run by sixteen Departments of the University and has an exceptionally flexible system allowing you to tailor your time at Cambridge towards the particular subjects you wish to study.

That doesn't mean that you cover them in any less depth - students will achieve the same standard and depth in their final year as graduates from narrower courses elsewhere. You get to learn a lot more besides! If it sounds like hard work, don't be put off. The Cambridge teaching system is very supportive - talk to a few students to find out more.

What subjects can I study?

In the first year, Part IA, of the Natural Sciences you read FOUR subjects from those listed below. You take THREE experimental subjects and one mathematical subject.

*This subject is borrowed from the Psychological and Behavioural Sciences Tripos. It cannot be taken with Chemistry and is restricted to 35 NST students.

Mathematics is usually taken by those taking mainly physical science subjects and if you are taking Physics, you must do this course.   It is run in two streams (A and B) which run simultaneously and cover the same core material. The A course covers less ground and has a lower level of mathematical sophistication than the B course. The B course proceeds more rapidly and at greater depth. In general, the B course may be more suited to you if you have taken double Mathematics at A-level or an equivalent qualification. Both streams include a module on Scientific Computing.

Mathematical Biology is designed to be especially relevant for those studying mainly biological subjects in the first year and beyond. 

Your College Director of Studies will advise you as to which Maths course to opt for.

Each of these subjects have their own course website.

Induction

We invite all NST students to attend our NST induction events on Wednesday 9th October.
The sessions below are split between Biological and Physical sciences. Although both sessions are the same they are given by lecturers from each School of science.

Biological Sciences - please attend if you are taking two or more Biological Science subjects

• 2-3pm - NST Course Introduction by Dr Sandra Fulton in the BMS Lecture Theatre in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry.
• 3-4 pm - NST Library Introduction by the Biological Sciences Library team in the Anatomy Lecture Theatre in the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN).

Physical Sciences - please attend if you are taking two or more Physical Science subjects

• 3-4pm - NST Course Introduction by Prof Jess Gwynne in the BMS Lecture Theatre in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry.
• 4-5pm - NST Library Introduction by the Physical Sciences Library team in the Anatomy Lecture Theatre in the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN).

Induction locations:

Directions to the BMS Lecture Theatre in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry can be found here.

Directions to the Anatomy Lecture Theatre in PDN can be found here.

Please note, these lecture theatres are only a 10 minute walk apart, it is likely to be quicker to walk between them than cycle (as finding a bike parking space can sometimes take time). You will be provided enough time to walk between the venues.

Teaching Timetable

Lectures

Lectures are scheduled between 9:00 and 1:00 Monday to Saturdays. All courses are lectured three times weekly, on a two-day cycle. You are expected to attend all three lectures in each subject every week (twelve lectures in all).

Location of lectures

The location of the FIRST lecture in the Michaelmas Term for each of the courses is listed below:

Practical classes

You will be expected to undertake practical work in each subject. The subjects vary in the way in which practical classes are scheduled and you will be told more about each subject in either your first lecture or the first scheduled practical class. Practical registration will be done on your behalf by your College - and you will receive an email before lectures start with a complete lecture and practical class timetable. It is important to wait until you know when your practical classes are, before you arrange any supervisions.

Once you have received the email informing you of your practical classes you can go to www.timetable.cam.ac.uk in order to create an electronic personalised timetable. Here you will be able to select your subjects and ‘Add’ the lectures and practicals. In order to add your allocated practical sessions you can select the subject, click on  ‘Practicals’ in the ‘Module’  box to expand the list, and then ‘Add’  those practical sessions which apply.

Supervisions

Supervisions are small-group teaching sessions arranged through your College.

Please see more information here.

Further information

All Part IA subjects have websites - links to these can be found from the Contacts section of the NST website.

Students will also be automatically registered in Moodle, an online learning support environment.