Choosing your subjects and registering for practical classes: What subjects can I study?
In the second year, Part IB, of the Natural Sciences Tripos you read THREE subjects from those listed below. There are some timetabling restrictions and you cannot take more than one subject from any one group. The subjects are grouped together as follows:
| Group | Subjects | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Earth Sciences B; Mathematical and Computational Biology; |
Physics B. |
| B | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; | Earth Sciences A. |
| C | Evolution & Animal Diversity; Pharmacology; |
Mathematics; |
| D | Ecology & Conservation; Physics A; |
Biology of Disease. |
| E | Chemistry B; | Physiology. |
| F | Materials Science; | Cell and Developmental Biology. |
| G | Experimental Psychology; | Plant and Microbial Sciences. |
| H | Chemistry A; | Neurobiology. |
| I | History and Philosophy of Science. |
Please note: although Mathematical and Computational Biology (MCB) and Quantitative Environmental Science (QES) can be taken together, we advise students to consider this carefully as it will considerably reduce the Part II course options available to you. Please discuss this with your DoS.
Timetable of Teaching 2024-25
You should attend all the lecture times listed for the subjects you choose. You will be assigned practical sessions by each department using the times below.
IB Subject |
Lecture Times |
Practical Times |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Mon, Weds and Fri 10-11 |
12-5 on Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs or Fri. This includes a 1-hour lunch break to be taken at the discretion of the Senior demonstrator. |
| Biology of Disease | Mon, Weds and Fri 12-1 |
Weds and Fri 2-4. |
| Cell and Developmental Biology | Tues, Thurs and Sat 10-11 |
One session per week from: |
| Chemistry A | Tues, Thurs and Sat 12-1 |
One session per week from: |
| Chemistry B | Tues, Thurs and Sat 9-10 |
One session per week from: Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri 1:45-6. |
| Earth Sciences A | Mon, Weds and Fri 10-11 |
Three 2 hour sessions. Attend one from each set: Set 1: Fri 12-2, Fri 2-4 Set 2: Mon 12-2, Mon 2-4, Tues 10-12 Set 3: Weds 12-2, Weds 2-4, Thurs 10-12 |
| Earth Sciences B | Mon, Weds and Fri 9-10 |
Three 2 hour sessions. Attend one from each set: Set 1: Fri 11-1, Sat 10-12 Set 2: Mon 11-1, Tues 10-12 Set 3: Weds 11-1, Thurs 10-12 |
| Ecology & Conservation | Mon, Weds and Fri 12-1 |
There are no practicals for this course, instead students undertake a research project, either started on the Woodland and Grassland Ecology Field Course (Juniper Hall) during the summer, or Urban Ecology Field Course (Cambridge) at the start of Michaelmas Term. Students must be available 1-5pm on Mondays. |
| Evolution & Animal Diversity | Mon, Weds and Fri 11-12 |
Students attend one group with classes taking place one every two weeks Group A: Weds 12-5 Group B: Thurs 12-5 Group C: Thurs 12-5 |
| Experimental Psychology | Tues, Thurs and Sat 11-12 |
Two, two-hour sessions per week, one from: |
| History and Philosophy of Science | Mon, Weds and Fri 5-6 |
None |
| Materials Science | Tues, Thurs and Sat 10-11 | One per week in Michaelmas and Lent Terms only from: Mon 9.15-11.30 or Tues 2-4.15 or Weds 9.15-11.30 or Weds 2-4.15 |
| Mathematical and Computational Biology | Mon, Weds and Fri 9-10 |
Weds or Thurs 2-5 |
| Mathematics | Mon, Weds and Fri 11-12 |
See Maths Timetable |
| Neurobiology | Tues, Thurs and Sat 12-1 |
Tues or Thurs 2-5. |
| Pharmacology | Mon, Weds and Fri 11-12 |
Tues or Weds 2-5. |
| Physics A | Mon, Weds and Fri 12-1 |
Mon 2-5.45, Tues 10-5.45, Thurs 10-5.45, Fri 2-5.45. Students will be allocated periods within these times. |
| Physics B | Mon, Weds and Fri 9-10 |
Mon 2-5.45, Tues 10-5.45, Thurs 10-5.45, Fri. 2-5.45. Students will be allocated periods within these times. |
| Physiology | Tues, Thurs and Sat 9-10 |
Tues or Thurs 2-5. |
| Plant & Microbial Sciences | Tues, Thurs and Sat 11-12 |
Mon or Tues 12-5. Four hours. |
| Quantitative Environmental Science | Mon, Weds and Fri 11-12 |
Tues, Weds, Thurs, Fri 1-2:30 (available drop-in times). |
Registering for your IB subjects.
All students must submit their IB subject choices via the NST IB Course Registration form by 19th September 2024. After this date you will be contacted by the relevant department with your allocated practical slot(s), you should communicate with the department if a practical slot does not work with the rest of your timetable. Staggered start times may be possible where there are clashes with lectures.
NB: if you change your mind after making a submission, simply make a new submission. Your previous choices will be disregarded.
Creating your timetable:
You can create your own electronic timetable at www.timetable.cam.ac.uk. Select your subjects and 'Add' all the lectures. Once you have received confirmation of your practical slots, under each subject click on ‘Practicals’ in the ‘Module’ box to expand the list, and then ‘Add’ those practical sessions which apply to you.
Physical Sciences Registration and Introductory talks
In addition to registering your IB choices via the online form, students taking Physical Science subjects may also need to register directly with the department at the following times and places:
| Chemistry A |
Registration: 9:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00, Monday 7 October in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry |
| Chemistry B |
Registration: 9:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00, Monday 7 October in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry |
| Physics A Physics B |
Introductory talk: 2pm, Wednesday 9 October, at the Pippard Lecture Theatre, Cavendish Laboratory. |
Further information on each subject is available in the programme specification and on the course websites.