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 | Lecture times |
|---|---|---|
| A | Earth Sciences B; Physics B; Mathematical and Computational Biology (new for 2022-23) |
M. W. F. 9 |
| B | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Earth Sciences A | M. W. F. 10 |
| C | Evolution & Animal Diversity; Mathematics; Pharmacology; Quantitative and Environmental Science (new for 2022-23) | M. W. F. 11 |
| D | Ecology, Evolution & Conservation; Biology of Disease; Physics A | M. W. F. 12 |
| E | Chemistry B; Physiology | Tu. Th. S. 9 |
| F | Materials Science; Cell and Developmental Biology | Tu. Th. S. 10 |
| G | Experimental Psychology; Plant and Microbial Sciences | Tu. Th. S. 11 |
| H | Chemistry A; Neurobiology | Tu. Th. S. 12 |
| I | History and Philosophy of Science | M. W. F. 5 |
Due to timetable clashes it is inadvisable to take Physics B with Evolution & Animal Diversity or Pharmacology. If you wish to take either of these combinations you must speak to your Director of Studies who will need to make an application to the Natural Sciences Tripos Management Committee on your behalf.
TIMETABLE OF TEACHING 2022-23
Practicals
Staggered start times may be possible where there are clashes with lectures. You will be informed of the start time when you register.
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Approximately 12-5 on M. Tu. W. Th.or F. This includes a 1 hour lunch break to be taken at the discretion of the Senior demonstrator. |
| Biology of Disease | W. and F. 2-4. |
| Cell and Developmental Biology |
One session per week from: |
| Chemistry A | M. Tu. W. Th. F. 1.45-5. |
| Chemistry B | M. Tu. W. Th. F. 1.45-6. |
| Earth Sciences A | Three 1.5 hour sessions. Choose one from each set: Set 1: F 11-1, F 2-4 Set 2: M 11-1, M 2-4, Tu 10-12 Set 3: W 11-1, W 2-4, Th 10-12 |
| Earth Sciences B | Three 1.5 hour sessions. Choose one from each set: Set 1: F 11-1, S 10-12 Set 2: M 11-1, Tu 10-12 Set 3: W 11-1, Th 10-12 |
| Ecology, Evolution & Conservation | There are no practicals for this course: instead students undertake a research project. Students will also attend a small number of field trips and group sessions which will take place on various Monday afternoons during term; we also encourage students to undertake their project work during this time slot where possible, so students should therefore be available on Mondays 1-5pm. |
| Evolution & Animal Diversity | W. 12-5 or Th. 12-5. Five hours, fortnightly. |
| Experimental Psychology |
Two, two-hour sessions per week, one chosen from: |
| Materials Science | One regular practical per week in Michaelmas and Lent Terms only, either M. 9-11.30, or Tu. 2-4.30 or W. 9-11.30 or W. 2-4.30 |
| Mathematical and Computational Biology | W. or Th. 2-5 |
| Mathematics | See Maths Timetable |
| Neurobiology | Tu. or Th. 2-5. |
| Pharmacology | Tu. or W. 2-5. |
| Physics A | M. 2-5.45, Tu. 10-5.45, Th. 10-5.45, F. 2-5.45. Students will be allocated periods within these times. |
| Physics B | M. 2-5.45, Tu. 10-5.45, Th. 10-5.45, F. 2-5.45. Students will be allocated periods within these times. |
| Physiology | Tu. or Th. 2-4. |
| Plant & Microbial Sciences | M. or Tu. 12-5. Four hours. |
| Quantitative Environmental Science | M. Tu. W. Th 2-4 (available drop-in times) |
Practical registrations and introductory talks
All students must register via Moodle, the information is below. Additionally, students taking Physical Science subjects may also need to register directly with the department at the following times and places:
|
All IB NST Subjects |
All students should express their provisional wishes on the NST IB Practical Registration Moodle site by 1st Sept. Contact natsci@admin.cam.ac.uk if you have any questions. |
| Chemistry A |
Registration: 9:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00, Monday 3 October in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry |
| Chemistry B | Registration: 9:00-12:00 & 14:00-17:00, Monday 3 October in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry Introductory talk: 10am, Wednesday 5 October in the BMS Lecture Theatre, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry |
| Earth Sciences A and B | TBC |
| Materials Science | Register online by 10am on Friday 30 September at https://forms.office.com/r/Ugmr1BUE5G |
|
Physics A and Physics B |
Introductory talk: 1:30pm, Wednesday 5 October, at the Pippard Lecture Theatre, Cavendish Laboratory. |
An online timetable calendar has been developed where you can create your own electronic timetable at www.timetable.cam.ac.uk. Select your subjects and ‘Add’ the lectures and practicals. Once you have registered for a practical session, in order to add your 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.
Location of Lectures
The location of the FIRST lecture in the Michaelmas Term for each of the courses is listed below:
| Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Jean Thomas Lecture Theatre, Sanger |
| Biology of Disease | BMS Lecture Theatre, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry |
| Cell and Developmental Biology | Biffen Lecture Theatre, Department of Genetics |
| Chemistry A | Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry |
| Chemistry B | Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry |
| Earth Sciences A | Tilley Lecture Room, Department of Earth Sciences |
| Earth Sciences B | Tilley Lecture Room, Department of Earth Sciences |
| Ecology, Evolution & Conservation | Main Lecture Theatre, Department of Zoology |
| Evolution & Animal Diversity | Main Lecture Theatre, Department of Zoology |
| Experimental Psychology | Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Anatomy Building |
| History and Philosophy of Science | Cockcroft Lecture Theatre, New Museums Site |
| Materials Science | Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry |
| Mathematical and Computational Biology | Plant Sciences Lecture Theatre |
| Mathematics | Physiology Lecture Theatre, adjacent to the Department of Earth Sciences |
| Neurobiology | Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Department of PDN |
| Pharmacology | Botany Lecture Theatre, Department of Plant Sciences |
| Physics A | Cockcroft Lecture Theatre, New Museums Site |
| Physics B | Cockcroft Lecture Theatre, New Museums Site |
| Physiology | Biffen Lecture Theatre, Department of Genetics |
| Plant and Microbial Sciences | Large Lecture Theatre, Department of Plant Sciences |
| Quantitative Environmental Science | Tilley Lecture Room, Department of Earth Sciences |
Further information on each subject is available in the programme specification and on the course websites.