Churchill College: Admissions Information: Undergraduates: Natural Sciences

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Natural Sciences at Cambridge
Natural Sciences at Churchill
Admissions in Natural Sciences at Churchill College
Fellows in the Natural Sciences
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Natural Sciences at Cambridge

Natural Sciences offers both physical and biological scientists a unique and demanding course that combines a broad first year with increasing specialisation in the second year and total specialisation in the third and, in some disciplines, fourth years. The breadth and flexibility of the Natural Sciences Tripos reflects the blurring of boundaries between the different sciences: biological problems are increasingly being solved using techniques which require an understanding of physics and chemistry, whilst many of the most pressing problems being addressed by physicists, chemists and materials scientists require a knowledge of biology. You are not admitted to the University of Cambridge to read a single subject, but select three subject options plus maths in the first year after which students go on to specialize during the last year or two of your three or four degree course.

Natural Sciences at Churchill College

Churchill College has a mission in science and technology, and as such we have a large community of natural scientists, admitting c.35 students each year. The College library is extremely well resourced for the Natural Sciences Tripos, and has over thirty fellows across the Natural Sciences. Teaching arrangements in the College follow the university wide supervision system, ensuring that students receive expert guidance and encouragement throughout their time at Churchill College.

At Churchill College we emphasise diverse range of options available to natural scientists from the outset. In the first week of the first term all of our all our Natural Science Freshers (the new students) hear presentations from our Directors of Studies about the range of the seven experimental subjects and computer science before selecting their preferred three. While some new students come to this meeting with a very clear idea about what subjects they intend to take, others may not have not fully made up their minds and can change their minds even at this stage. Having said this most Cambridge scientists think of themselves as being predominantly physical scientists or biological scientists.

Biological Sciences

The College has, over the years, had many eminent biologists in the Fellowship, such as Watson and Crick, Edwards, Gurdon, Ashburner, H.E.Huxley and Keynes. This close association with the most exciting developments in Biology continues with Fellows providing teaching across the three broad themes of biology that can be studied, namely: (a) whole-organism biology, (b) cellular and molecular biology, and (c) human biology. Most people taking biological subjects within the Natural Sciences Tripos will take a three-year degree course; the exceptions are Biochemistry which now offers both Part II and Part III courses in the third and fourth years respectively, and Systems Biology as a Part III option.

Physical Sciences

The majority of students who study the physical sciences – Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science and Metallurgy and Geology (Earth Sciences) – will go on to take a four-year course leading to a Master's as well as a Bachelor's degree. We recommend that all students in physical science register for a four-year degree. With a healthy presence in physical sciences in the College and some famous alumni, we have groups of students in the physical sciences that share common interests, leading to a strong tradition of excellence in the College.

Admissions in Natural Sciences at Churchill College

The standard entry requirements to Churchill College are available here. In addition to these arrangements when applying for Natural Sciences it is important to note that:

Two A levels out of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics are the minimum, provided that you're happy with a restricted choice of subjects in the first year.
An additional science/mathematics subject at either AS or A level is helpful.
It is important to note that you cannot study a combination of three biological courses during the first year without A level Chemistry.
A level Mathematics is essential for the physical sciences and should you wish to study the Computer Science option within Natural Sciences.

After submitting your UCAS form the applications are all reviewed and about 90% of all applicants to read Natural Sciences at Churchill College are invited for interview during early-mid December. There are ordinarily one or two interviews lasting c.25–40mins with academic Fellows from the College, where you will be asked about your current studies and related ideas. For Natural Sciences there are no specific admissions tests in addition to the interview.