There are a large number of options in the first year which are loosely described as “Biological” or “Physical”. As a part 1A student you get the option of 3 courses, with a fourth, obligatory Maths options.
Below are some descriptions about the courses from past students.
Biology of Cells
Quite an interesting course if you like all things cellular! Some of the practicals are really good e.g. looking at your own cheek cells. I think most people find that it’s more about memorising facts, which means there’s nothing too tricky to understand. I think you might have to take this course at Catz but it is especially reccommended for 1B CDB and biochemistry and the knowledge in this course is assumed
for many of the 1B courses.
Amanda (acw57) 2008/2009
Pretty much obligatory for 1A BioNatScis. Bit of a baptism of fire, but a necessary foundation for many 1B bio courses.
Faye (fhr24) 2008/2009
Chemistry
In my opinion, this is how a first year undergraduate chemistry course should be taught. It starts with a firm grounding in molecular orbital theory, giving you the necessary tools to tackle organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. The lectures are generally well delivered and often feature demonstrations or quick diversions into more casual aspects of the subject. The practicals, on the other hand, often seem slightly lacking in any aim or direction other than to learn how to use a scale balance, but they only happen once a fortnight. Biologists might find themselves a bit out of their comfort zone when the focus switches to physical chemistry, but the rest of the course is a good preparation for many potential IB options (Chem B, Pharmacology, BMB). A generally well-organised, well-delivered introduction to undergraduate chemistry.
Josh (jdw56) 2008/2009
Computer Science
Earth Sciences
Evolution and Behaviour
I really enjoyed this course (apart from the human evolution bit in Easter term which involved too many weird names of species). It begins with the general concepts of evolution, then talks about the evolution of plants, then of animals, then of behaviour and finally of humans. The practicals are good and only a few per term are assessed. There are two field courses offered over the Easter vacation. Definitely recommend this course, especially if you want to take animal biology, ecology and plants options for 1B.
Amanda (acw57) 2008/2009
Materials Science
For a seemingly rather niche option, this course manages to pack in a surprising amount of knowledge in one year. This may be in part due to the twice-weekly lab sessions, which often seem a bit excessive but are on the whole useful in understanding the finer points of the lecture courses. There is generally a good divide between quantitative and qualitative learning, and the exams mimic this divide quite well. In summary, a course with a good deal of variety and a good delivery.
Josh (jdw56) 2008/2009
Physics
Physiology of Organisms
Really good course which combines animal and plant physiology and asks you to make comparisons between the two. The practicals in lent term were the best because you get to experiment on yourself! The plants practicals were also really good but a bit more cellular. There is a focus on understanding the key themes which is great, although there are some facts to remember for the multiple choice questions. This course is especially reccommended if you want to take 1B physiology or neuroscience. It also is really helpful for 1B plants and probably a few other courses.
Amanda (acw57) 2008/2009
An excellent course that covers animals, plants and microbes. Most of the animal stuff is really well lectured, but I found the plant lectures and handouts quite confusing. However, PoO is very well supervised at Catz and we are pretty much unique in having the same supervisor throughout, helping to focus essays on the common themes and principles (very useful for a comparative course!). It’s hard work but it definitely pays off in June.
Faye (fhr24) 2008/2009
Mathematics
As far as the IA courses go, this one is lacking slightly in interesting subjects and enlightening concepts, but it does what it’s there to do, giving you a good mathematical background for use in future study. In this respect, it’s only really needed by those intending to take a physical route, as the biologists will be unlikely to have any need of it, although it could be recommended to anyone with an active interest in Maths. The course covers a wide range of techniques, taking from both pure and applied maths, and the supervisions are generally a great help in picking out the most important points and learning some good alternative methods. A course that does the best it can to maintain high levels of quality and interest when the majority of the class has no choice but to take it.
Josh (jdw56) 2008/2009
Mathematical Biology (Or Quantitative Biology)
Probably the best maths course for a Bionatsci to pick. Gives a good introduction to the maths you’ll need for many of the 1B biology courses. Basically the course involves applying the maths you learnt at A-level to biology and so there are very little new maths techniques introduced. I got the feeling that unless you really like calculus and pure maths and wouldn’t mind spending more than a few hours per week on it, then pick this course!
Amanda (acw57) 2008/2009
Doesn’t really introduce any new techniques but focuses on applying what was learned at A Level to biological problems. I was dreading mountains of statistics but luckily this isn’t the case. There are also a few assessed computer practicals/ examples classes throughout the year which takes some of the pressure off in June. I would definitely recommend this course for biologists.
Faye (fhr24) 2008/2009