In the second year, students chose three of the below options. Not all second year combinations are possible as a result of timetable clashes, and as some of the courses build on previous years work, not all options will be open to everyone.
Animal Biology
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
I found BMB to be quite a lot of straight learning and some of the lecture notes for certain courses were badly organised. I’m slightly biased as I love molecular biology, but I found the course to be really useful at giving an insight into the core principles behind biological processes and systems. I’d definately advise taking CDB as well though (if you’re a biologist) as it gives a cellular appreciation of what BMB studies on a molecular level.
Michelle (michelle.brook (at) cantab.net) 2008/2009
A very interesting course. There’s not as much chemistry knowledge required as you might expect from biochem, and they run crash chemistry courses to remind you of the relevant 1A stuff. Works especially well with CDB; I really liked the way it went into depth on the logic behind some of the basic molecular biology techniques which can be skimmed over in CDB. That said, this course does have an awful lot of stuff that just has to be remembered. I found the practicals really useful; all very well explained (with good handouts!) so you understand what’s going on. There are also two compulsory journal clubs which are great as an introduction to reading primary literature.
Faye (fhr24) 2009/2010
Cell and Developmental Biology
Be warned; there are SO MANY three letter acronyms in this course – it can get very confusing and you can lose sight of the big picture. Once you figure out what’s actually going on, CDB can be really interesting. As you might imagine it’s very cellular, this means no metabolic pathways like IA (thank god). Some IA topics are expanded on, for example genomes, development, transcription, chromatin and development, but there’s loads of new stuff. Recommended books: Alberts, Molecular Biology of the Cell.
Claire (cs564) 2009/2010
If you enjoyed 1A cells then CDB is its natural successor. Goes into much more depth on the development side of things than 1A (as you’d expect) which can require a bit more effort to make coherent but it’s worth it if you’re willing to put the time in. The course touches on pretty much every aspect of the cell so is ideal for getting the bigger picture if you’re feeling a bit bogged down in molecules (BMB!).
Faye (fhr24) 2009/2010
Chemistry A
A very rewarding course if you’re willing to put the time in. The concepts involved in theoretical and physical chemistry can be abstract and often overwhelming, but effort in both the supervisions and in the weekly lab sessions is the best way to get things straight. As for the supervisions, Catz students have the advantage of being taught twice a week by the course organiser, once in a small and once in a large group. The course is based quite firmly in mathematical language, but it’s only when you go this deeply into chemistry that you can really appreciate its finest points. A good course made excellent by high quality teaching.
Josh (jdw56) 2009/2010
Chemistry B
Essential if you fancy yourself as a Part II Chemist, as this course gives you all the fundamentals (and a bit more) or organic and inorganic chemistry. The main issue with the course is the lack of coherence between the two disciplines, as there are a few conflicting arguments that become noticeable when the switch is made. The quality of supervisions at Catz, however, makes up for this, with the Lent and Easter terms usually involving one supervision in each discipline each week. There are a lot of lab hours involved, but the practicals this year seem a lot more useful than in IA and help to build up a good skill set. A good course which often falls frustratingly short of being excellent.
Josh (jdw56) 2009/2010
Ecology
Experimental Psychology
Geological Sciences A
Geological Sciences B
History and Philosophy of Science
Only take this course if you’re prepared to take the banter. Despite popular opinion, HPS is not an easy ride. There’s an awful lot of reading involved and for philosophy especially it’s all too easy to get drawn into attempting to understand very abstract, and long, arguments. Must be good at organising yourself to both get hold of books and read them in time. Easter term HPS isn’t too bad as you can pick and choose which topics to prepare for the exam.
Faye (fhr24) 2009/2010
Materials Science
Life as a materials scientist is a lonely life, but the small class size means that you feel like more than a name on a department register. The practical classes are small, so there is no time wasted waiting on equipment or demonstrators, and the class is generally small enough to allow a few industrial visits throughout the year. This course really helps you to develop a good set of skills, since there is a lot of independent lab time and microscope use. There are a few dodgy lectures throughout the year, but nothing that a supervision or two can’t sort out. Useful if nothing else as a filler for those taking double chemistry and wanting to avoid IB maths.
Josh (jdw56) 2009/2010
Mathematics
Mineral Sciences
Neurobiology
Pathology
Shared with the vets and medics – and a lot of the time it feels like its aimed to the medics alone (some lecturers more than others). That said Pathology is definitely my favourite. Cell injury and the start of immunology are very cellular based, with what seems like loads of molecules to learn – but don’t let that put you off, it gets so much better. Starting with immunology you learn about the innate and adaptive immune system, its role in disease and how it may go wrong. Then the mechanisms of how viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria cause disease and then vascular diseases and cancer. If you like House you’ll like this. Recommended books: Don’t think there is one good textbook for the whole course. Find what you can in the library.
Claire (cs564) 2009/2010
Pharmacology
Physics A
Physics B
Physiology
If you didn’t like PoO don’t automatically write off Physiology IB. I hate comparative physiology, so I didn’t enjoy PoO that much, but in IB it’s just mammalian physiology. A couple of topics in IA come up again (Renal, Cardio, Nutrition, Respiration) but they’re either in a lot more detail or different aspects. Lent term is mainly reproduction/birth/neonate and the lecturers can be very stingy with their handouts – one lecture only had 3 diagrams – so make sure you bring paper! Recommended books: Berne and Levy, Physiology and Johnson, Essential Reproduction.
Claire (cs564) 2009/2010
Plant and Microbial Sciences