Year 1 (Part IA)
Broadening your horizons, exploring new subjects, confirming your choices
In your first year, you study three experimental sciences (from eight, plus one mathematics option (from two).
You choose your Part IA subjects at the start of the first term in discussion with your Director of Studies, but you should indicate in your Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ) whether your interests lie broadly in biological or physical sciences. The choice isn’t absolute, and many students change direction before they start or as they progress.
For each option, you usually have three hours of lectures, some practical work and one supervision per week. Assessment varies depending on the option taken but always includes written examinations. There may also be practical examinations or continuous assessment of practical work.
Further information about the options, and the various teaching and assessment methods can be found on the Natural Sciences website.
- Biology of Cells
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Evolution and Behaviour
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Physiology of Organisms
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Biology
Biology of Cells
- Highly desirable: A Level Chemistry
- Useful preparation: A Level Biology
- A Level Biology isn't essential but if you've taken it you'll already have met some of the material we cover in more depth in this option.
How do cells perform the vast range of functions required in living organisms? Biology of Cells introduces you to cell and molecular biology and builds on the recent huge advances in cell biology. It looks at how cells are constructed, organised and how they work; macromolecules, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, development and cell communication.
This option is for biological and physical sciences students who wish to explore the topical and rapidly advancing fields of cell biology, genetics and bioinformatics. It is also taken by many physical sciences students who wish to explore cell biology and genetics.
Please note that it's not possible to combine the Part 1A Biology of Cells and Computer Science options.
Chemistry
- Essential: A Level Chemistry (A Level Mathematics is essential to continue to Chemistry A in Part IB)
- Highly desirable: AS/A Level Mathematics
Chemistry is concerned with how and why molecules form, and what determines their properties and the way in which they react.
This kind of understanding helps chemists in designing and synthesising new molecules which have specific properties, and also sheds light on many other areas of science.
In this option, you begin to learn about the key concepts and theories which help us to understand chemistry, and explore how these ideas can be used to rationalise a wide range of molecular phenomena.
The subject contains a lot of material that's relevant to other options in Natural Sciences, as well as providing a firm basis for more advanced study in chemistry.
Computer Science
- Essential: A Level Mathematics
- Useful preparation: AS/A Level Further Mathematics and/or Physics
- No previous subject knowledge is necessary but some understanding of programming may be helpful.
Computer science is becoming as essential to science as mathematics. Whole disciplines from particle physics to genomics are now dependent on computers for data analysis.
In this option, you explore the theoretical and practical foundations of computer science. It challenges you to find solutions to interesting problems, and provides the programming skills needed to explore those solutions.
The option surveys the entire field before concentrating on programming skills (in ML and Java), algorithm design and analysis, and floating point and numerical computation.
If you wish to continue with computer science you can switch to the Computer Science course at the end of your first year.
Please note that it's not possible to combine the Part 1A Computer Science and Biology of Cells options.
Earth Sciences
- No previous subject knowledge is necessary.
Earth Sciences introduces the processes that create terrestrial planets such as ours – you learn about the forces driving plate tectonics, volcanic eruptions, climate change and biological evolution, and discover why other planets are different to Earth.
Earth Sciences is also about natural hazards: volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides. Fossils and isotopes record past changes in climate, sea level and ocean currents, offering answers to the urgent problem of climate change. Other concerns include finding water, coal, oil and minerals.
You gain practical experience in laboratory classes and on a compulsory one-week field course in Scotland.
Earth Sciences offers a wide scientific perspective and leads onto a broad range of careers. For an introduction to the course, watch the introductory film on the Department website.
Evolution and Behaviour
- Highly desirable: A Level Biology
This option covers the full range of biology disciplines and is relevant to the study of Cell and Developmental Biology, Ecology, Genetics, Plant Sciences, Psychology and Zoology.
You're introduced to the major principles of evolutionary theory, and explore the origin, evolution and diversity of life on Earth; and major transitions such as the origin of eukaryotes and multicellularity (using new and fast-evolving methods and techniques).
The second half of the option explores animal behaviour in an evolutionary context, including the evolution of behaviour, sociality, culture and intelligence; comparative studies of learning and memory; the evolution and behaviour of primates and humans; and evolutionary psychology.
You develop practical biological skills through practical classes and a field course.
By the end of the year, we hope that you'll agree with Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900-75) that 'nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.'
Materials Science
- Essential: A Level Mathematics, and either Chemistry or Physics
Materials Science involves the study of the physics and chemistry of matter, focusing on the link between the structure of materials and their properties in an effort to develop new and improved materials for advanced technological applications.
This option covers a wide range of topics, including the study of materials on an atomic scale using diffraction techniques, how liquid-crystal displays work, how biomaterials inspire materials design, and why aeroplanes don't fall apart.
There are numerous experimental activities such as fuel-cell construction, measurement of materials properties at cryogenic temperatures, and the use of electron microscopes to image materials on a nanometre-length scale.
This subject contains invaluable background knowledge to underpin the study of Materials Science, Physics or Chemistry in subsequent years.
Physics
- Essential: A Level Mathematics, and either Physics or Further Mathematics (with three units of Mechanics)
- Useful preparation: AS/A Level Further Mathematics
The Part IA Mathematics paper (see below) must be taken in parallel with this option.
Physics encompasses theoretical problems, such as the nature of space and time when travelling close to the speed of light; and everyday technical problems, such as the damping of oscillating systems.
The ideas of mechanics and electricity are built on and shown in action; for instance in studying rotating systems and the theories of oscillating systems, resonance, waves and optics. It gives a foretaste of major physics themes which are developed in succeeding years – the concept of a field, special relativity and quantum mechanics.
You think out problems for yourself and learn to apply mathematical analysis. Practical classes show the physics in action and develop professional attitudes in performing, assessing and reporting experiments.
Physiology of Organisms
- Useful preparation: AS/A Level Biology and/or Physics
In this option, you explore the different functional solutions developed by animals, plants and microbes to the problems of survival.
You begin with the factors that contribute to the stability of the cell's internal environment. Key topics in animal physiology are introduced; including function of nerves, muscles, cardiovascular, respiratory and osmoregulatory systems; followed by a wider consideration of homeostatic mechanisms.
You then explore the contrasting strategies whereby plants and microbes acquire nutrients, develop, adapt to their environment and associate with each other. Finally, these themes are drawn together in more comparative perspectives.
Physiology of Organisms is a valuable introduction to a wide range of Part IB biological courses and is of general interest to anyone curious about how the machinery underlying animal, plant and microbial life actually works! Find out more on the Department website.
Mathematics
- Essential: A Level Mathematics
This option focuses on mathematical techniques used in the physical sciences. Subjects covered include vector calculus, vector algebra, matrices, complex numbers, ordinary and partial differential equations, elementary probability theory and computing techniques.
There are two routes, 'A' and 'B'. Route A provides a thorough grounding in methods of mathematical science and covers the mathematical content required for all Part IB physical science options, including specifically Mathematics and Physics.
Route B proceeds at a significantly faster pace and contains additional material for those students who find mathematics rewarding in its own right.
Students are strongly encouraged to take route A unless they have a thorough understanding of A Level Further Mathematics material. Both routes lead to the same examination.
Mathematical Biology
- Highly desirable: A Level Mathematics
This option is focused on showing how mathematical techniques can help biologists. Mathematical techniques include simple differential equations, coupled non-linear systems, matrix algebra, recurrence relations, partial derivatives and compartmental analysis. Probability and statistics also form part of Mathematical Biology, although no prior knowledge of either is necessary.
You're introduced to the application of mathematical modelling in the analysis of biological systems, using examples drawn from biochemistry, animal and plant physiology, ecology and genetics.
Weekly computing practicals teach computational methods and numerical techniques, and there's extensive use of interactive computer modelling linked to lecture topics.
A significant amount of A Level Mathematics material is needed to understand Mathematical Biology. Therefore, if you don't have A Level Mathematics you're required to complete 20-40 hours of preparatory work before you arrive in Cambridge, and are given alternative teaching and support during the first term in order to develop necessary mathematical skills.