Biological Natural Sciences at Murray Edwards College

There are obvious and excellent reasons for choosing to study science at Cambridge: the extraordinary flexibility of the Natural Science Tripos, the opportunity to learn from the many distinguished scientists who work in the University and last, but not least, the lively intelligence of the students who study here.

The reasons for choosing Murray Edwards College, a modern college for women students, are less widely appreciated but also compelling. Women enjoy science at Murray Edwards College, do well, run active social lives and go on to high-flying careers - whether in science or other professions.

The Cambridge Natural Sciences Tripos.

The greatest benefit of the Natural Sciences Tripos is that you do not choose one science in which to specialise until you have explored several at the University level. Hence you gain an exceptionally broad scientific base. Furthermore, your choice of final year specialisation is thoroughly well informed. It may well be in a discipline that you would never have chosen straight from school!

You study three sciences in each of your first two years. You are nevertheless expected to achieve much the same (if not higher) standards in your final subject as graduates from narrower courses elsewhere. The pace of learning is inevitably high: but students thrive on this for two reasons (a) they have high ability and (b) they are supported by College supervisions.

Further course details may be found in the University prospectus.

Are you a biological or a physical scientist?

You label yourself "biological" or "physical" when you apply, but there is no firm distinction within the Tripos and this label may change during your course. For example, "biologists" often take Chemistry or Geology in their first and second years and may choose to specialise in one of these "physical" subjects in their final years. Conversely, students admitted as "physical" scientists may try out a biological subject in their first year and then move towards biological options.

The University and College

The University provides central lectures and practical classes where students from all colleges work together. These usually occupy 20 - 30 hours a week. In the first year, several hundred students go to lectures in vast lecture theatres. At the end of each year, the University sets the examinations and ultimately confers your degree (BA with honours after three years or the MSc after four).

The College gives you vital academic support. Murray Edwards College provides you with a Director of Studies, who advises you on subject choices, monitors your progress and arranges your supervisions. In supervisions typically two or three of you spend an hour a week with your supervisor: you discuss the material from lectures and clarify more difficult concepts. Supervisors set you written work (problems or essays) to prepare for the following week. This individual and ready help is absolutely essential to keep you up with the high pace of the course.

Why choose Murray Edwards College?

We think the numbers of women scientists is important for the social, economic and academic development of the country and we would like to help you to become one of them.

We have a strong team of well-qualified and sympathetic supervisors concerned to help you get the most out of Cambridge. Our supervisors are career research scientists who share their enthusiasm with you as much as their knowledge. Fellows currently supervising biologists on our first and second year science courses include:

• Dr Elizabeth Callery: developmental biologist working on cells and regenerative medicine
• Dr Robin Hiley: pharmacologist working on endothelial cells
• Dr Sandeep Hothi: medical doctor researching on physiology of the heart
• Dr Nick Mundy: evolutionary geneticist working on evolution of animal coloration and colour vision
• Dr Alex Piotrowski: earth scientist
• Dr Julia Turner: immunologist

Over three quarters of our science students get first or 2.1 degrees; a third of the students gained a first class degree in their final examinations in 2007. Murray Edwards College usually ranks high on an unofficial "value-added" table for the University, comparing first and final year results. So you may well do better with us than you would have done elsewhere.

We accommodate nearly everyone who wishes on our main site throughout their course, including fourth-year students. Many of our rooms are right up-to-date, with en suite facilities, telephone and high-speed computer network points.

What qualifications do you need?

Three or four subjects at A-level is standard, but we also admit regularly on the International Baccalaureat, Scottish Advanced Highers and various European examinations

Biological applicants usually offer three science subjects, one of which must be Chemistry, but we accept many who combine two sciences (most often Biology and Chemistry) with an arts subject at A-level. Although A-level maths is not essential, the more maths you study at school, the easier will be your first term or so here.

How are you admitted?

You can see more general information about applying to Murray Edwards College.

At interview we are more interested in you demonstrating a capacity for clear and critical thinking than regurgitating a series of facts or pre-prepared answers. Our interviewers will try to work with your core knowledge to explore new areas and to think about them logically. We of course expect you to show a high level of enthusiasm for biological science, even if you have not studied biology to A-level standard at school.

Our offers at A-level are usually A*AA (in subjects studied concurrently), and individual circumstances are taken into account. Most students also have largely A grades at GCSE, with at least half at A*.

We look carefully in the inter-collegiate pool in January: it's very common to find that excellent students who fail to receive offers from their college of first choice come to us and achieve first class results!

Should you take a gap year?

We support, and indeed encourage, students taking a year out before coming to University. Those who do usually feel the benefit of being a year more mature, better used to looking after themselves and ready to return to academic work. No one, in our experience, has ever regretted a gap!

Will you fit in at Murray Edwards College?

Our untraditional atmosphere is very accommodating to all sorts of people. Recently a majority of our scientists have come from state-maintained schools or sixth-form colleges, some from schools or backgrounds with little tradition of Oxbridge. Typically there will be three or four Natural Scientists in each year from overseas too, which enriches the collegiate experience for everyone.

To find out what a current student thinks of studying Biological Natural Sciences at Murray Edwards see our student profiles.

What about spare time?

Scientists are busy people, but manage their time well. Most fit in some activities within the wider world of the University rather than spending all their time within college. Recently we've had several University sports players, orchestral players, ballroom dancers…. students doing stage management or acting in the University amateur theatre….students writing for University newspapers, hitch-hiking to Morocco or fire-walking for Rag Week…..flying with the Flying Squadron. There's plenty to do: college sports, the gym, the gardens and television for lower-key relaxation.

What will you do afterwards?

Forget the gloomy media reports that 40% of graduates fail to find employment in line with their qualifications! Our students get jobs and fly high!

Amongst the biological scientists, about a quarter currently go on to do research for a doctorate (PhD degree). This may be in Cambridge but about half move on to other universities; one 2006 graduand has a prestigious place at Harvard.

Some tackle Masters courses before embarking on more specialized careers: Bioinformatics, Neuroscience, Epidemiology and Environmental Technology have been recent choices.

Many opt for other professions, such as medicine (via graduate entry to medical school), patent law, management consultancy, investment banking and civil service. A good scientific degree is welcomed in all these fields. It's also a pleasure to see good graduates training for teaching by taking a P.G.C.E. course, as some do each year.

Further questions?

Please get in touch, either with us, the Directors of Studies directly, or through the Admissions Office if you have any further queries.

What students do next

Other web pages show more about the careers of students from this College who studied you subject in the past.

Dr Nick Mundy (nim21@cam.ac.uk), Director of Studies in Biological Natural Sciences

Updated by HB, March 2012