What you study
Natural Sciences gives you the opportunity to study three subjects in one course. This will give you a specialist multidisciplinary degree.
In year one, you'll study 40 credits of modules for each of the three subjects in your chosen stream. In year two, you study 60 credits of modules of any two of your first year subjects. In year three, you will study the same two subjects as year two alongside a third year project module. You can study 50 credits of each subject, or choose to study more of one subject.
If you choose an MSci, year four tends to focus mainly on a single subject because half of your year is a research project. This can be in a single discipline or be interdisciplinary. Alongside this you choose optional modules in one or both of your third year subjects.
Subjects available
Archaeology
Archaeology is an interdisciplinary subject which brings together science and humanities. Archaeologists study all periods from the earliest human origins to later prehistoric and historically documented societies, using their knowledge of how humans lived to ask questions which can then be answered using scientific approaches, techniques and methodologies.
Available streams with archeology include:
Biology
Biology is the study of life and living organisms. On Natural Sciences, students choose to focus on either molecular biology and genetics or evolutionary biology and ecology studying theory and practical lab classes in their specialisation. Alongside this students explore further areas like immunobiology, neuroscience, behaviour or developmental biology through optional modules.
Available streams with biology include:
Cancer Sciences
Cancer Science is an interdisciplinary subject bringing together molecular and cellular biology, genetics, clinical science and epidemiology. Students study a combination of theory and practical module to learn more about what cancer is, how it grows, how it spreads, the underlying genetics and population dynamics, who it affects and how it can be treated.
Available streams with cancer sciences include:
Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of the composition and properties of matter and the changes it undergoes. You will study all three branches of chemistry in your first year gaining a comprehensive foundation of theory and practical work to build on. From the second year you will follow either an organic & inorganic or inorganic and physical route through chemistry.
Available streams with chemistry include:
Earth Science
Earth Sciences is the scientific study of the planet. Core areas give you a broad understanding of the formation of the Earth's surface environment, and how it has developed over time including discussion of major global systems such as: plate tectonics, geology, oceans and ocean circulation, the atmosphere, weather and climate. Options in later years allow you to explore more specialised areas like soil science, geochemistry, pollution monitoring & mediation and environmental modelling.
Available streams with earth science include:
Ecosystem & Environment
The focus of this subject is how different ecosystems were formed and how organisms interact with each other and their environment. It also covers the impact of humans on the environment looking at things like climate change, habitat loss and damage to ecosystems and how these can be managed and modelled.
Available streams with ecosystem & environment include:
Maths
Mathematics is a subject integral to everyday life which lies at the heart of science, technology and finance. You will gain a good grounding in calculus, differential equations and computational approaches with options in areas including statistics and probability, modelling, scientific computation, mathematical medicine, fluid dynamics, mathematical physics and relativity.
Available streams with maths include:
Physics
Physics is a fundamental science which explores the nature and properties of matter, energy, motion and force. You begin by studying core areas of classical mechanics, wave phenomena, relativity, electromagnetism and quantum physics. As you progress through your studies you will follow either an experimental or theoretical route through physics.
Available streams with physics include:
Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of the brain and behaviour. Students follow one of two routes through this subject; Biological Psychology covering neuroscience and cognitive psychology or Social and Developmental Psychology studying these two areas alongside cognitive psychology.
Available streams with psychology include: