Skip to main contentCambridge University Reporter

No 6211

Wednesday 26 January 2011

Vol cxli No 15

pp. 425–460

Notices by Faculty Boards, etc.

Natural Sciences Tripos, Part III: Entry requirements 2011–12

The Committee of Management for the Natural Sciences Tripos, in consultation with the Faculty Boards of Physics and Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences and Geography, and the Board of History and Philosophy of Science, has defined the standards required for entry to each subject of Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos (see Regulation 5(a) for the Tripos (Statutes and Ordinances, p. 381)), with effect from the courses commencing in the academical year 2011–12, as follows:

Astrophysics

In order to be a candidate for honours in Astrophysics in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should have obtained at least a II.2 in Astrophysics or Physics in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos, or in Part II of the Mathematical Tripos.

Biochemistry

In order to be a candidate for honours in Biochemistry in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should have obtained at least a II.2 in Biochemistry in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos.

Chemistry

In order to be a candidate for honours in Chemistry in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should have obtained at least a II.2 in Chemistry in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos.

Experimental and Theoretical Physics

In order to be a candidate for honours in Experimental and Theoretical Physics in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should:

either

(a) have obtained at least a II.2 in Experimental and Theoretical Physics in Part II;

or

(b) have obtained a II.2 in Part II Physical Sciences with at least 70% in Half Subject Physics;

or

(c) have obtained at least a II.2 in Part II Astrophysics;

or

(d) have obtained at least a II.2 in Part II of the Mathematical Tripos.

Geological Sciences

In order to be a candidate for honours in Geological Sciences in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should:

either

have obtained at least a II.2 in Geological Sciences in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos;

or

have obtained a II.2 in Part II Physical Sciences with at least 70% in Half Subject Geological Sciences.

Materials Science

In order to be a candidate for honours in Materials Science in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should have obtained at least a II.2 in Materials Science in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos.

History and Philosophy of Science

In order to be a candidate for honours in History and Philosophy of Science in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should have obtained at least a II.1 in History and Philosophy of Science in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos.

Students who have not taken History and Philosophy of Science in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos will be considered on a case-by-case basis. These students should have obtained at least a high II.1 overall class in Part II.

Systems Biology

In order to be a candidate for honours in Systems Biology in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student from the Natural Sciences Tripos should:

(1)

either

(a) have obtained at least 55% in either Mathematics or Mathematical Biology in Part Ia of the Natural Sciences Tripos;

or

(b) have obtained at least 55% in Mathematics in Part Ib of the Natural Sciences Tripos;

and

(2) have obtained at least a II.1 in a single-subject Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos.

Participation by students from the Mathematical Tripos will be considered on a case-by-case basis and a II.1 in Part II is normally expected.

All subjects

In addition to the standards mentioned above, candidates should have fulfilled any subject prerequisites as outlined in the appropriate programme specification. The application process for each subject is defined on the subject web page, together with details of any constraints on numbers or additional information that may be required.

Consideration of special cases

A student who has not met the required standard, or who has not offered the required subjects, as specified above, may request consideration as a special case. A request for special consideration should be forwarded by the student’s Director of Studies or Tutor to the Secretary of the relevant Faculty Board, at the earliest opportunity and, at the latest, within two weeks of the results being announced. The Director of Studies or Tutor should state the reasons for requesting dispensation, confirm that the College supports the request and is able to support the student, and believes that the student will be capable of undertaking the Part III course successfully. The application must be accompanied by copies of supervision reports, and a detailed breakdown of the student’s marks, year by year and subject by subject. The Committee nominated by the Faculty Board to consider special cases is not expected to consider circumstances of a nature on which the Applications Committee would normally make a judgement.

Representations regarding progression decisions are allowed for under the review procedure for examinations for undergraduate and certain other qualifications.

Natural Sciences Tripos, Part III: Entry requirements 2012–13

The Committee of Management for the Natural Sciences Tripos, in consultation with the Faculty Boards of Physics and Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences and Geography, and the Board of History and Philosophy of Science, has defined the standards required for entry to each subject of Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos (see Regulation 5(a) for the Tripos (Statutes and Ordinances, p. 381)), with effect from the courses commencing in the academical year 2012–13, as follows:

Astrophysics

In order to be a candidate for honours in Astrophysics in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should have obtained at least a II.1 in Astrophysics or Physics in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos, or in Part II of the Mathematical Tripos.

Biochemistry

In order to be a candidate for honours in Biochemistry in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should have obtained at least a II.1 in Biochemistry in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos.

Chemistry

In order to be a candidate for honours in Chemistry in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should have obtained at least a II.1 in Chemistry in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos.

Experimental and Theoretical Physics

In order to be a candidate for honours in Experimental and Theoretical Physics in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should:

either

(a) have obtained at least a II.2 in Experimental and Theoretical Physics in Part II;

or

(b) have obtained a II.2 in Part II Physical Sciences with at least 70% in Half Subject Physics;

or

(c) have obtained at least a II.2 in Part II Astrophysics;

or

(d) have obtained at least a II.2 in Part II of the Mathematical Tripos.

Geological Sciences

In order to be a candidate for honours in Geological Sciences in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should:

either

have obtained at least a II.2 in Geological Sciences in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos;

or

have obtained a II.2 in Part II Physical Sciences with at least 70% in Half Subject Geological Sciences.

Materials Science

In order to be a candidate for honours in Materials Science in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should have obtained at least a II.1 in Materials Science in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos.

History and Philosophy of Science

In order to be a candidate for honours in History and Philosophy of Science in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student should have obtained at least a II.1 in History and Philosophy of Science in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos.

Students who have not taken History and Philosophy of Science in Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos will be considered on a case-by-case basis. These students should have obtained at least a high II.1 overall class in Part II.

Systems Biology

In order to be a candidate for honours in Systems Biology in Part III of the Natural Sciences Tripos, a student from the Natural Sciences Tripos should:

(1)

either

(a) have obtained at least 55% in either Mathematics or Mathematical Biology in Part Ia of the Natural Sciences Tripos;

or

(b) have obtained at least 55% in Mathematics in Part Ib of the Natural Sciences Tripos;

and

(2) have obtained at least a II.1 in a single-subject Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos.

Participation by students from the Mathematical Tripos will be considered on a case-by-case basis and a II.1 in Part II is normally expected.

All subjects

In addition to the standards mentioned above, candidates should have fulfilled any subject prerequisites as outlined in the appropriate programme specification. The application process for each subject is defined on the subject web page together with details of any constraints on numbers or additional information that may be required.

Consideration of special cases

A student who has not met the required standard, or who has not offered the required subjects, as specified above, may request consideration as a special case. A request for special consideration should be forwarded by the student’s Director of Studies or Tutor to the Secretary of the relevant Faculty Board, at the earliest opportunity and, at the latest, within two weeks of the results being announced. The Director of Studies or Tutor should state the reasons for requesting dispensation, confirm that the College supports the request and is able to support the student, and believes that the student will be capable of undertaking the Part III course successfully. The application must be accompanied by copies of supervision reports, and a detailed breakdown of the student’s marks, year by year and subject by subject. The Committee nominated by the Faculty Board to consider special cases is not expected to consider circumstances of a nature on which the Applications Committee would normally make a judgement.

Representations regarding progression decisions are allowed for under the review procedure for examinations for undergraduate and certain other qualifications.