There are so many things I love about Natural Sciences at York. It was really tricky to only pick four – even after restricting myself to course-related things.
Broad range of content
To have picked Natural Science as your degree, you clearly love the breadth of topics covered by the sciences. The York program delivers on that. From quantum physics to microbiology, the breadth of study is diverse. It’s also incredibly rewarding to be in a chemistry lecture and recognise the link to your physics. The oh moments not only give depth to what you’re studying but can also fill in in gaps in your understanding now the connection has been made.
Natural Sciences gives you different way to tackle similar concepts from very different perspectives. As well as rounding out your problem-solving skills, this makes approaching tough questions far easier. If you’re struggling to find an answer through the typical chemistry route is confusing you, go the physics or biology route!
Close knit community (including staff)
We are quite a small year, particularly compared to the other sciences. Because you’re spending a lot of time with other natural scientists in lectures and labs, it’s really easy to make friends. Before I came, I was a little worried about making friends. I needn’t have worried as I’ve made firm friends within days.
NatSci in-jokes and banter spring up naturally (my year made memes about bond types in our second term…) Put the Natural Scientists in a room, and the energy is amazing. This means that socials are a blast, thanks to our brilliant society committee.
We also have an incredible team of staff, who are fully integrated into our NatSci community. If you have any problems, there are half a dozen people able to help you.
Natural Sciences Hour
On Thursday evenings, we have Natural Sciences Hour, when a researcher or industry professional talks to us about their work. We’ve had talks from BT engineers to former government advisers.
It’s a great to learn about where a degree can take you and place your studies in a real-world context. How is science affecting government policy? How are the theories you’re learning about applied to cutting edge technology?
After the talk, we get pizza – which is always a great bonus!
The common room
We have, by far, the nicest common room on campus. It’s just a fact, whatever the other departments want to say! Our home-base is found in the sprawling Biology department, right by a computer suite.
Thanks to our weekly natural sciences hour, it’s big, because it needs to accommodate everyone. This means there is plenty of space for you to work or hang out. Post-exams, it’s brilliant for playing board games. There are also two little study rooms (which can be combined into one) available. It’s open 24 hours, so there’s no need to hunt down the elusive free space in the library.
It’s really comfortable. There’s a kitchenette to keep you topped up with tea or coffee, and sofas arranged for group work. Whenever you come in, you’ll find others working or chatting over lunch, shifting tables around and debating lecture material on the whiteboards.
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