What is a Natural Sciences degree?
A Natural Sciences degree at Durham allows you to study two or more science subjects in a single degree. For example, I studied chemistry and physics in the Natural Sciences program. While those were my preferred subjects, I could have chosen a less complementary combination of subjects, like biology and economics for example, or taken modules from a subject I’ve never studied before.
I spent a lot of time during my A levels trying to find a joint honours degree in Chemistry and Physics or a Chemical Physics type degree. I found the Natural Sciences degree at Durham fit perfectly with what I was interested in and gave me enough depth in both subjects.
How did I decide on a subject combination?
I took A levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and History and did an AS in Further Maths in year 12. This combination set me up to be able to take most of the subjects available within the course. I knew I liked the problem solving and maths aspect of physics and making things in a chemistry lab, so this was the combination I knew I wanted to take despite a range of new subjects being available to me.
However, there was still a chance that I would have hated studying this combination of subjects at degree level. This is where the beauty of a flexible degree like Natural Sciences lies – while some modules have prerequisites, there are no courses you ‘have’ to take. This meant I could have changed one of my subjects to Earth Sciences, for example after the first year, if I’d realised that I’d made the wrong decision. Thankfully though, I ended up loving the combination of Chemistry and Physics I chose
What I did next
I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do after University when I applied for Natural Sciences. In fact, I still don’t know what I want to do as a career even now I’ve started a PhD in Chemistry at Durham!
I could see some upsides of doing two subjects rather than one. You are taught the content alongside the single honours students taking each module. This means you are taught from different perspectives and develop a range of skills. Instead of just developing one skillset, you develop multiple which can make you more employable.
Studying more than one subject also made me feel more confident to step outside my comfort zone when applying to summer internships, for example in the summer before my fourth year, I spent eight weeks on Prebends Bridge (see picture), conducting a survey for Historic England on the water damage to it using a new piece of hand-built kit designed using principles from my physics studies. I also published my first academic journal article from this work!
Particularly in the future, I think there will be a need for interdisciplinary skillsets in a range of workplaces and a Natural Sciences degree at Durham offers a great foundation for this!
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