The Undergraduate Certificate in Physical Sciences will provide you with a broad overview of key concepts in this broad subject area, so that you can better appreciate principles behind scientific developments and debates, and perceive the relevance of these principles to your own experience. The course is aimed at students with an interest in the physical sciences, but little prior study experience in this area.
As well as gaining a deeper appreciation of the issues behind scientific and technical media reporting, you will gain hands-on experience of carrying out experiments. The skills developed during the course of the programme will be brought together at an end-of-course scientific discussion day.
What will I be studying?
The course is taught through three termly units, each divided into three blocks. The evening sessions take place on Wednesdays 7.15pm - 9.15pm. There are also some Saturday day-schools. All teaching dates are listed in the 2015-16 Course Specification at the bottom of the page.
Unit 1: Setting out the structure: fundamental concepts in Physical Sciences
From Wednesday 7 October 2015
Talking About Results – Information in Science. By exploring the relationships between different sources of scientific information, we will discuss how our own studies might fit into this structure.
Getting the Numbers Right – A Mathematical Toolkit. We will consolidate and develop our mathematical tools, including the use of very large and very small numbers; units and equations; precision; and analysis of data.
Stimulus and Response (I) – Patterns of Motion. By means of examples, we will discover the importance of Newtonian mechanics, introducing Newton's laws of motion, momentum, torque, work, and energy.
Unit 2: Science at our fingertips: Physical Sciences in practice
From Wednesday 13 January 2016
Stimulus and Response (II) – Action at a Distance. How are physical changes induced in systems? We will introduce the concept of a field as an exchange of forces in electricity, magnetism and gravitation.
Atoms and Upwards – Structure and Bonding. How can graphite and diamond both be made of carbon and yet have such different properties? We explore and explain some trends and surprises hidden in the Periodic Table.
Starting and Stopping – Energy, Reactivity and Rates of Change. Chemists are somewhat erroneously known for making explosions, when in fact far more effort goes into avoiding them. Our aim here is to understand when and why they happen.
Unit 3: The big picture: global perspectives in Physical Sciences
From Wednesday 13 April 2016
From Science to Technology – Materials in Service. You will have the opportunity to investigate approaches to optimisation of materials’ performance and the evaluation of environmental impact.
Planet Earth – Science on the Grand Scale. We will see how plate tectonics provides an explanation for many of the Earth’s volcanoes and earthquakes, mountains and oceans, and how evidence from rocks, minerals and fossils can be used to reveal ancient environments very different from those of today.
People Matter – The Scientific Community. How are individual scientists influenced by preceding generations, and how do they work together and inspire their successors?
The 2015-16 Course Specification is available to download at the bottom of the page.
How will I be taught and assessed?
The course is taught through a mixture of informal lectures and seminars, day-schools, practical sessions and discussion.
You will learn how to present and support evidence both through speaking and writing. You will also have access to online support through our virtual learning environment, which will accelerate your learning and enhance your experience of the course. Visit the ICE Online introductory website for a taste of the kind of online support you will receive.
All students are expected to take an active part in the course and submit work showing evidence of learning. In particular, you will be expected in each term to:
- attend classes, fieldtrips and day-schools;
- participate actively in class work;
- undertake reading and assignments set by the tutors;
- access resources and submit assignments through, the Institute’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
It is essential that students have an email account and regular access to an internet connected computer. The course is supported by a web-based virtual learning environment and course communications will be sent via email. Students are expected to submit their assignments online and feedback on assignments is delivered online.
Students will retain access to the course VLE space and any learning resources for two academic years after completing course.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
However, prospective students should satisfy themselves that their level of mathematics is sufficient. It is recognised that students' mathematical fluency will depend both on the nature of their qualifications and experience, and also on how recently these were obtained. For this reason ICE does not wish to prescribe a particular prerequisite; however a general willingness to engage with numerate problem-solving will be required. In order to assist students in determining their preparedness for the Certificate in Physical Sciences, online self-assessment materials are available.
Online self-assessment materials
(For enquiries relating to the self-assessment materials, please contact ug-awards@ice.cam.ac.uk or + 44 (0)1223 746236)
As it is taught at university level, applicants should be able to read, write and speak English fluently. If English is not your first language, you will need to send us evidence of your competence in the English language when you apply for a place.
ICE English language requirements
Fees information
The fee for the course is £1,800 and you can pay in one of two ways:
- in full on enrolment (by cheque payable to the University of Cambridge or by credit or debit card)
- in three instalments (credit/debit card only): the first on enrolment, the second by 1 November 2015 and the third by 1 February 2016.
ICE fees and refunds policy
How to apply
Online application is recommended and you will find the link to the online application form at the top of this page.
The closing date for receipt of all applications is 7 September 2015. Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on 7 September 2015. If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees (£1,800) or if paying by instalments, the first instalment of fees to secure your place.
What is the status of this qualification?
The course is taught and awarded at first-year undergraduate level (FHEQ 4) and offers 60 credits within the Higher Education Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). This is equivalent to half of the first year of full-time undergraduate study.
What can I go on to do?
Credit awarded by the Institute may also be transferred into the degree programmes of other higher education providers. However the volume of credit and the curriculum which can be transferred into degree programmes varies from institution to institution and is always at the discretion of the receiving institution.
Find out more
If you would like an informal discussion on academic matters before making your application, please contact the Course Director, Dr Judith Croston judith.croston@ice.cam.ac.uk
If you have any questions about the application process, contact our Admissions team: ice.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 746262.
For all other enquiries, contact the Academic Programme Manager: ug-awards@ice.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 746236.
