Astronomy is the oldest science. For thousands of years, human beings have studied the lights in the night sky and tried to understand the workings of the cosmos. But for most of our history, our view has been limited. By observing the night sky with our eyes, we are only able to see the Universe in the wavelengths of light visible to our eyes. But visible light is only a small part of the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

Over the past century, astronomy has become a 'multi-wavelength' science, as astronomers have begun to study the sky using other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. And the results have been astounding. Each new type of light, from radio waves to the infra-red, has provided a whole new window to the cosmos, revealing a Universe more weird and wonderful than we had ever imagined.

In this seminar we will look at the science of modern multi-wavelength astronomy. We will begin with long wavelength radio waves, move on to submillimetre and then infra-red light, and finally on to optical astronomy. Along the way we will encounter rapidly spinning neutron stars, hidden distant galaxies, stellar nurseries, violent supermassive black holes, and much more.

Learning outcomes

1. To gain a deeper understanding of the methods of modern astronomy;
2. To understand how and why astronomers use different regions of the spectrum;
3. To gain an understanding of the types of astronomical objects we can see using different wavelengths.

Academic Programme

• Seminar
• Two-three plenary lectures per day
• Evening talks
• Contact hours: up to 47.5 hours

Seminars

You choose one seminar subject, and meet with your seminar leader and fellow seminar participants six times, on specific afternoons across the two weeks. Seminar groups will be limited in size, allowing students time to engage with the topics and to discuss the subjects covered by the Seminar Leaders and by the morning plenary speakers. The following were invited to teach seminars in 2020:

Plenary lectures

Invited speakers will address a wide range of topics relating to the challenges we face today, expanding on, and adding to, the subjects addressed in the seminars. Subject areas are likely to include, but are not limited to: 

Challenges to democracy of populist leaders

Climate change

The energy crisis

Issues of sustainability

Feeding the world

Immunity and disease

Conservation science

Conflict

Migration

Poverty

To add to your experience, you will have the unique opportunity to stay in one of five beautiful Cambridge Colleges. Each is very different in character, but all offer a warm welcome. All are within easy walking distance of the main teaching site and the vibrant city centre. You will meet fellow students and become familiar with Cambridge in a way few are privileged to experience.

The Colleges

Gonville & Caius College (Standard rooms)

Distinguished for having produced fourteen Nobel Prize winners, this beautiful College, dating back to medieval times, is located in the heart of the city centre near the hustle and bustle of the lively market, restaurants and cafés. The College offers standard rooms with shared bathroom facilities. A pleasant 10 minute walk across the river and along the Backs takes you to the main teaching site. Read more »

Newnham College (Standard rooms)

Set around large secluded gardens, this graceful College is just across the road from your lecture rooms, and a short walk from the historic city centre. Meals are served buffet-style and taken in the airy dining hall, overlooking the gardens. Read more »

Queens' College (En suite rooms)

Overlooking the River Cam, Queens’ boasts the famous Mathematical Bridge and some of the most iconic views in Cambridge. The College offers a magnificent dining hall, historic courtyards, quiet gardens and modern rooms: the best of both worlds. Read more

Selwyn College (Standard and En suite rooms)

With its extensive and peaceful gardens backing onto the teaching site, Selwyn is very convenient for getting to lectures, as well as offering a choice of traditional and modern rooms. The city centre is easily reached by a variety of walks past famous Cambridge landmarks. Read more »

St Catharine's College (En suite rooms and Standard rooms in shared flats in St Chad's)

Situated in the very heart of the city on one of the original medieval routes, St Catharine's College is close to both King’s College and Queens’ College, yet just a short walk to the main teaching sites. St Catharine's offers graceful architecture and delightful courtyard gardens. Read more

Tuition fees for 2020. Fees for 2021 to be confirmed.

Accommodation fees for 2020. Fees for 2021 to be confirmed.

En suite includes a private shower or bathroom and toilet. Standard includes shared facilities.
*Doubles and Twins: the price is per person (pp), sharing.
**Shared flat - room only, self catering with kitchen: the price is per person (pp), sharing.
***Extra nights (Saturdays) are only available if you are attending two, or more, consecutive programmes/terms.

If your first choice is full, we will allocate you your next choice.
You are welcome to attend as a non-resident.

Registration fee

In line with our Booking Terms and Conditions, a registration fee of £250 must accompany your application. This registration fee is part of the full programme fee. Applications cannot be processed until the registration fee is received. The remainder of the fee must be paid by the balance of payment date (see below).

Applications sent after the balance of payment date must be accompanied by the full programme fee. If the full fee is not paid by this date the University reserves the right to cancel the application and allocate places to others on waiting lists. If you make any payment by bank transfer you must inform us and send a scanned copy of your bank transfer transaction confirmation.

Please note: payments will be automatically taken in GBP. Please contact us if you wish to make alternative arrangements to pay in your Home / different currency.

Balance of payment date

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from all adults including university students, professionals and those with other experience, regardless of educational background. Gap year students (ie those who will already have finished high school by the start of the programmes) will be considered for admission. Due to the nature and location of the programmes, gap year students under 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian acting as a chaperone. The chaperone will need to live in College in a room adjacent to the participant, and to attend classes with the participant. Chaperones are charged for accommodation and meals.

Before you apply

Before applying, please ensure that you have read the programme requirements (including who can apply, English language requirements and visa guidance) and that you have understood our Booking terms and conditions. You may also find it helpful to read our Booking information.

How to apply

To book online and pay by credit or debit card click on the Apply Now button at the top of the programme and course/seminar pages. You will be taken to our online system where you can set up an account using your email address, you will then be taken through the application process step by step. 

As part of the ID process for the new booking system you will need to submit a colour photograph of yourself. If you experience any problems with uploading one, please contact us at intenq@ice.cam.ac.uk for advice on how to proceed.

What happens next?

Once you have completed the online application form you will receive:

1. An email to acknowledge your online application (this is not confirmation of acceptance onto the programme(s))
2. An email to confirm your online registration fee payment

If you meet all of the requirements and have provided all of the relevant information your application will be processed and accepted.

If your application is incomplete (eg missing language information) you will receive an email, and your application will be held as 'submitted' until the issue is resolved.

Once your application has been accepted you will receive:

1. An email to confirm your place on your chosen programme including a 'Your orders' tab where you can view and make payments
2. An email containing your acceptance letter including allocated course(s)/seminar(s) and accommodation

NB: Liaise with your group contact if you have applied through an institution.

You will also be emailed login details for the VLE (from mid-February onwards), where you can access the Student Handbook, course materials, information about your College and weekend excursions.

Please note: some emails sent from our office are occasionally redirected to junk or spam folders. Please ensure that you check these folders regularly once you have applied.

If you have any queries about any of the above, please contact us:

Email: intenq@ice.cam.ac.uk
Tel. +44 (0)1223 760 850

English language requirements

To ensure that all participants on our Summer Programmes are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level, and will need to demonstrate an appropriate level of English language proficiency*. If English is not your first (that is, your native) language, you will need to meet our English language requirements, by providing evidence of one of the following tests. These results should have been achieved in the same sitting, and no more than 2 years before the date of application.

Please note that if you have previously attended our University of Cambridge International Summer Programmes you are deemed to have already met this requirement and do not therefore need to provide further proof of English language proficiency.

In order for your results to be verified by our office, please provide the following:

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: your certificate or Test Report Form (TRF) number
• CPE / CAE: via the Cambridge Assessment Candidate Website: https://candidates.cambridgeenglish.org/Members/Login.aspx?M=None please give the University of Cambridge International Summer Programmes permission to view your results
• TOEFL iBT: your full 16-digit registration number and your date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

* Some applicants may have undertaken all or part of their education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in their professional life, and as such could reasonably be expected to fully participate in our Programmes without the above tests. If you think you may be eligible to apply on this basis (subject to submission of relevant evidence), or if you have any other enquiries about your English language, please contact us before applying at intlang@ice.cam.ac.uk 

Visa guidance

It is important to ensure that you have the correct visa which permits study on the International Summer Programmes. The University of Cambridge must comply with regulations issued by UK Visas and Immigration, part of the government’s Home Office. See Visa Guidance for more information. 

Academic Programme

• Seminar
• Two-three plenary lectures per day
• Evening talks
• Supervision
• Contact hours: up to 84 hours

Seminars

You choose one seminar subject, and meet with the seminar leader and fellow seminar participants five times, on specific afternoons across the four weeks. The following have been invited to teach seminars:

Supervision

Each seminar group will be split in the final week, to allow for a Cambridge-style small group supervision, addressing the topics you have chosen for your written work.
This four-week programme is designed to allow students time to engage with the topics, to reflect on their learning, to write on a topic set by their seminar leader, and to discuss those written pieces within their supervision group. 

Evaluation

In addition to the supervision assessment you can opt in to write an evaluation paper to be submitted a week after the programme ends for an additional £55.
Please note evaluation paper must be on a different subject to the supervision assessment.

The morning plenary lectures will be given by leading figures from the University of Cambridge and distinguished visiting speakers.

Gonville & Caius College 

Distinguished for having produced fourteen Nobel Prize winners, this beautiful College, dating back to medieval times, is located in the heart of the city centre near the hustle and bustle of the lively market, restaurants and cafés. The College offers standard rooms with shared bathroom facilities. A pleasant 10 minute walk across the river and along the Backs takes you to the main teaching site. Read more »

Tuition fees

Accommodation fees

Registration fee

In line with our Booking Terms and Conditions, a registration fee of £400 must accompany your application. This registration fee is part of the full programme fee. Applications cannot be processed until the registration fee is received. The remainder of the fee must be paid by the balance of payment date (see below).

Applications sent after the balance of payment date must be accompanied by the full programme fee. If the full fee is not paid by this date the University reserves the right to cancel the application and allocate places to others on waiting lists. If you make any payment by bank transfer you must inform us and send a scanned copy of your bank transfer transaction confirmation.

Please note: payments will be automatically taken in GBP. Please contact us if you wish to make alternative arrangements to pay in your Home / different currency.

Balance of payment date

Who can apply?

We expect that most students will be current undergraduates, with a high GPA (cumulative score) in their home institution, who want to earn credit toward their home degree. A minimum GPA would normally be 3.2/4 on a 4-point marking scale, or 4/5 on a 5-point marking scale. So as a guide, a minimum cumulative mark would be 80%.

We welcome applications from all adults including university students, professionals and those with other experience, regardless of educational background. Gap year students (ie those who will already have finished high school by the start of the programmes) will be considered for admission. Due to the nature and location of the programmes, gap year students under 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian acting as a chaperone. The chaperone will need to live in College in a room adjacent to the participant, and to attend classes with the participant. Chaperones are charged for accommodation and meals.

Before you apply

Before applying, please ensure that you have read the programme requirements (including who can apply, English language requirements and visa guidance) and that you have understood our Booking terms and conditions. You may also find it helpful to read our Booking information.

How to apply

To book online and pay by credit or debit card click on the Apply Now button at the top of the programme and course/seminar pages. You will be taken to our online system where you can set up an account using your email address, you will then be taken through the application process step by step. 

As part of the ID process for the new booking system you will need to submit a colour photograph of yourself. If you experience any problems with uploading one, please contact us at intenq@ice.cam.ac.uk for advice on how to proceed.

What happens next?

Once you have completed the online application form you will receive:

1. An email to acknowledge your online application (this is not confirmation of acceptance onto the programme(s))
2. An email to confirm your online registration fee payment

If you meet all of the requirements and have provided all of the relevant information your application will be processed and accepted.

If your application is incomplete (eg missing language information) you will receive an email, and your application will be held as 'submitted' until the issue is resolved.

Once your application has been accepted you will receive:

1. An email to confirm your place on your chosen programme including a 'Your orders' tab where you can view and make payments
2. An email containing your acceptance letter including allocated course(s)/seminar(s) and accommodation

NB: Liaise with your group contact if you have applied through an institution.

You will also be emailed login details for the VLE (from mid-February onwards), where you can access the Student Handbook, course materials, information about your College and weekend excursions.

Please note: some emails sent from our office are occasionally redirected to junk or spam folders. Please ensure that you check these folders regularly once you have applied.

If you have any queries about any of the above, please contact us:

Email: intenq@ice.cam.ac.uk
Tel. +44 (0)1223 760 850

English language requirements

To ensure that all participants on our Summer Programmes are able to enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English at University level, and will need to demonstrate an appropriate level of English language proficiency*. If English is not your first (that is, your native) language, you will need to meet our English language requirements, by providing evidence of one of the following tests. These results should have been achieved in the same sitting, and no more than 2 years before the date of application.

Please note that if you have previously attended our University of Cambridge International Summer Programmes you are deemed to have already met this requirement and do not therefore need to provide further proof of English language proficiency.

In order for your results to be verified by our office, please provide the following:

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: your certificate or Test Report Form (TRF) number
• CPE / CAE: via the Cambridge Assessment Candidate Website: https://candidates.cambridgeenglish.org/Members/Login.aspx?M=None please give the University of Cambridge International Summer Programmes permission to view your results
• TOEFL iBT: your full 16-digit registration number and your date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

* Some applicants may have undertaken all or part of their education in English and/or may have extensive experience using English on a regular basis in their professional life, and as such could reasonably be expected to fully participate in our Programmes without the above tests. If you think you may be eligible to apply on this basis (subject to submission of relevant evidence), or if you have any other enquiries about your English language, please contact us before applying at intlang@ice.cam.ac.uk 

Visa guidance

It is important to ensure that you have the correct visa which permits study on the International Summer Programmes. The University of Cambridge must comply with regulations issued by UK Visas and Immigration, part of the government’s Home Office. See Visa Guidance for more information. 

Programme content for each term

• Plenary lecture series: Visions of the future
• Specialist seminar subjects
• Essay writing and small group supervisions
• Project work and group presentations
• Full-day excursion to Oxford
• Evening events, College and museum visits, and social activities including punting and a walking tour of Cambridge
• Afternoon Tea at Madingley Hall
• Formal Closing Dinner in College
• Contact hours: up to 51 hours

Seminars

You choose one specialist seminar from the selection below, giving you the opportunity for more in-depth discussion. Each seminar group meets for eight sessions, and has a maximum of 12 students. The following have been invited to teach seminars:

Applicants must select the term they wish to apply for and can only apply for one term.

See confirmed seminars for Term II 2020 below:

Essay and group supervision

To enable you to get the most out of the programme, you will be required to prepare one essay before you arrive (the title will be provided in advance). Once in Cambridge, you will receive guidance and advice on developing your essay writing skills. Using this advice, you will be given the opportunity to revise your essay before submitting it for marking by your Seminar Leader. You will then receive feedback and comments on your approach to the essay in a small group supervision, replicating the type of experience students in a number of UK universities undergo. Whilst this can be challenging, it is cited as one of the most rewarding aspects of the programme.

Project work and group presentation

You will be given the opportunity to work collaboratively as part of a small group to develop and present on an aspect of the plenary lecture theme. Guidance and support will be provided to help you with your project and presentation.

Teaching staff

Seminars and plenary lectures are taught by leading Cambridge academics and guest subject specialists. All are dedicated to making their sessions academically rigorous and immensely enjoyable. We hope you will be inspired to think and reason in a different way, or to develop new skills transferable to your future study or career.

During your stay you will also have on-site support from dedicated Pre-University Summer Programme staff and current University of Cambridge students.

Intended audience and previous knowledge

To meet this challenge and be part of this globally-diverse programme, you will need to demonstrate that you are independent, academically-motivated, and have very strong English skills. In return, you’ll be introduced to University life through the teaching sessions, written work, classroom discussions, and you will also receive guidance and advice from professional admissions staff about applying to study at a UK University.

Typical day: Monday - Friday

What our students say

“Being so immersed in the Cambridge community made this experience particularly unique and I am very grateful for the boundless opportunities it has granted us. I have come away from this programme with a much clearer idea of what my passions are and what I would like to pursue at University.” Serena Lee, USA

“This experience was wonderful. I met incredible people from all over the world. The variety of cultures and the different ways people would critically think and discuss helped me to see the world with a different lens. Overall I absolutely loved the programme and I would recommend it to anybody who wants to have a taste of university experience.” Sofia Beltrame, Italy

Plenary lecture series: Visions of the future

All students attend a series of daily plenary lectures. Lectures for 2020 were planned to include:

Dr Claire Barlow - Plastic planet
Dr Robin Catchpole - Why might we be alone in the Universe?
Dr Harry Cliff - The future of particle physics
Dr James Gazzard - Visions of your future
Dr Maya Ghoussaini - Genomic medicine: a decade of successes and challenges
Professor Mark Goldie - The University of Cambridge: 800 years in 60 minutes
Dr Andrea Greve - The mysterious life of memories: understanding how your long-term memory works
Dr Nicholas Guyatt - Prisons of the future: incarceration and ‘progress' in 19th-century Britain
Andrew Hatcher - The future of currency
Dr Christopher Markou - Lex Ex Machina: should AI replace lawyers and judges?
Dr Michael Ramage - Super-tall timber: impossibly high wooden skyscrapers
Dr Evaleila Pesaran - Iran
Alison Rose, Principal Newnham College
Dr Pablo Salas Bravo - Climate change and the energy sector
Dr Helen Scales - Why oceans matter
Dr Sara Serradas Duarte - Mobilizing science towards achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
Dr Darshil Shah - The beauty of biomaterials
Hamish Symington - Improving flowers to help feed the world
Dr Matt Symonds - Visions of Rome, or how the past becomes the future
Jenny Thornton - Technology and mobile media in Africa
Dr Erica Wickerson - Why is it worth reading classic works of literature and why is Netflix so appealing?

Debate - naturally - includes predictions about our own future.

College accommodation

You will live and study at Newnham College, where you will be allocated your own single study bedroom, with shared bathroom facilities. We will endeavour to accommodate male / female students on different corridors; in all cases, dedicated staff will also be resident on these corridors. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) will be provided. Please note this is a residential programme, and students cannot arrange their own accommodation.

Accommodation in Newnham College is available for the programme dates only (Sunday 5 - Saturday 18 July 2020 or Sunday 19 July - Saturday 1 August 2020). It is not possible to book accommodation in College outside of these programme dates. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide guidance and advice for early arrivals or late departures.

Dedicated on-site staff

We have a team of dedicated on-site staff who are there to make sure you are safe and provide 24-hour guidance and pastoral care. Our team is made up of current University of Cambridge undergraduates and graduates who are trained to work with the 16-18 age group, and can provide a key insight into life as a University student, as well as a member of staff from the Institute of Continuing Education.

Please note this is a residential programme, and students cannot arrange their own accommodation.

Registration Fee: £630 (15% of the total fee) payable within 14 days of an offer being made by International Summer Programmes.

Please note: payments will be automatically taken in GBP. Please contact us if you wish to make alternative arrangements to pay in your Home / different currency.

The full fee includes:

• All tuition, including plenary lectures, seminars and workshops, essay marking and feedback
• Small group supervisions to discuss individual essays
• 13 nights’ accommodation in College in a single bedroom with shared bathroom facilities (bedding and wi-fi included)
• Full-board (daily breakfast, lunch and dinner), including a formal Closing Dinner
• Dedicated 24 hour staffing, including current University of Cambridge students
• A variety of social and cultural evening events, including a traditional Ceilidh dance
• Talks by University of Cambridge Admissions staff on how to apply to a UK University
• Introductory walking tour of Cambridge and selected Colleges
• A full-day excursion, and visits to places of interest in Cambridge
• Afternoon Tea at Madingley Hall, the historic home of the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education
• Group photo
• Certificate of Attendance
• A ‘University of Cambridge Pre-University Summer Programme' hooded sweatshirt

Please note that the following are NOT included:

• Airfare, airport transfers or pick-up service to and from College in Cambridge
• Visa application and associated costs
• Trip cancellation insurance (travel insurance and assistance plan)
• Full medical insurance, including medical and dental fees and prescriptions
• Provision of computer / laptop / tablet or other devices (students to bring own)
• Spending or souvenir money
• Additional food or snacks outside main meal times
• Personal laundry
• Library, gym access or kitchen facilities

Things to consider

• Getting to Cambridge
• Visa guidance

Before you apply

• Ensure you meet our age requirements
• Ensure you meet our English language requirements
• Read the Terms and Conditions, and ensure you are willing to comply with them

How to apply

Step 1

Download the Code of conduct document which you will need to complete and submit as part of your online application. This form requires a signature from a parent/guardian.

• Code of conduct and parental consent form (Word version)

Step 2

Plan your Personal Statement. You will need to prepare answers to the following 3 questions as part of your online application:

1. What are you planning to study/most interested in studying at University, and why? (200-250 words)
2. What do you hope to gain from our Pre-University Summer Programme? (200-250 words)
3. What do you think will be the most challenging aspect/s of the Pre-University Summer Programme for you? (200-250 words)

Step 3

Approach your referees. As part of the application you will be asked to provide contact details of two referees, who we will contact, asking them to complete a short reference form. Please ensure your referees are aware and have the time to respond, as without your references, we are unable to process your application. Referees must be individuals who are in a position to accurately comment on your academic ability and character (eg a teacher, head of school or department, guidance counsellor or personal tutor/advisor).

Step 4

Click the ‘Book Now’ button next to the Term you would like to apply for. You will be directed to our online application system where you will be taken through the process step by step. 

As part of the ID process for the new booking system you will need to submit a colour photograph of yourself. If you experience any problems with uploading one, please contact us at intenq@ice.cam.ac.uk for advice on how to proceed.

What happens next?

We aim to inform you of the outcome of your completed application when we have received both of your references. Accepted students will be emailed information on how to book and pay online. In order to confirm a place on the programme the Registration Fee and / or the Full Tuition and Accommodation Fees will need to be paid within 14 days of receiving this information. 

Given the limited number of spaces (c.50) on each programme, and to ensure this is an internationally diverse programme, we will need to limit the number of students applying from the same country. Your application may not be accepted for this reason alone, and if so, is in no way a reflection on your suitability for the programme. If these limits are reached on the term you are applying for, we may offer you a place on the other term.

If you will have completed high school education and will be a gap year student by summer 2020, you may wish to consider applying for one of the main International Summer Programmes instead.

Contact us

University of Cambridge International Programmes
Institute of Continuing Education
University of Cambridge
Madingley Hall​
Madingley​
Cambridge
CB23 8AQ

Tel: +44 (0)1223 760850

Email: pup@ice.cam.ac.uk

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from international 16-18 year olds who are currently studying A-levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) or equivalent, and who are considering or planning to study at a leading global university. There is no GPA or equivalent required, but all applicants will need to provide evidence from their school of strong academic achievement and maturity in support of their application.

To ensure diversity of nationalities on each term numbers will be limited with a per country cap.

Applicants must meet both of the following criteria:

• Completion of A level / IB or equivalent studies in 2020 or 2021
• Will generally be aged 17 or 18 at the time of the Pre-University Summer Programme

Please note:

• If you are currently aged 16, you must turn 17 before 31 August 2020
• If you are currently aged 18, you must not turn 19 before 5 July 2020

There will be no exceptions to the above age criteria.

English language requirements

To ensure that all participants are able to benefit and enjoy studying with us, you will need to be confident understanding and following arguments presented in written and spoken English. You will need to demonstrate an appropriate level of English language proficiency*. If English is not your first (that is, your native) language, you will need to meet our English language requirements by providing evidence of one of the following tests. These results should have been achieved in the same sitting, and no more than 2 years before the date of application.

In order for your results to be verified by our office, please provide the following:

• IELTS Academic or IELTS Academic for UKVI: your certificate or Test Report Form (TRF) number
• CPE / CAE: via the Cambridge Assessment Candidate Website: https://candidates.cambridgeenglish.org/Members/Login.aspx?M=None please give the University of Cambridge International Summer Programmes permission to view your results
• TOEFL iBT: your registration number starting with the first non-zero digit and your date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

*We recognise that some applicants may have undertaken, or be undertaking, all or part of their high school education in English (by this we mean studying at a school where English is the main language of instruction, and for a minimum of two years) and could reasonably be expected to fully participate in the Pre-University Summer Programme without the specified tests. If you think you may be eligible to apply on this basis (subject to submission of relevant evidence), or if you have any other enquiries about your English language, please contact us before applying at pup@ice.cam.ac.uk

In this seminar, we will primarily be addressing issues, opportunities, and the future development of the Arctic in the 21st century. This is a region which is increasingly important for three primary reasons. Firstly, it is at the epicentre of a physical state change in the earth. Secondly, it is of supreme strategic importance as a key location for both US and Russian strategic nuclear activities, as a huge natural resource arena. Thirdly, as the location of a potential new global maritime trade route across Eurasia, the Northern Sea Route.  Additionally, it is a working laboratory for contemporary international relations (IR) where established IR theories, practices, and strategies are all being challenged, altered, and sometimes even dismantled.

Concurrently, external advances in dual-use technologies for both economic and geostrategic applications in the Arctic, the rise of a global service economy, China’s entry onto the world stage, and the altering nature of US leadership and politics, coupled with Russian assertiveness, have perhaps surprisingly converged in both the European and Asian Arctic, and to some extent, in Antarctica too. We will be considering why this is so, what is driving these changes in the status of the poles, how change is being orchestrated, and who will benefit from potential alterations in governance, security, economic exploitation and human development in the region(s). 

There are no pre-requisites for this seminar. It is helpful if you have an interest in the international political economy, and you are intrigued by high-level international affairs between the superpowers and understanding how technology is applied across vast remote regions of the world under conditions that demand sustainable development and environmental protection.

Learning outcomes

1. An understanding of the contemporary International Relations of the Polar regions; 
2. An insight into the opportunities and threats to the Polar regions, its economies, and peoples;
3. An increased awareness of how global environmental, and external political, and economic /technology changes and drivers are impacting Arctic and Antarctic life today.

In this seminar, we will primarily be addressing issues, opportunities, and the future development of the Arctic in the 21st century. This is a region which is increasingly important for three primary reasons. Firstly, it is at the epicentre of a physical state change in the earth. Secondly, it is of supreme strategic importance as a key location for both US and Russian strategic nuclear activities, as a huge natural resource arena. Thirdly, as the location of a potential new global maritime trade route across Eurasia, the Northern Sea Route. Additionally, it is a working laboratory for contemporary international relations (IR) where established IR theories, practices, and strategies are all being challenged, altered, and sometimes even dismantled.

Concurrently, external advances in dual-use technologies for both economic and geostrategic applications in the Arctic, the rise of a global service economy, China’s entry onto the world stage, and the altering nature of US leadership and politics, coupled with Russian assertiveness, have perhaps surprisingly converged in both the European and Asian Arctic, and to some extent, in Antarctica too. We will be considering why this is so, what is driving these changes in the status of the poles, how change is being orchestrated, and who will benefit from potential alterations in governance, security, economic exploitation and human development in the region(s). 

There are no pre-requisites for this seminar. It is helpful if you have an interest in the international political economy, and you are intrigued by high-level international affairs between the superpowers and understanding how technology is applied across vast remote regions of the world under conditions that demand sustainable development and environmental protection.

Learning outcomes

1. An understanding of the contemporary International Relations of the Polar regions; 
2. An insight into the opportunities and threats to the Polar regions, its economies, and peoples;
3. An increased awareness of how global environmental, and external political, and economic /technology changes and drivers are impacting Arctic and Antarctic life today.

The recent detection of gravity waves from merging black holes and neutron stars means that light, or more generally, electromagnetic radiation, is no longer the only means we have to explore our universe. But it is still the most important. Light brings us information about its source, gives us a yardstick for measuring distances as well as giving us the unique advantage of being able to look back in time as we look deep into space. With today’s telescopes we can examine the universe the way it was, when it was about 1/20th of its present age. Our earliest view of the universe is the so called microwave background radiation, recently studied by the Planck satellite, which reveals the conditions in our universe when it was about 270,000 years old and 1/1000 its present size.

Although there are many details still to be understood, this is a good time to review what we know. We can tell the story of the evolution of the Universe from when it was a fraction of a second old to the present day and even look into the future.

This double course of 9 lectures and a visit to the Cambridge Institute of Astronomy, starts with an overview of the contents of our Universe from the point of view of an astronomer. This shows that our Universe contains not just the familiar, planets, stars and galaxies, but that clusters of galaxies are immersed in giant haloes of gas so hot they emit X rays, as well as haloes of mysterious dark matter, that outweighs all other matter. On the very largest scale the evolution of the universe is dominated by the even stranger vacuum energy, about which we know even less.

Closer to home, we will see how stars manufacture all the elements that make up our bodies and everything we see around us. Recent observations of gravitational waves from merging neutron stars, suggest that some of these elements such as gold are made during these events.

We will then take a closer look at our own star, the Sun, and see how it works and how it influences our climate. From there we will tour the planets in our solar system and see the great variety of landscapes they offer, as well as how we think they were formed. Despite our solar system being one third of the age of the universe, it is still an active environment, with comets and asteroid collisions that occasionally have serious consequences for our Earth.

Finally, we will consider the possibility that we might be the only conscious observers of our Universe. If this is true it may have a bearing on how we see and even manage our own future.

Learning outcomes

1. To have a deeper understanding of the world around us;
2. To better understand media reports of new astronomical discoveries;
3. To have a broader perspective on our own significance and possible future, within the context of the Universe.

The ‘Liberal World Order’, under which we have lived for the past 30 years, has marked a remarkable period of calm in the evolution of international relations. Preceding it was a Machiavellian and Westphalian world in which sovereign states competed ruthlessly for power, and regularly went to war.

The bankruptcy of this system was made appallingly apparent by the linked calamities of the First and Second World Wars. This led directly to efforts – Woodrow Wilson’s 14 Points, The League of Nations, the UN – to introduce an approach to international order based more on rules and institutions and less on force. Those efforts seemed to reach fulfilment with the end of the Cold War. We have since seen the total military dominance of the United States, the spread of democracy, expanded international attention to breaches of human rights, rapid economic globalisation, and fast growing recourse to international law and institutions as the means to manage problems between states – in short the so called ‘Liberal World Order’.

But within the past decade that system has come under increasing strain. Both China and Russia have shown themselves ready to challenge US dominance. The rise of China in particular threatens a resurrection of great power competition in very much its old Cold War form. Meanwhile the rise of Islamism in the Middle East, and the chaos it has brought, have underlined the inability of the US and other powers to maintain global order and standards. Finally, the linchpin of the system, the US itself, is showing growing signs of unwillingness to continue in the role of ‘Global Policeman’ which has held the whole system together.

We look at this history, current trends, and ask whether we may be heading back towards a Machiavellian world.

Learning outcomes

1. An understanding of what the ‘Liberal World Order’ is, and how it evolved;
2. An understanding of the threats it now faces;
3. Some insight into the developments to look out for over the next few years.

This course is a wide-ranging look at evolution and the history of life, using evidence from the fossil record. Fossils may form in a variety of ways and sometimes soft tissues can be preserved in surprising detail. Exciting finds continue to be made, and new methods of investigation, such as the use of medical imaging techniques, can reveal aspects of ancient life previously unavailable. We will see how fossils and the rocks that contain them can be used to reconstruct not only the organisms themselves but the environments they lived in, and how these changed through time.

One of the sessions will cover natural selection, a process crucial to understanding biological evolution and we will discuss how new species originate.

The course will provide you with an overview of major events in the history of life, such as the Cambrian Explosion, when many different groups of animals make their first appearance in the fossil record about 540 million years ago. Another aspect covered will be mass extinctions and their causes. For example, did a meteorite really wipe out the dinosaurs, ammonites and many other groups at the end of the Cretaceous Period, 65 million years ago?

There will be a chance to study some real fossils on display in the teaching room, and questions will be encouraged throughout. We will finish by briefly discussing current threats to biodiversity and how life might evolve in the future.

Learning outcomes

1. To gain an understanding of how fossils are formed, and how evidence from fossils and the rocks containing them can be used to reconstruct ancient organisms and the environments they lived in;
2. To be able to explain some important evolutionary concepts, such as natural selection, speciation and extinction;
3. To give an outline of major events in the history of life, including mass extinctions and evolutionary radiations.