<p>So I’m a biology-mathematics major, and I’m about to switch my major to a chemistry-mathematics major. I’m interested in biological research, particularly in computational genomics, and stem cell research.</p>
<p>Cambridge has both of those programs, but I’m not sure which candidate would the admissions staff find more attractive (for M.Res and PhD), a biology-mathematics major or a chemistry-mathematics major. Plus, I’m kind of wondering what type of grades would I need to get into Cambridge grad school.</p>
<p>they’re both applicable to the course. I doubt they would give any benefits to either major combination. In regards to research, Chemistry is probably more applicable. I know a couple of friends who went into research with chemistry majors and they said chemistry is almost essential. Also note that Cambridge, for any type of research will regularly ask for chemistry. Even if chemistry is not your intended major or main course, you’ll still need some form of courses in the subject (Of course, programs such as modern languages and social sciences do not need it). Again, I don’t think either major combination will “increase” your chances, as long as it is applicable to the program. I suggest that if you are stuck between the two combinations, pick the one where you believe you will receive the highest GPA. </p>
<p>In regards to entry, the UK system does it differently compared to the US system (as you may know already). Typically, entry for any Cambridge course is a 2:1 honours minimum. Now, it highly depends on what college/ university you have attended for your GPA to translate to the UK system. For example, let’s say MIT/Harvard/Stanford etc. are a couple of the top and most difficult schools (I may not be correct, but just pretend anyway). To translate your GPA into the UK system, a 2:1 honours would be around a GPA of 3.3, where a “first” is a 3.6. However, more average schools such as, not to offend any institution in itself, state schools and perhaps schools such as UCD/UCI etc., the GPA will translate differently. Since, in the perspective of Cambridge, these schools are not considered to be of the same calibre as the schools mentioned earlier, a higher GPA is required. Therefore, normally a 2:1 honours would equal 3.6 GPA where a “first” would yield 3.8. It depends on what college you go to really. </p>
<p>Note that my GPA translation figures may be off by 0.1 or slightly more perhaps (though I doubt it).</p>