Miranda Stracey MSci Natural Sciences, 2019

I chose Natural Sciences as I loved the diverse range of the modules available to study across the different science disciplines, which aren’t always offered on a straight science degree. I’m developing a broad range of scientific knowledge and seeing how different disciplines complement each other, which I believe will increase my employability when I graduate.

 

I have the freedom to tailor my degree to my exact interests and career objectives, which is a rare opportunity and not one to be missed. It will make my four years at university far more interesting as I’ll be studying exactly what I want.

The core Natural Sciences group is small and really friendly, which makes it perfect for seminars and developing ideas amongst the group. It’s enabled me to really get to know my course group and have a good relationship with my mentors and lecturers, something I would have missed out on, on a bigger course. The teaching staff have been fantastic. The mentor system is excellent- they are extremely responsive and genuinely care about how you’re finding the course and work load. The ability to schedule meetings with my mentor or tutor whenever I want is extremely helpful, especially if I’m struggling with particular modules and need a bit of guidance. I couldn’t fault them.

Outside of my studies, I’m also part of the Southampton University Ski and Snowboard Club and the Southampton University Athletics Club. Doing sport gives me an outlet from academia and the Southampton societies are really inclusive and welcoming. The socials are lots of fun and I’m enjoying meeting lots of people from different backgrounds and at different stages of study. The Southampton University Ski and Snowboard Club is also going to Tignes at Christmas which I’m really excited about.

I think my best time here so far has been the freshers’ events. I honestly had the best time and formed so many friendships. Southampton freshers week is hard to beat- the acts and guests they get are seriously impressive and University of Southampton Students’ Union (SUSU) put on some great events. With the Southampton University Athletics Club, we also did a 24hr relay for cerebral palsy - this was not only fun, it was also for a really worthy cause.

In the future, I want to work on modifying retro viruses- such as HIV- by transforming plasmids that contain modified genes that can code for a correct immune system, into a deactivated form of HIV and using it to treat people with no immune systems, such as SCID disease. I’d also like to look further into the ageing process by studying telomere regulation and length and the free mitochondrial radical theory of ageing and its relation to diseases such as progeria and dyskeratosis congenita.

For anyone considering applying to Natural Sciences at Southampton, I truthfully cannot say a bad word about my time here so far. I have never been happier and I absolutely love studying the most fascinating and intricate areas of science whilst forming strong friendships with similar minded people.