Science must be dynamic in response to complex problems. Acquisition and application of new knowledge are critical for science students in developing agency and stewardship of the world. The Upper School Science Department prepares students to make meaningful contributions as ethical, global citizens in solving real-world problems and working to create a more just society. Science students formulate questions, evaluate which questions are best to pursue, and develop answers to those questions. Students develop collaboration skills and communicate data-driven ideas and findings to diverse audiences. We maximize opportunities for curiosity and creativity, failing forward, advocacy, and social responsibility.
Experiential learning — doing science — is the central feature of the Durham Academy science program. Our program has these major emphases:
Class of 2025: recommended course of study is biology, physics and chemistry. Any deviation must be approved by the science academic leader and the registrar.
Class of 2026 and beyond: Students are required to take three years of laboratory-based science in sequence — Physics (grade 9), Chemistry (grade 10) and Biology (grade 11).
Evaluate claims for scientific validity and bias in order to develop opinions and make informed decisions.
Formulate testable questions and apply the scientific method to investigate possible solutions.
Model phenomena that are difficult to observe directly.
Analyze data and draw conclusions to support evidence-based claims or design decisions.
Communicate data-driven ideas and findings so that they can be understood by diverse audiences.
Apply knowledge and processes of science and engineering to engage in public discussions on issues relevant to a changing world.
Physics — the required first course of the Durham Academy Upper School science sequence — facilitates the development of the learning and collaborative skills that students will expand and refine throughout the three-year core science sequence.
Chemistry is a course designed to introduce students to fundamental ideas about the matter and energy that make up our world, and to explore different techniques scientists use in their investigations.
Honors Chemistry covers many of the same topics as Chemistry but in greater depth. Emphasis is placed on mathematical as well as conceptual understanding of chemical principles.
Biology is a dynamic and exciting opportunity for students to engage in the intersection of biology, sustainability, and equity while exploring several major branches within the field of biology: evolutionary, ecological, organismal, molecular, and cellular.
This laboratory-based course focuses on human anatomy and physiology. Students will take a deep dive into the structure and function of specific body systems (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous), followed by a focused overview of other body systems (circulatory, respiratory, digestive, immune, endocrine, reproductive, and excretory).
Astronomy will enable students to understand and apply the scientific principles guiding astronomical phenomena. We’ll explore topics ranging from the solar system, to stars and galaxies, to black holes and the fate of the universe.
In this course, students become part of regional and national efforts to shape our landscapes into more sustainable environments for wildlife and humans. Starting with an exploration of evolutionary processes, students will discover how and why organisms adapt to their environments and the causes of species extinction.
From the seven plagues of Egypt, to the emergence of diseases like HIV and Ebola, and superbugs like MRSA and tuberculosis, mankind has waged war against the unseen.
This course introduces students to design thinking, core maker tools, safety protocols, CAD software, Arduino programming, fabrication methods, and engineering design fundamentals.
This semester-long elective digs deeply into the interplay between justice and science, unraveling the intricate threads that connect these two domains. Students will embark on a thought-provoking exploration of the role science plays in shaping our societal framework.
Building on the first courses in biology and chemistry, students in this Advanced course will explore more complex content and experimental practices used by biologists. The Advanced Biology course will approach biological concepts through inquiry-based learning, using a combination of research and project-based learning, case studies, and laboratory experiments.
This Advanced course is an in-depth exploration of topics and experimental techniques introduced in a standard first-year college chemistry curriculum. ADV Chemistry includes a more sophisticated treatment of many of the topics studied in Honors Chemistry, as well as additional topics such as thermodynamics, quantitative kinetics, and acid/base chemistry.
Students in ADV Environmental Science will explore global and local environmental issues, tackling complex problems such as climate change, air and water pollution, energy generation, resource extraction, unchecked urban development, and inequitable exposure to environmental risks.
How does a shark bite heal? What does it mean to receive a diagnosis? How do we decide who gets an organ for transplant? In this course, students will become confident reading about, discussing, and questioning medical topics.
In this Advanced course, students will gain an understanding of advanced topics in physics built from a calculus-based study of electricity and magnetism. Core topics will include electrostatics, circuits, and magnetism.
In this Advanced course, students will gain an understanding of advanced topics in physics built from a calculus-based study of mechanics. Topics addressed will include statics, dynamics, energy, momentum, and rotation.