Welcome to the Faculty of Science
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Science Postgraduates
Faculty of Science Undergraduates
Science is at the heart of who we are. Connecting us all and running like a thread throughout what we do.
Sharing a passion for interdisciplinary research and teaching, we’re a diverse and inclusive community of students and staff across eight academic departments, nestled in the heart of the historic city of Durham. We’re collaborative, dynamic and at the cutting edge of science research, teaching and engagement.
Our departments
Each of our unique and award-winning departments is ranked among the best in the UK and globally. We take our reputation seriously and pride ourselves on conducting groundbreaking research, providing educational excellence, and recruiting the best and brightest from across the world to help us in our quest.
Biosciences
Our Department of Biosciences’ research spans from Biotechnology and Molecular Sciences to Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Science, tackling global challenges such as food security, sustainable solutions for industrial processes, antimicrobial resistance, climate change and the mechanisms of ageing. Ranked 3rd in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2024, our students develop analytical and practical skills, empowering them to become the next generation of leaders and innovators.
Chemistry
Our Department of Chemistry is a vibrant, researchled hub at the forefront of chemical exploration, with a diverse range of specialisations, including Chemistry for Sustainability, Chemistry for Health, and Chemistry for Change/Discovery, and extensive collaborations with UK and international companies, research institutes, and external bodies. Ranked 5th in the UK by The Complete University Guide 2024, our department is renowned for its rigorous curriculum that nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and hands-on experience, preparing students for successful careers in industry, academia, and beyond.
Find out more about our Department of Biosciences
Find out more about our Department of Chemistry
Computer Science
Our Department of Computer Science is a rapidly expanding centre of innovation, driving cutting-edge research across a wide spectrum of areas, from Artificial Intelligence and Human Systems, to Scientific Computing, Networks, Computing Theory, and Vision and Robotics. Recognised as a UK Top 10 Department by the Complete University Guide 2024, our students not only acquire essential knowledge but also develop portable skills through top-quality teaching, an inclusive community and strong industry links.
Find out more about our Department of Computer Science
Earth Sciences
Our Department of Earth Sciences, ranked in the World Top 50 by the QS World University Rankings 2024, is at the forefront of research in a wide range of critical areas, from Sustainable Resources Management and the transition to Net Zero to the prediction and management of natural hazards. Our world-leading academics are committed to fostering a dynamic learning community, preparing students for impactful careers, and conducting both intrinsically excellent and socially relevant research.
Find out more about our Department of Earth Sciences
Engineering
Our Department of Engineering, ranked 5th in The Complete University Guide 2024, leads cutting-edge research from Advanced Materials and Electronics and Communications to Future Energy Systems and Sustainable Infrastructure. We provide exceptional educational opportunities, fostering national and global interdisciplinary research collaborations, and strong industry links. Our graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects and benefit from a supportive academic environment dedicated to innovation and excellence.
Find out more about our Department of Engineering
Mathematical Sciences
Our Department of Mathematical Sciences integrates world-leading research across a wide range of areas, including Statistics, AI, Pure Maths, Probability, Applied Maths and Mathematical Physics, with a strong commitment to student learning. Ranked 4th in the Complete University Guide 2024, our curriculum puts emphasis on practical experience, equipping students with the skills needed for successful careers across many sectors. Our graduates are highly sought after for their problem-solving abilities and analytical expertise.
Find out more about our Department of Mathematical Sciences
Physics
Our Department of Physics is a dynamic hub for research and education, with world-leading expertise in Astronomy and Cosmology, Particle and Quantum Physics, Space Science, and Advanced Instrumentation. Ranked 2nd in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2024 and in the World Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, we take pride in providing students with an educational experience that closely mirrors the researchintensive ethos of the University.
Find out more about our Department of Physics
Psychology
Our Department of Psychology is a welcoming and supportive community committed to everyone’s success. We excel in research across a wide range of areas, including Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Psychology, Behavioural Science, and Quantitative Social Psychology. Ranked in the Top 10 Psychology Departments in The Complete University Guide 2024 and the World Top 100 in QS World University Rankings we take pride in our research-led education and an inclusive learning community
Find out more about our Department of Pschology
Our programmes
Undergraduate study
Discover over 35 unique and individual science programmes taking place across our departments. Learners can specialise in cutting-edge fields from Chemistry to Computer Science, Psychology to Physics, Earth Science to Engineering, or tailor their degree with the flexibility of our Natural Sciences programme (ranked 2nd in UK by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide).
Postgraduate highlights
Our Faculty of Science postgraduate study programmes cultivate future-ready graduates who become engaged leaders. We provide state-of-the-art skills, robust industry connections, and a dynamic curriculum. This commitment empowers our graduates to excel, drive innovation across academia, government, and industry sectors, and inspire the extraordinary.
Find out more about MDS
MDS
Our innovative cross-disciplinary Master of Data Science (MDS) addresses the increasingly important role data plays across all areas of our lives. Designed for graduates without extensive quantitative backgrounds, our MDS empowers them to thrive in a data-driven world, regardless of their original discipline. It is coordinated centrally by the Faculty of Science and provides the opportunity to study a
Find out more about Engineering
Find out more about MiSCADA
Engineering
Our Engineering master’s programmes leverage our world-leading research and deep industry partnerships to develop the next generation of problem-solving engineers. Graduates in fields like Civil Engineering, Renewable Energy, or Biomedical Engineering are prepared to
MiSCADA
From general science to engineering and finance, the future will be driven by those able to master large-scale computing and handle the most challenging computations and data sets with extreme volume or velocity. The Durham MSc in Scientific Computing and Data Analysis (MiSCADA) trains learners in these areas, equips them with essential professional skills, and gives
programme rich in the substance of data science. This course with a hard-core of data science will provide you with a Masters-level education focused on data science. Whether you have a background in social sciences, arts and humanities or any other discipline without data science at its core, this programme provides a range of options for you.
tackle global challenges and drive change. For those seeking to shape the future and solve real-world problems, Engineering at Durham University — with its strong focus on research and industry partnerships — is the catalyst.
them the opportunity to apply all acquired knowledge to solve critical challenges from a computational specialisation area. This programme is ideal for learners with strong mathematical and programming foundations who are ready to discover how modern scientific computing and data analysis tools work.
Student societies
Science societies and student stories
Durham University Solar Car
The Durham University Solar Car project has been pushing technical boundaries since its inception in 2002. The society comprises of a team of 50 innovative Durham students who love to push their engineering skills to new levels. As a student-run and student-led team, they design and build solar cars which they race in international events against
Durham University Spaceflight Society
The Durham University Spaceflight society unites students from across the Faculty of Science and the wider University with a shared love of space. Recently the society has taken part in the Mach23 national launch competition in Scotland. A prestigious event held at a future Spaceport in Argyll, the competition provides university students an opportunity to develop practical, hands-on mechanical and electronics skills, with industrial technical support provided to the teams remotely.
other world-leading solar teams. The society is the longest-running team of its kind in the UK, having developed five generations of solar car and engaged and inspired young people from across the North-East, as well as competed in multiple solar car challenges across the world.
Find out more
Our team flew the Rosemary I on her maiden launch to a height of 3027m, less than 1% away from the target altitude of 3km, whilst reaching a speed of 1.1 Mach! With this outstanding result, DUSF were able to win the 3km combined entry category of the competition against 7 other university teams from across the UK.
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Alumni successes
Our alumni network is filled with inspiring people doing extraordinary things all over the world. Across the field of science and beyond, Durham graduates continue to engage with us, sharing their successes and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Natasha Boulding, Phil Buckley and Scott Bush
Durham University start-up Low Carbon Materials were announced as one of three international finalists in the Fix Our Climate category in the world’s most prestigious environmental prize, The Earthshot Prize 2022. Durham alumni Natasha Boulding, Phil Buckley and Scott Bush graduated from their Chemistry PhD studies in 2019 with a passion for saving the planet and an idea formulated as part of a mini MBA innovation challenge run by Peter Allen at Durham University Business School.
Dr Rosemary Coogan
We’re exceptionally proud to say that Durham graduate Dr Rosemary Coogan has been named as a new generation astronaut. Rosemary, who holds two master’s degrees from Durham, was one of 17 successful candidates chosen from more than 22,500 applicants by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Image credit - ESA – P. Sebirot
Jonathan Hazan
Durham Alumnus Jonathan Hazan has had a long and distinguished career since graduating from our Department of Computer Science in 1991. Jonathan is an inaugural member of the Department of Computer Science’s External Advisory Board. His advice, insights and support have been invaluable in the establishment of the Hazan Venture Lab at Durham University. This purpose-built hub for student enterprise is the first of its kind in the UK Higher Education sector and is aimed at nurturing and cultivating a vibrant community of student and graduate entrepreneurs here at Durham.
Our research
Our research seeks to empower and inspire. We push forward, exploring new horizons and uncovering hidden worlds. We dive deeper, go faster and aim higher. Asking the big questions and getting answers.
Discoveries in space
A team of astronomers, led by Dr James Nightingale from our Department of Physics, has discovered one of the biggest black holes ever found by taking advantage of a phenomenon called gravitational lensing.
Gravitational lensing - where a foreground galaxy bends the light from a more distant object and magnifies it – and supercomputer simulations on the DiRAC HPC facility, enabled the team to closely examine how light is bent by a black hole inside a galaxy hundreds of millions of light-years from Earth. The team simulated light travelling through the Universe hundreds of thousands of times, with each simulation including a different mass black hole, changing light’s journey to Earth.
Swifts at Durham Cathedral
Leading scientists from our Department of Biosciences and Mathematical Sciences are encouraging breeding swifts to nest by setting up high powered speakers in Durham Cathedral’s iconic Belfry Tower.
This pioneering project was designed and funded by Edward Twiddy, one of our Professors in Practice and a founder of Atom Bank, with whom we share a strategic partnership to carry out collaborative research to protect the environment.
The high-power speakers will be installed 60ft above the ground in Belfry Tower and broadcast the sound of swift calls early in the morning and again in late afternoon and evening.
The researchers are hoping that the sound produced by the speakers will attract young birds looking for their first nest site and guide them to the nest boxes that were installed last year inside the bell chamber at the top of the tower.
Future of renewable energy
A £7.7 million partnership with some of our key industry partners is aiming to make offshore wind energy cheaper to produce. The partnership between the universities of Durham, Sheffield, and Hull, and energy companies Ørsted and Siemens Gamesa has developed ways to make wind turbine generators more efficient, reliable, lighter and cheaper.
As part of the collaborative project, the team at Durham has developed new techniques to monitor the condition of wind turbines which will enable energy companies to predict issues and faults earlier as they develop.
Robotic bees
A leading scientist from our Department of Computer Science has collaborated with researchers from University of Graz, Czech Technical University and Middle East Technical University to build robotic bee replicants that will affect the whole ecosystem.
Dr Farshad Arvin is leading the RoboRoyale project, where he is combining miniature robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for the robotic bees to have interactions with the honeybees’ queen, such as stimulate egg laying in the queen by feeding her the right foods at the right time.
Fetuses react to taste and smell in the womb
Our psychologists have shown the first direct evidence that babies react differently to various smells and tastes while in the womb by looking at their facial expressions. Durham’s Fetal Neonatal Research Lab led on the study which took 4D ultrasound scans of 100 pregnant women who had taken either carrot or kale capsules beforehand. Other studies have suggested that babies can taste and smell in the womb, but they are based on post-birth outcomes while our study is the first to see these reactions before birth.
Find out more
Staff stories
Our work would not be possible without the commitment to scientific exploration, focus on educational excellence and inspirational leadership shown by staff across the Faculty of Science. This is a place where ideas converge and our individual stories come together to create a welcoming, diverse, and ultimately inspiring place to work, learn and live.
Professor Fuschia Sirois
Professor
Jas Pal Badyal FRS
Professor Fuschia Sirois from our Department of Psychology is a globally renowned expert on self-regulation and well-being and has recently been appointed as joint Editor-in-Chief of the British Journal of Health Psychology, a journal of the British Psychological Society.
Fuschia will share the post with Professor Andrew Thompson of Cardiff University, bringing together their expertise in health psychology (Fuschia) and clinical health psychology (Andrew).
Professor Jas Pal Badyal is an internationally recognised research chemist in our Department of Chemistry and has served as the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Welsh Government since February 2023. In his role, Professor Badyal is responsible for developing the Welsh Government’s science capability and advancing the country’s capacity as a world leader for technological innovations. In addition to supporting the growth of a strong science and research base in Wales, Professor Badyal continues his role at Durham University.
Find out more
Professor Sue Black OBE is an award-winning Computer Scientist, Technology Evangelist and Digital Skills Expert. Sue was awarded an OBE for “services to technology” in the 2016 Queen’s New Year’s Honours list and founded the trailblazing TechUP programme within our Department of Computer Science which upskills people from underserved communities into careers in the technology sector.
In recognition of her work, Sue was inducted into the Diversity Power List in 2022. Honouring 50 of the UK’s most inclusive and inspirational people and celebrating her commitment to using technology as a force for good.
Professor Carlos Frenk is the Ogden Professor of Fundamental Physics in our Department of Physics and founder and former director of our Institute for Computational Cosmology. As one of the world’s most highly cited researchers and a leading figure in cosmology research, he was elected to the council of the Royal Society in July 2023.
As part of this prestigious position, Professor Frenk is responsible for the policy and management of the Royal Society and plays a crucial role in promoting excellence in science for the benefit of humanity.
Professor Karen Johnson from our Department of Engineering has been awarded the Royal Society’s Rosalind Franklin Award. The award recognises Karen’s achievements in environmental engineering and her commitment to engaging women in STEM subjects.
The award includes funding to put towards a relevant project and Karen has teamed up with colleagues across the University and beyond to develop a four-year project to engage ‘Generation Alpha’, those born between the 2010s and 2020s, in soil health and raise awareness of the role of civil engineering in caring for soil.
Professor Carlos Frenk FRS
Professor Sue Black OBE
Professor Karen Johnson
Our partners
Across the Faculty of Science we work directly with key industry partners to support our work, inform our research and build strong links between our students, staff and wider industry.
Take a look at some of our key partnerships:
P&G
Our award-winning strategic partnership with P&G has enabled unique and globally scalable innovations that have improved billions of consumers’ lives around the world.
Ørsted
Our partnership with the leading offshore wind developer in the world Ørsted, looks to utilise innovation, research and new technology to address the issues that arise from climate change.
Northumbrian Water
Our award-winning project in partnership with Northumbrian Water aims to end sewer misery by preventing tree root intrusion into pipelines. This initiative was recently awarded a share of £40 million in Ofwat’s latest innovation competition – the Water Breakthrough Challenge.
Siemens
We are working with key strategic partner Siemens on The Centre for Energy Systems Integration (CESI) which aims to reduce the risks associated with securing an integrated energy system for the UK.
Atom Bank
Our partnership with Durham based Atom Bank, the UK’s first app-based bank, enables us to carry out collaborative research that addresses longer term opportunities and challenges facing both organisations and wider society, such as climate change.
Northern Power Grid, British Gas, EA Technology, Ofgem Low Carbon Networks Fund
We are working with partners from Northern Power Grid, British Gas, EA Technology, Ofgem Low and Carbon Networks Fund on the Customer-Led Network. The project is at the forefront of research into how UK electricity networks can rise to the challenges presented by a low carbon future.
Our engagement
Through a range of award-winning activities, we work collaboratively with young people, their teachers and the wider community to stimulate interest in science.
To us, Science Engagement is a broad and inclusive endeavour; it describes the multiple ways that we connect, listen to, share and involve people with our work locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. We interact and
collaborate with people, industries, charities, community groups, schools, businesses, creative organisations and government, sharing expertise, research, education, and co-producing new ideas and developments.
Here’s a flavour of the kind of work we conduct across the Faculty of Science:
Celebrate Science
Celebrate Science is a free family science festival hosted by Durham University, that takes place across three days during the local schools’ October halfterm holiday. It includes a wide range of inspiring and engaging science-themed activities which take place in a marquee on Palace Green in Durham’s historic City Centre.
Celebrate Science offers a unique opportunity for our staff and students to engage directly with our local community and share with them some of our worldleading research and teaching. The aim of Celebrate Science is to inspire young people to study science in the future, while putting the University at the heart of a fun community event.
Durham University Schools’ Science Festival
The annual Durham University Schools’ Science Festival welcomes school students from across the region for a three-day festival. Students participate in hands-on, interactive workshops highlighting realworld science from across our departments in both the Faculty of Science and the wider University.
Science Ambassadors
The Science Ambassadors project began in 2011, with the mission of supporting young people to become ambassadors for science within their own schools and communities. The programme aims to increase young people’s confidence, science capital and transferable skills giving them ownership over the project and supporting them in engaging and inspiring others. To date, the project has worked with over 2800 young people in the North East.
TechUPWomen
Our multi award-winning programme, TechUPWomen is a trailblazing initiative which takes women from underserved communities and retrains them for rewarding and lucrative careers in the technology sector.
Developed closely with key industry partners, the programme combines a mix of training in relevant tech skills, one-to-one mentoring, empowerment and confidence building. Our flexible approach to training ensures that anyone can benefit, whatever their learning style and other commitments.
As a mark of the impact of this groundbreaking programme, our recent graduates have found new roles or promotions in a wide range of industries including: manufacturing, software, education, service and the public sector.
Futures in STEM and Rod Taylor Futures
Futures in STEM is an online academic and pastoral support programme, targeted at students who are aiming to pursue the study of chemistry, maths or physics at university. We are excited to be able to offer our participants the opportunity to take part in a variety of online subject specific tutorials, mentoring, guest lectures and activities designed to prepare them for university study to help make sure they are ready to apply for and succeed in Higher Education.
Participants experience what it is like to be a part of Durham University, with regular contact with tutors, mentors and academics from across the Faculty of Science. Futures in STEM is a fun, encouraging and intellectually stimulating introduction to Durham University and studying at university. For those wishing to study engineering, we also offer the associated Rod Taylor Futures programme, where participants who progress to an engineering degree continue to be supported with a one-off financial scholarship, pastoral support and ongoing opportunities, such as internships.
Research institutes
Biophysical Sciences Institute
Durham Energy Institute
Institute for Computational Cosmology
Institute for Data Science
Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology
Institute of Advanced Study
Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing
Research centres
Advanced Instrumentation, Centre for
Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution Research Centre
Communications Systems, Centre for
Condensed Matter Physics
Crop Improvement Technology, Centre for
Culture and Ecology, Centre for
DurhamARCTIC Research Centre
Durham CELLS (Centre for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences)
Durham Centre for Bioimaging Technology (DCBT)
Durham Centre for Soft Matter
Durham Cultural Evolution Research Centre
Durham Geochemistry Centre
Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre (DISC)
Environmental and Energy Economics, Centre for
Innovation and Technology Management, Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, Durham Centre for
Learning and Memory Processes (LAMP)
Molecular and Nanoscale Electronics, Centre for
Neurodiversity & Development, Centre for
Particle Theory, Centre for
Physics Education and Scholarship
Quantum Light and Matter (QLM)
Research into Inner Experience, Centre for (CRIE)
Research Methods Centre
Space Research Centre (SpaRC)
Sustainable Chemical Processes, Centre in
Vision and Visual Cognition, Centre for
XRDur (Durham X-Ray Centre)
Faculty of Science
Chemistry Building, Lower Mountjoy, South Road, Durham
DH1 3LE
durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/science
@durhamuniversity
@durham uni
durhamuniversity
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