The School of Science is born

1865

Following Johnston's death in 1855, Chevallier did his best to maintain the momentum to create a School of Science, but he was only partly successful. Within the Arts Faculty, a School of Science was founded in 1865, teaching Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Mining and Engineering, but it would not operate for long. There is little conflict between teaching and research at this time, as there are only around 44 students in the entire University. In 1866, 90 percent of students are ordinands.

1871

In 1869 William Charles Lake was appointed to the Durham Deanery. He had little good to say about Durham University, saying it was in a state of decay, only useful to educate clergymen. 

Lak decided the Durham School of science should suppress fellowships to provide financial aid to a new college in Newcastle. In 1871, science teaching begins in the College of Physical Science, which will eventually be known as Armstrong College.

Durham once again became known only to teach divinity and arts. Due to the railway communications and growing industry, Newcastle was believed much better suited to science. They also created a school of medicine.

By this time, late in the 19th century, science was no longer an amateur pursuit. It had become a professional full-time occupation. New universities were built with origins in local industry, like Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield. In these places, science and technology were important from the start, with foundational professorships in experimental science, mining and geology.

1896

The 1965 School of Science had introduced a new B.A. in Mathematics and Physical Sciences, which featured less Greek and Latin, and included questions on Euclid and calculus, mechanics and some astronomy. As late as 1899, the basic degree in Durham was a Classics B.A., only including small amounts of Euclid and Mathematics. Below are some example exam questions from 1896:

Admission for Arts

Besides these papers below, prospective students would also have to qualify with translations of one Greek and one Latin author.

Final Examination

There would be translations of Greek, Latin and Hebrew, as well as the following examples. Students also sat papers in 'Differential and Integral Calculus and Differential Equations', as well as 'Algebra and Trigonometry' and 'Mechanics and Hydrostatics'.