About the programme

We offer two programmes of advanced study in Science and Religion – MSc, and PhD. If you are interested in PhD study, the programme director Mark Harris would be very pleased to hear from you; the same is also true for our MSc. But first some details about the MSc…

Our MSc programme in Science and Religion explores the many ways in which these two basic forms of human seeking-after-truth inform, interact and collide with each other.

The recent ‘New Atheist’ debate gives the impression that science and religion are engaged in a fight to the death. While it’s true that there are serious points of conflict, the relationship between science and religion is much more complicated and much more subtle, as a well-informed view of the history and philosophy of science demonstrates.

This dedicated masters programme aims to inform and engage with the science-religion debate in depth, looking at it from scientific, theological, philosophical, historical, and ethical perspectives. It provides a strong grounding in these issues. The history of science and its interaction with religion is studied from ancient times through the modern scientific revolution, together with philosophical trends in our understanding of reality.

The main areas of dialogue between science and religion are explored in depth,
including cosmology, evolution, divine action and miracles, consciousness and the
human person.

Programme structure

This postgraduate programme is run over 12 months full time (or 24 months part time)
and is taught mainly in small groups in a seminar setting. Students are given
training in research methods and receive individual supervision in order to write an original 15,000-word research dissertation.

  • The History of Science and Religion in the Christian Tradition
  • Cosmos, Cell and Creator: Current Debates in Science and Religion
  • Approaches to Research in Divinity and Religious Studies

OPTIONS COURSES

Students choose three further courses as part of the MSc, from subjects such as Ecology, Ethics and Spirit; Philosophical Issues in Evolution; Science and Scripture, the Ethics of Climate Change; and Science and Religion in Literature. Students may also opt for optional courses from elsewhere in the University.

For more information see the MSc in Science and Religion pages on the School of Divinity website.