Philosophy & History of Science

This is a full-year course that offers a historical exploration of the development of scientific thinking. Students will study the works and ideas of significant scientific thinkers, beginning with Ancient Greek scholars and their contributions to medicine and science. The course will cover major scientific theories such as continental drift, Darwinian evolution, the "Big Bang," chaos theory, and quantum physics. Through discussion boards, students will engage with their peers on thought-provoking topics, including the scientific method, the prevention of scientific investigation, and more.

The curriculum includes the study of primary sources from thinkers such as Hippocrates, Archimedes, Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Mendel, Darwin, and Einstein. Students will investigate the meteor that likely caused the extinction of the dinosaurs, explore the history of humans' relationship with the cosmos, delve into the struggles and contributions of lesser-known scientists, and learn about scientific developments in Ancient Egypt, China, and the Middle East.