This course introduces students to the fundamental ideas used to describe physical phenomena in the natural world. Topics include Newtonian mechanics, energy, wave behavior and optics, and electricity and magnetism. The course emphasizes conceptual understanding and basic algebra-based problem solving, helping students develop physical intuition and recognize patterns in how physical systems behave.

Laboratory work focuses on observation, measurement, and interpretation of data. Students practice collecting and analyzing experimental results, representing physical relationships using graphs and logical explanations, and communicating scientific conclusions. The course is designed to build scientific literacy and provide a broad introduction to the principles that govern the physical world.

Astronomy is the oldest of the sciences. Long before written history, humans studied the patterns of the sky to mark seasons, navigate the world, and make sense of their place within it. This course traces that journey from those earliest observations to modern scientific understanding of the universe. Topics include the origins and history of astronomy, the structure and exploration of the solar system, Earth as our home world, the Milky Way galaxy, and the cosmos at large. Along the way, students encounter stars so vast they rival the size of the solar system and objects far smaller than the Sun whose gravity is so strong that no light can escape. Also brought into focus are deeper questions at the heart of modern science: the nature of time, the nature of space and place, what it means for something to exist and be observable, and how knowledge itself is constructed. The course combines scientific study with project-based work and philosophical position arguments, requires little formal mathematics, and makes use of the observatory and planetarium to bring the cosmos closer to home through direct and indirect observation of the universe in which we find ourselves.

Prerequisites: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology

Neuroscience is the study of how the brain creates perception, movement, emotion, and thought. This elective explores the brain from the ground up—beginning with neurons and synapses and then moving to circuits, sensory processing, and cognition. Students examine how neurons communicate, how the brain processes vision and other senses, and how learning and memory emerge from neural networks. We will also explore neurological disorders, the impact of injury on brain function, and the ways in which neuroscience intersects with psychology and medicine. Discussions, hands-on activities, and case studies will bring key concepts to life, deepening our understanding of the biological basis of behavior. Whether you are interested in biology, psychology, or medicine, this course will challenge you to think critically about how the brain shapes our experience of the world.

Prerequisites: Physics, Chemistry and Biology

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the engineering field through the lens of the Engineering Design Process. Students will advance their problem-solving skills by engaging in project-oriented learning that spans the entire development cycle: ideation, planning, and design through to construction, testing, and iteration. Beyond technical application, students will hone professional communication and presentation skills. Technical components include 3D modeling, robotics programming, and app development. This course is recommended for students with a strong STEM background and a dedicated interest in engineering.

This college-level course is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of biology and, ultimately, prepare them for the Advanced Placement Biology examination. Topics covered include molecular and cellular biology (including recent advances in biotechnology), genetics, evolution, and ecology. Laboratory work integrates both guided and independent inquiry with a focus on deepening comprehension of key concepts. An end-of-year trip to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City offers students an interactive opportunity to revisit and forge connections between the diverse concepts explored throughout the course. The course puts a heavy emphasis on daily student engagement and participation, with students expected to come ready to write on topics and lean-into discussions each day.

Prerequisites: Physics and Chemistry Honors, and high school Biology preferred. Students seeking enrollment in an Advanced Placement science course need departmental approval. The department will discuss each AP candidate, giving emphasis to previous achievement in science and mathematics courses at Westminster, but also looking at humanities coursework at Westminster, given the volume of reading and writing in AP Biology; work ethic, study skills, and ability to learn independently.

This second-year course in chemistry is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Chemistry examination. Topics covered include atomic theory, solution stoichiometry, chemical bonding, kinetics, acid-base chemistry, thermodynamics, oxidation-reduction reactions, and electrochemistry. Emphasis is placed on the development of problem-solving skills and a thorough understanding of the laboratory exercises recommended by the College Board. Ample time is provided to review and practice for the AP exam, which takes place in early May.

Prerequisites: Physics Honors, Chemistry Honors, and/or department approval. The department will discuss each AP candidate, giving emphasis to previous achievement in science and mathematics courses at Westminster, work ethic, study skills, and ability to learn independently.

AP Physics C is a college-level physics course that develops a deep understanding of the foundational principles that shape classical physics. By confronting complex physical situations or scenarios, the course is designed to enable students to develop the ability to reason about physical phenomena using important science practices, such as creating and analyzing representations of physical scenarios, designing experiments, analyzing data, and using mathematical techniques, including computer simulations, to model and to solve problems. Students will practice reasoning skills used by physicists by discussing and debating, with peers, the physical phenomena investigated in class, as well as by designing and conducting inquiry-based laboratory investigations to solve problems through firsthand observations, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. This course prepares students for both of the AP Physics C Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism exams, providing a full introduction to first year collegiate physics. 

Prerequisite: Physics Honors, Chemistry Honors, Biology Honors, and/or department approval. Students must also have completed Calculus or be concurrently enrolled in AP Calculus AB. The department will discuss each AP candidate, giving emphasis to previous achievement in science and mathematics courses at Westminster, work ethic, study skills, and ability to learn independently.

The objective of this hands-on capstone course is for students to synthesize knowledge from physics, chemistry, and biology to solve complex problems in forensic science. In addition to learning forensic analysis techniques, students will learn about crime scene and evidence law, and the course will culminate in a multiple-week crime scene analysis during which students will work together to apply all that they have learned during the year to attempt to solve the crime.

Prerequisites: Physics, Chemistry and Biology

This yearlong hands-on capstone course has students focused on investigating one or more scientific questions of their choice (with approval from the instructor). Students use their knowledge and skills learned in physics, chemistry, and biology as a foundation for diving more deeply into one or more areas of personal interest. Assessment is based on students’ ability to execute scientific investigations; communicate findings; and analyze procedures and data thoughtfully.

Prerequisites: Physics, Chemistry and Biology