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. Using "Understanding the Brain" by John Dowling as our guide, we will 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 will provide students with an opportunity to explore all that engineering has to offer. Students will learn about and implement the engineering design process. Students will advance their problem-solving skills and will examine how engineers help shape and create our world. This course will be project-oriented and involve all stages of engineering from ideation, planning, and design to building, testing, and re-testing. In addition, the professional skills of communication and presentation will be explored. Students will use software technology such as 3-D modeling software, coding for robotics, and app design technology. This course is recommended for students who have a strong background in STEM courses and are interested 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. 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, 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, 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, Chemistry, Biology Honors, and/or department approval. Students must also have completed Calculus or be concurrently enrolled in AP Calculus BC. 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.