All Upper School students will take biology in Class V, chemistry in Class VI, and one semester of physics in Class VII. Students with interest in science are encouraged to take three or four years of science in the Upper School. Admission to honors and AP courses is by department decision, based on past performance in science courses and math courses, when relevant. Students should indicate preference for honors and AP courses at the time of course selection, and a final decision will be made by the department. Students will be contacted by the head of the science department only if their placement does not match their request. All science courses are major courses, unless otherwise noted.

Class V Courses 

Biology (1 credit)

Throughout this course, students are asked to investigate the biological world around them. This course will primarily be a molecular and cellular biology course, focusing on the biochemistry that gives rise to and sustains life on this planet. In the classroom and laboratory, the course considers an interwoven range of topics: cell structure and function, cellular biochemistry, energy flow in cellular respiration and photosynthesis, DNA structure and function, heredity and genetics, natural and sexual selection, ecology, and related bioethical issues. Laboratory work is designed to build skills and to develop an understanding of the scientific process through experimental design and critical thinking. Students collaborate to design and conduct a long-term experiment on a biological topic of their choice that culminates in a presentation of their findings in a scientific poster session.

Class VI Courses

Chemistry (1 credit)

This course provides an introduction to the major concepts of chemistry. Topics typically include atomic structure, the modern periodic table, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, thermochemistry, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, and redox reactions. An emphasis is placed on mastering chemistry fundamentals, modeling, and exploring real-world applications of chemical theory. Problem solving involves both qualitative and quantitative analyses and uses basic algebraic skills. Laboratory experiments and demonstrations illustrate the concepts and emphasize their connection to everyday life. 

Honors Chemistry (1 credit)

This course covers atomic structure, the modern periodic table, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, thermochemistry, equilibrium and reaction rates, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, and thermodynamics. An emphasis is placed on the development of advanced problem-solving skills, including thorough mathematical reasoning. The quantitative component of the course is balanced with qualitative analysis, modeling, and application of chemical concepts to the world around us. Through designing experiments as well as analyzing results, students illustrate theory in the laboratory. Open to Class VI students by department decision.

Class VII Courses

All students in Class VII are required to take the first semester of Physics or Honors Physics. The second semester of Physics or Honors Physics is strongly recommended. Students taking both semesters of Physics or Honors Physics will receive one credit for the yearlong course, and a year grade on their final transcript. Students taking only the fall or spring semester will receive 0.5 credits and a semester grade on their final transcript.

Class VIII students who were unable to complete their Class VII physics requirement due to attendance at
The Mountain School, School for Ethics and Global Leadership, or School Year Abroad are required to take the first semester of physics in Class VIII. In this case, Physics 1 or Honors Physics 1 satisfies the Class VIII quantitative requirement. Students will also be allowed to enroll in the second semester of physics for the weeks preceding their ILE. 

Physics (1 credit)

Students taking Physics will cover the curriculum of Physics 1 and Physics 2. Students who wish to take a full year of physics at Winsor should sign up for the yearlong course, not the semester courses.

Physics 1 (0.5 credits, fall)

This course offers a standard mechanics syllabus including motion, forces, energy, momentum, circular motion, gravitation, and simple harmonic motion. Although development of mathematical skills is an important part of the course, this course strongly emphasizes a conceptual, hands-on approach as well as the application of physical principles to everyday experience. Extensive use is made of laboratory experiments and demonstrations.  

Physics 2 (0.5 credits, spring)

Second semester physics covers the study of waves, sound and music, optics, electricity, and, if time permits, magnetism. Like Physics 1, the development of mathematical skills is an important part of the course, but this course strongly emphasizes a conceptual, hands-on approach as well as the application
of physical principles to everyday experience. Extensive use is made of laboratory experiments and demonstrations. Prerequisite: Physics 1.

Honors Physics (1 credit)

Students taking Honors Physics will cover the curriculum of Honors Physics 1 and Honors Physics 2. Students who wish to take a full year of honors physics at Winsor should sign up for the yearlong course, not the semester courses.

Honors Physics 1 (0.5 credits, fall)

This course offers a standard mechanics syllabus including one- and two-dimensional motion, forces, energy, momentum and impulse, circular motion, gravitation, and simple harmonic motion. The approach is both mathematical and conceptual; it emphasizes the connection of ideas to everyday life and stresses the development of problem-solving strategies in quantitative applications. Extensive use is made of laboratory experiments and demonstrations. Open to students by department decision. 

Honors Physics 2 (0.5 credits, spring)

The second semester of Honors Physics continues with the study of waves, sound and music, physical and geometric optics, electrostatics, circuits, and magnetism. Extensive use is made of laboratory experiments and demonstrations. Prerequisite: Honors Physics 1. Open to students by department decision.

Astronomy (0.5 credits, fall)

Where do we fit in? Why does the sun shine? How did the universe come to be, and what is its ultimate fate? Are we alone in the universe? Students will begin an exploration of some of these questions with the study of celestial astronomy, understanding how our perceived place in the universe evolved throughout history. Students will discover how we learn the true nature of stars and explore their tumultuous lives and spectacular deaths, which give rise to supernovae and even the very stuff of which life on Earth is made. Students will study the universe’s earliest moments and speculate about its ultimate fate. Finally, students will enter into guided speculation about the possibilities of other life in the galaxy. A conceptual approach is emphasized throughout this course, but students will also build a solid quantitative understanding of the subject. Class VIII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled. This course satisfies the Class VIII quantitative requirement. 

Engineering Design I (0.5 credits, spring)

Students will collaborate to engage the principles and methods of engineering design through a variety of projects that emphasize rapid prototyping with embedded systems, electronics, CAD, programming, and mechanical actuation. They will also learn methods of fabrication—including 3D printing, laser cutting, and machining—and explore design thinking. Tasks involve constructing and optimizing special-purpose machines or devices in a cycle of prototyping, construction, and evaluation. Course projects revolve around a new central topic each year. Class VII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VIII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled. This course meets at the same time as Engineering Design II. 

Information Science: Data, Computation, and (Artificial) Intelligence (0.5 credits, fall)

With the advent of modern AI, we are witnessing the receding boundary between human imagination and computation. Information science is the lens through which we can understand “thought” and “meaning” in relation to algorithms and data, tackling that which comprises the fabric of our experiences, enabling us with the tools to model observations and to generate new insights, and reframing other sciences as the physically manifested interplay of information systems. The course begins with topics like Turing machines, entropy, signals, logic, statistics, and boolean networks; it continues to model dynamic systems in biology, chemistry, and physics; and then it culminates with neural networks, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Along the way, a lab component gives students a chance to apply concepts and produce a final product in machine learning or artificial intelligence. Class VII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VIII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled.

Marine Biology (0.5 credits, fall)

This course will use case studies, student-led debates, and hands-on activities to explore the scientific, political, economic, cultural, and global issues associated with conserving both marine ecosystems as well as individual species throughout the world. Marine organisms are studied in the context of their ecosystems including rocky intertidal, estuaries, coral reefs, and kelp forests. This course will integrate the issues of global climate change, pollution, destructive harvesting methods, overfishing, tourism, and aquaculture with a discussion of the myriad of solutions currently available such as sustainable practices, restoration, and management. Class VII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VIII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled.

Neuropsychology (0.5 credits, spring), not offered in the 2024–25 academic year

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of neuropsychology. We will start with an in-depth study of neuroanatomy and the physiology of the nervous system, culminating in a sheep brain dissection with alternative options available to students. We will explore how new technologies have furthered our understanding of how the brain works, and we will build off of these fundamentals to explore topics in neuropsychology through both a historical and current lens. Additional units may include sensation and perception, learning and memory, states of consciousness, and emotions, and will be based on student interest. Students will engage in a series of laboratory exercises, scientific article readings and discussions, and small projects throughout the semester in order to better understand this fascinating and rapidly developing field of science. Class VII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VIII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled.

Paleobiology: Back to the Future (0.5 credits, fall), not offered in the 2024–25 academic year

If it is true that “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” what history can we humans look to in order to escape this fate? What data can help us make decisions regarding climate change, the potential of a sixth mass extinction, and the continual questioning of racial and human equality? In this course, we will explore the answers to these questions through hands-on activities, labs, and the statistical analysis of data sets used by paleobiologists. Students will investigate the ways in which these unique data sets may be used, as well as the important patterns they have already allowed us to document. They will then apply these insights to the contemporary issues mentioned above, as well as to an original research project. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a field experience in which they collect and analyze paleobiologic data. Students will leave this course with a new appreciation for their place in life’s history and will have learned how scientists approach questions when the crucial experiment can not be rerun; we only have one history of life on Earth, after all. Class VII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VIII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled.

Class VIII Electives

In Class VIII, students who are interested in science are encouraged to study an additional elective or AP course; however, there is no Class VIII science requirement. 

Astronomy (0.5 credits, fall)

Where do we fit in? Why does the sun shine? How did the Universe come to be, and what is its ultimate fate? Are we alone in the Universe? Students will begin an exploration of some of these questions with the study of celestial astronomy, understanding how our perceived place in the Universe evolved throughout history. Students will discover how we learn the true nature of stars and explore their tumultuous lives and spectacular deaths, which give rise to supernovae and even the very stuff of which life on Earth is made. Students will study the Universe’s earliest moments and speculate about its ultimate fate. Finally, students will enter into guided speculation about the possibilities of other life in the Galaxy. A conceptual approach is emphasized throughout this course, but students will also build a solid quantitative understanding of the subject. Class VIII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled. This course satisfies the Class VIII Quantitative Requirement. 

Engineering Design I (0.5 credits, spring)

Students will collaborate to engage the principles and methods of engineering design through a variety of projects that emphasize rapid prototyping with embedded systems, electronics, CAD, programming, and mechanical actuation. They will also learn methods of fabrication—including 3D printing, laser cutting, and machining—and explore design thinking. Tasks involve constructing and optimizing special-purpose machines or devices in a cycle of prototyping, construction, and evaluation. Course projects revolve around a new central topic each year. Class VII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VIII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled. This course meets at the same time as Engineering Design II. 

Engineering Design II (.5 credits, spring)

An extension of Engineering Design I, this course emphasizes the integration of hardware and software to further student experience with programming, microcontrollers, electronic circuitry, sensors, motors, and methods of prototype fabrication in a systems context, while engaging more deeply in the process of design thinking. Engineering II students also take on greater responsibilities in project management and coordinating team logistics. Assignments result in the construction of intelligent machines to address practical, scientific, and social challenges. Each year, the course revolves around a new central topic. The world is subtly teeming with such machines, and it is the goal of this course to empower students with the methods for understanding and shaping such a world. Prerequisite: Engineering Design I. This course meets at the same time as Engineering Design I. 

Information Science: Data, Computation, and (Artificial) Intelligence (0.5 credits, fall)

With the advent of modern AI, we are witnessing the receding boundary between human imagination and computation. Information science is the lens through which we can understand “thought” and “meaning” in relation to algorithms and data, tackling that which comprises the fabric of our experiences, enabling us with the tools to model observations and to generate new insights, and reframing other sciences as the physically manifested interplay of information systems. The course begins with topics like Turing machines, entropy, signals, logic, statistics, and boolean networks; it continues to model dynamic systems in biology, chemistry, and physics; and then it culminates with neural networks, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Along the way, a lab component gives students a chance to apply concepts and produce a final product in machine learning or artificial intelligence. Class VII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VIII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled.

Marine Biology (0.5 credits, fall)

This course will use case studies, student-led debates, and hands-on activities to explore the scientific, political, economic, cultural, and global issues associated with conserving both marine ecosystems as well as individual species throughout the world. Marine organisms are studied in the context of their ecosystems including rocky intertidal, estuaries, coral reefs, and kelp forests. This course will integrate the issues of global climate change, pollution, destructive harvesting methods, overfishing, tourism, and aquaculture with a discussion of the myriad of solutions currently available such as sustainable practices, restoration, and management. Class VII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VIII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled. 

Neuropsychology (0.5 credits, spring), not offered in the 2024–25 academic year

This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of neuropsychology. We will start with an in-depth study of neuroanatomy and the physiology of the nervous system, culminating in a sheep brain dissection with alternative options available to students. We will explore how new technologies have furthered our understanding of how the brain works, and we will build off of these fundamentals to explore topics in neuropsychology through both a historical and current lens. Additional units may include sensation and perception, learning and memory, states of consciousness, and emotions, and will be based on student interest. Students will engage in a series of laboratory exercises, scientific article readings and discussions, and small projects throughout the semester in order to better understand this fascinating and rapidly developing field of science. Class VII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VIII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled. 

Paleobiology: Back to the Future (0.5 credits, fall), not offered in the 2024–25 academic year

If it is true that “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” what history can we humans look to in order to escape this fate? What data can help us make decisions regarding climate change, the potential of a sixth mass extinction, and the continual questioning of racial and human equality? In this course, we will explore the answers to these questions through hands-on activities, labs, and the statistical analysis of data sets used by paleobiologists. Students will investigate the ways in which these unique data sets may be used, as well as the important patterns they have already allowed us to document. They will then apply these insights to the contemporary issues mentioned above, as well as to an original research project. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a field experience in which they collect and analyze paleobiologic data. Students will leave this course with a new appreciation for their place in life’s history and will have learned how scientists approach questions when the crucial experiment can not be rerun; we only have one history of life on Earth, after all. Class VII students will be given priority for enrollment in this course; however, Class VIII students may enroll, pending its ability to be scheduled.

AP Courses

AP courses are offered for students who wish to extend their knowledge of the foundational sciences. Students should indicate their course preference at the time of course selection, and a final decision on placement will be made by the department. A full year of physics is recommended for all students who wish to take an AP science course. Students interested in enrolling in two AP science courses simultaneously should speak with the Science Department head. 

AP Biology (1 credit)

Topics in biology are studied at a level equivalent to an introductory college class. Material covered includes biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and biotechnology. Students are assigned model organisms commonly used in biomedical research to help contextualize the content they learn. Students learn relevant laboratory techniques and design their own experiments to hone their skills as scientists. Open to students by department approval.

AP Chemistry (1 credit)

This second-year chemistry course covers trends in the periodic table, structure and states of matter, reactivity, stoichiometry, thermochemistry and thermodynamics, kinetics and equilibrium, acid/base and redox reactions, and electrochemistry. Students will explore connections between units as well as applications of chemical principles to everyday life. Advanced problem-solving strategies are emphasized, as is the analysis of experimental data as well as sources of experimental error. Students deepen and apply their understanding through laboratory investigations in each unit. Open to students by department approval. This course satisfies the Class VIII
Quantitative Requirement. 

AP Environmental Science (1 credit)

Environmental science is an evidence-based, interdisciplinary approach to studying living and non-living components of ecosystems as well as the ways these components interact, with a strong emphasis on the relationship between human and natural systems. This course offers an interdisciplinary exploration of environmental science, including the biological, geological, and chemical systems of the Earth, current environmental issues, and the role of technology in both creating and solving these problems. Students will gather data, test hypotheses, identify and analyze environmental problems, and evaluate potential solutions. Open to students by department approval. 

AP Physics C: Mechanics (1 credit)

In this course, students will revisit classical physics at a level consistent with an introductory, calculus-based college course. We will primarily focus on the AP Physics C Mechanics topics of kinematics and dynamics (both linear and rotational), conservation laws, universal gravitation and simple harmonic motion. While the emphasis of this course is on quantitative and conceptual reasoning, students will also conduct a variety of experiments and continue to develop their skills in experimental design and data analysis. Students will come away from this course with a more sophisticated understanding of the techniques used by physicists to analyze the world and a more developed intuition for mathematical problem solving. This course will prepare students to take the AP Physics C Mechanics Exam. Prerequisite: Honors Physics 1 & 2. Co-requisite: AB or BC Calculus. Open to students by department approval. This course satisfies the Class VIII Quantitative Requirement.

Minor Courses

These 0.25-credit minor courses meet two periods per cycle and are meant to be taken in addition to a full course load of five major courses. Students who would like to take two minor courses in the same semester must submit a petition for an additional minor course (see appendix for petition process).

STEM and Society in the 21st Century (0.25 credits, fall, pass/fail)

This course will engage students in the exploration of major STEM topics that they will encounter in everyday life: Is there a scientific basis for race? How is sex biologically determined (or not)? What are vaccines, and why do some of us fear them? Is our climate really changing? How do robots help humans, and do we anticipate a robot apocalypse? Can drones save lives? How secure is social media? Questions will be addressed through the use of discussions, laboratory activities, case studies, data analysis, scientific literature, and guest speakers. Students will develop a nuanced understanding of the ways STEM is viewed by society, specific examples of STEM issues that have provoked societal misunderstanding, and the role and limitations of STEM in their lives. Open to students in Classes VII and VIII. 

Independent Research in Science (0.25 credits, spring)

This course allows students to independently pursue a research area of their choice on campus. Significant independent work, both during and outside of scheduled class periods, is required. Student work includes reviewing scientific literature, developing and troubleshooting experimental design, collecting data, and analyzing results. Students share their findings with the Winsor community at the end of the semester through a poster and oral presentation. Enrollment is limited and at the discretion of the instructor and the head of the science department; the submission and approval of a petition as well as a research proposal is required for enrollment in this course. Students interested in proposing an independent research project in science for the 2024–2025 academic year should speak with the head of the Science Department during course selection in April of 2024. Open to students in Classes VI, VII, and VIII. This course cannot be taken pass/fail. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and head of the Science Department.