Laboratory Courses
In the PGSS lab courses students gain hands-on experience at the bench or computer terminal in one of the five core subject areas. Each student takes one lab course which meets for 3 hours a day twice a week with a focus on completing small proejcts. In addition to the research skills gained, student develop their scientific communication techniques through lab reports and small group presentations of their data.
2026 Lab Course Descriptions
Biological Techniques Laboratory |The biology lab covers a range of experimental work that illustrates the methods and technology used for modern research into biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology. You will develop an understanding of the theory behind the techniques you use and will learn the process of experimental design. You will also learn the biological concepts behind the experiments that you perform and will be able to communicate your results. Course Description: We will do labs on Immunology, molecular biology, including plasmid and genomic DNA isolation, agarose gel electrophoresis and transformation. You will improve your problem solving and analytical skills and will learn how to keep and maintain a lab notebook.
Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory |This organic chemistry laboratory course brings textbook reactions to life by having you synthesize, purify, and analyze compounds that underpin everything from fragrances and pharmaceuticals to dyes and automobile airbags. You’ll master core techniques to confirm your products’ identity and purity. Along the way, you’ll hone essential scientific skills: planning syntheses, troubleshooting experiments, managing your time, recording data with precision, communicating results clearly, and following strict safety and waste-disposal protocols. By the end of the semester, you’ll understand both how molecules shape our world and how to think, and work, like a chemist.
Computer Science Lab | The Wikipedia Race: Building (Artificially) Intelligent Search Agents How will your AI agent start with Banana and finish at Quantum Mechanics using only Wikipedia links? In this lab, students will build AI agents that "race" across Wikipedia by clicking links from one page to the next, trying to reach the target article in the fewest possible steps. The twist: at each step, the agent only sees the current page and its links. No full map allowed! Students will experiment with different strategies for choosing the "best" next link, using patterns in text, structure, and logic to guide their decisions. Along the way, they will explore how large networks of information are organized and how algorithms can navigate them efficiently. The course culminates in a live tournament where students' agents compete to solve a variety of increasingly challenging races. Success will depend on creativity, strategy, and a deep understanding of how to search intelligently in complex systems.
Techniques of Experimental Physics | The physics laboratory course will provide direct experience with topics in classical and modern physics, such as harmonic oscillations, the nature of sound, superconductivity, and radioactivity. No prior physics course is necessary. Students who choose to do a team research project in physics are encouraged but not required to take this laboratory course.
Mathematics Laboratory | Neil: Hey ChatGPT, can you write me a paragraph description of operations research that would make it sound exciting to high-powered high school students?
ChatGPT: Sure! Operations research (OR) is an exciting field that uses advanced mathematical and analytical methods to help organizations make better decisions. It's all about finding the most efficient and effective ways to solve complex problems, from designing transportation networks to optimizing supply chains to improving healthcare systems. OR experts use sophisticated models and algorithms to analyze data and simulate different scenarios, allowing them to make informed decisions that can have a huge impact on businesses, governments, and society as a whole. If you're interested in tackling big challenges, using cutting-edge technology, and making a real difference in the world, then operations research might just be the field for you!
Neil: No prior mathematics experience is necessary, as I will be going over the basics of inequalities, matrix algebra, and the simplex method during the lab period.