SHAPING YOUNG MINDS

St. Thomas High School is a well-established college preparatory that provides a caring, intellectually challenging learning atmosphere in which young men develop the tools necessary to become successful in their future studies and careers. Our students are well prepared for an ever demanding and diverse world. Young alumni often tell us that the course content and workload in college is very manageable for them because they trained for academic rigor at St. Thomas.

To view our full course catalogue with all academic courses offered please click here.

Science Department

Four credits of science are required at St. Thomas. Incoming ninth graders take either a regular or advanced level of Biology. Depending on their performance as freshmen, some students may be required to take Physical Science as Sophomores. Upperclassmen are offered a great deal of flexibility in their scheduling and are encouraged to take either the advanced or regular level of Chemistry and Physics to complete their science requirement. Other offerings, though, include Environmental Science as well as one semester classes in Geology and Oceanography. Advanced Placement courses in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are also open to qualified students.

Grade 9: Adv. Biology or Biology

Grade 10: Adv. Chemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Biology

Grade 11: Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physics, AP Physics, Acc. Physics or AP Biology, Chemistry or Physics (one credit each);
or Earth Science (.5 credit each)

Grade 12: Science Elective – AP Biology, Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physics, AP Physics, AP Physics 2, Acc. Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, Earth Science, AP Environmental Science

Rebecca Dowdy (B.S., Environmental Science, Sweet Briar College, M.S., Environmental Management, Samford University, M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction with emphasis in STEM, Texas A&M) joined the STH team in 2020 and is the current Dean of Science. She teachers AP Environmental Science using project-based techniques to encourage full student engagement and application to real life situations. She is the sponsor of the new gardening club and hopes to establish a living meditation space here on campus using plants and student created sculptures.

Claire Conboy, Ph. D. (B.A., Chemistry and Mathematics, Holy Name College; M.S. Chemistry, University of California at Davis; Ph. D. Chemistry, University of Illinios at Chicago) joined the St. Thomas Science Department in 2015. She currently teaches Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry and AP Chemistry. Dr. Conboy has more than 20 years of industrial research experience and has taught at local community colleges.

Philip Cuneo (B.S., Science Education and M.Ed., Counseling, University of St. Thomas) joined the faculty of St. Thomas in 1990 and has served as both a science teacher, twice holding the Master Teacher’s Chair, and as Director of Guidance. He currently teaches freshman biology.  Mr. Cuneo’s students have fund-raised to preserve twenty acres in the Darian Biosphere of Panama; worked extensively with the Coastal Prairie Conservancy and the Buffalo Bayou Partnership to establish pocket prairies in both Hermann Park and along Buffalo Bayou; and submitted transect surveys of fauna in the southeastern region of Texas to iNaturalist.  Mr. Cuneo is a Texas Master Naturalist and current moderator of the St. Thomas Chess Club.

Michael Erickson (B.S. Engineering Science, Minor in Mathematics, Trinity University) received an Engineering Science degree at Trinity University in 2018. He currently teach Physics and Earth Science. He is also the Quiz Bowl Moderator and an assistant cross country coach. This is his 4th year at St Thomas.

Michael Lynch ‘94 (B.S., Loyola University, New Orleans; graduate studies Chemical Physics, Tulane University) is a graduate of St. Thomas and joined the faculty in 2008. He teaches Physics and AP Physics I and II. He also holds three U.S. patents for various process technologies.

Pete Nordloh, Ph.D.(B.S., Biology, Xavier University in Cincinnati; Ph.D., Biochemistry, University of Vermont) is from Cincinnati, Ohio where he attended St. Xavier High School and graduated with a B.S. in Biology in 1985.  Dr. Nordloh earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Vermont in 1991.  After post-doctoral research at the University of British Columbia and Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Nordloh began teaching at the Community College level for four years.  Dr. Nordloh then spent 5 years as the Head Brewer at Saint Arnold Brewing Company from 1996-2001.  In 2001, Dr. Nordloh joined the faculty at St. Thomas High School and is currently in his 22nd year.  Dr. Nordloh currently teaches freshman Advanced Biology, AP Biology and Anatomy and Physiology.  Dr. Nordloh has two sons, Sam and Ben who graduated from St. Thomas.  Dr. Nordloh sponsors the Rocketry Team, the Pre-Med Club, the LEGO club and the Table-Top Gaming Club.

Dr. Michael Weiger grew up in Colorado Springs, CO. He attended Colorado State University and earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University and studied how the cells in our bodies migrate during wound healing using advance microscopy. He did his postdoctoral training at NIST and the NCI while also teaching courses for Johns Hopkins University (AAP). Recently, he worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center for 5 years as an Instructor, managing a research laboratory, conducting research and teaching students and young scientists. His passion has always been teaching science and mentoring.

Noel Romero is a proud alumnus of St. Thomas High School and is part of the Class of 2008. He received his B.S. in Biology from Syracuse University in 2012. He went to work at a Fortune 500 Laboratory for about five years before changing course and pursuing his teaching certification. He taught 8th Grade Physics and Chemistry for two years before getting the opportunity to join the St. Thomas Family. He now teaches Biology and Chemistry and is looking forward to inspiring and educating his fellow Eagle Brothers for years to come.