Taught by Ms. Piper, this course is taken by all Magnet Ninth Graders. Fundamentals is not a programming course. Instead, its goal is to teach incoming Magnet Students to use the computer as a effective tool for science, mathematics, and research. While certain programming concepts are taught (e.g., recursion), programming begins in earnest in the Algorithms and Data Structures course.

This course is also heavily tied to the two Ninth Grade science courses, Magnet Physics and Magnet Chemistry, and to the Ninth Grade Research and Experimentation class. For example, a concept may be taught in physics, experimentation on the concept will be done in R&E, and the data will be examined and tinkered with using the tools taught in the Fundamentals of Computer Science course.

Tools taught in Ninth Grade computer science include (but are not limited to) STELLA, a modeling environment that, among other things, allows students to make computerized versions of the experiments they are creating in their R&E class. Students also use tools they may be more familiar with, such as spreadsheet, word processor, and presentation software, in a way applicable to a scientist's or mathematician's point of view.

Other topics include (but are not limited to) DrScheme, a programming environment based on the scheme programming language, an introduction to a linux operating system environment, digital circuitry, and Boolean Algebra. Students also learn concepts relating to American Computer Science League topics, allowing students who choose to to compete in the ACSL contests throughout the school year.