HEALTH SCIENCES
The Health Sciences program is designed for students to pursue the rigors of higher education in the medical/science fields of study. Taught by doctors in the field, the program prepares students to enter into a plethora of medical careers such as surgical technician, physical therapist, athletic trainer, veterinarian, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), dietician and pharmacist. Students who complete four years are equipped with practical skills as well as an in-depth knowledge of biology, anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology that will help prepare them to continue their education in a chosen medical field, academia, or enter directly into a health science career. Students are able to craft their experience creating four years that reflect student interest. In choosing a pathway, students can engage in a clinical, academic or exercise science-related program of study that best suits their needs or interests.
Health Sciences includes opportunities for EMT certification, SLE experiences, and/ or an advanced health science and science electives. Program graduates earn a high school diploma and CPR certification along with the option for dual college credit by examination through Rutgers University. Finally, students may opt to earn multiple college credits through articulation and dual enrollment agreements with Rutgers University, Stockton University, Rowan College at Gloucester County and Atlantic Cape Community College.
Students are also required to have taken Algebra I. A course will be offered in the summer for those who need to take it before the start of 9th grade in September.
Health Science Course Sequence
Boldfaced Courses are required program courses in each category.
Grade 9 Intro To Health Sciences
Grade 10 Anatomy and Physiology 1 Choose one of the following: Nutrition, Athletic Training/Sports Medicine
Grade 11 Anatomy and Physiology 2 Choose one of the following: AP Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) , AP Research (Prerequisite AP Seminar 10) ,
Athletic Training/Sports Medicine, AP Psychology, Nutrition
Grade12 Choose at least one of the following: EMT , Advanced Topics in Healthcare, AP Psychology
Choose one of the following: AP Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), AP Research (Prerequisite AP Seminar 10), EMT, Advanced Topics in Healthcare,
AP Psychology, Clinical Applications in Health Science (26-27 SY), Exercise Science/Kinesiology (Prerequisite - Physics)(26-27 SY)
Introduction to Health Sciences Grade 9 Credits: 10
Prerequisite: None
This introductory course will cover the body of knowledge known as Allied Health. It introduces the learner to the history of healthcare through the ages, the structure of healthcare facilities, professionalism, ethics, medical law, medical terminology, and acquisition of basic technical skills. These fundamentals form the foundation to future success in health careers. The course will also provide an overview of careers in health care with the purpose of guiding the learner towards focusing on a career goal. Students will obtain American Heart Association CPR for healthcare provider’s certification upon successful completion of the requirements. A basic introduction to anatomy and physiology will teach the student the basic structure, function and diseases of the 12 body systems. It is the intention of this course to lay the foundation of personal wellness, professionalism, and self-confidence that will lead to success in any chosen career. This class prepares the student for the Rutgers Dynamics of Health Care exam.
Anatomy & Physiology I (Rutgers Credit by Examination) Grade 10 Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Introduction to Health Sciences
Anatomy & Physiology I examines the structure and function of the human body. The course incorporates the following topics: organization of the body; homeostasis; metabolism; the chemistry of life; cells and tissues. The following systems of the body are presented for in-depth study: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, and lymphatic. Medical Terminology is embedded as a central theme, incorporating anatomy and physiology, as well as pathology. Case studies and career options are also explored. This class prepares the student for practical application and skills presented in the Emergency Medical Technician course (Grade: 12) and the Rutgers Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Medical Terminology exams (Grade: 11 - 12). The content of the course is designed to prepare students for the rigors of post-secondary health sciences studies. Additionally, with the lab component (laboratory exercises and report writing, microscopy, dissection, anatomy illustrating and coloring), students expand upon their hard skills in the study of the human body.
Nutrition and Wellness (New Course offering 2025-2026) Grades 10,11 Credits: 5
The purpose of this course is to introduce the learner to the fundamental principles of human nutritional science with specific emphasis placed on the maintenance of health and well-being throughout the lifespan. Discussion of essential nutrients, dietary sources, absorption and digestion of food/nutrition are presented with the goal of aiding learners in understanding how the human body utilizes the nutrients from our foods. Medical nutrition therapy is introduced as it relates to the management of common chronic disease states. Nutritional health literacy is also explored.
Athletic Training and Sports Medicine (New Course Offering in 2025-2026) Grades 10, 11 Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Anatomy and Physiology 1 or concurrent enrollment
This course will introduce students to athletic training and will teach the students basic anatomy, injury prevention, injury types, treatment protocols, rehabilitation techniques, first aid procedures, and taping techniques. It will allow the students to become familiar with the field of athletic training and all the responsibilities associated with being an athletic trainer. It will also provide the students with the basic skills an athletic trainer utilizes on a daily basis and will allow them to experience it first hand in an athletic setting. At the conclusion of the course the students will have a general knowledge of the athletic training profession and the basic skills necessary to achieve and maintain overall wellness and good health.
Anatomy & Physiology II (Rutgers Credit by Examination) Grade 11 Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Anatomy & Physiology I
Anatomy & Physiology II examines the structure and function of the human body. The course is a continuation of AP II and reviews the following topics: organization of the body; homeostasis; metabolism; the chemistry of life; cells and tissues. The following systems of the body are presented for in-depth study: nervous, special senses, endocrine, digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive. Medical Terminology is embedded as a central theme, incorporating anatomy and physiology, as well as pathology. Case studies and career options are also explored. This class prepares the student for practical application and skills presented in the Emergency Medical Technician course (Grade: 12) and the Rutgers Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Medical Terminology exams (Grade: 11 - 12). The content of the course is designed to prepare students for the rigors of post-secondary health sciences studies. Additionally, with the lab component (laboratory exercises and report writing, microscopy, dissection, anatomy illustrating and coloring), students expand upon their hard skills in the study of the human body.
Advanced Placement Psychology Grades 11, 12 Credits: 5
This course is a challenging one-year study of psychology. It is designed for the highly mature and motivated academic student who is interested in a systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. Students will be exposed to psychological facts, principles and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields of psychology. Topics of study include the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, states of consciousness, learning, cognition, motivation and emotion, development, personality, abnormal behavior and its treatment, and social psychology. In addition, students will learn about practice and critically evaluate research methods used by psychologists. The expression and preparation for the recommended Advanced Placement examination in Psychology will be emphasized.
Emergency Medical Training Certification Grade 12 Credits: 5
Prerequisite: See Grade: 9-11 progression
This course prepares our seniors for the real world.This rigorous and challenging course allows students to study Emergency Medicine with a New Jersey certified Emergency Medicine Technician Instructor. Students will experience hands-on clinical applications including opportunities to do Clinical emergency care time and EMT ride-along experiences. Upon completion of this course students will qualify and sit for National and New Jersey State Certification testing as EMT professionals. Students have the opportunity for college credit through Rutgers University and Atlantic Cape community College.
Advanced Topics in Health Sciences Dual Enrollment Grade 12 Credits: 5
Prerequisite: See Grade: 9-11 progression
This course will explore the many facets of Public Health, Exercise Science, Holistic Health and Bio- Medicine through both a historical lookback and current trends and practices. Students will have an opportunity to explore workplace application of various medical fields in the classroom setting through guest speakers, podcasts, hands-on activities, professional academic journals and websites.
Optional Program courses for the Senior Year:
Structured Learning Experience (SLE) Grade 12 Credits: 5
Prerequisite: See Grade: 9-11 progression
Work-based Learning is an experiential, supervised, in-depth learning experience aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards that are designed to offer all students the opportunity to fully explore career interests and develop workplace readiness skills. This course will cover basic areas of employability skills, workplace readiness and employment equity. Students will develop employability skills, complete job applications, prepare professional portfolios and participate in mock interviews to develop their skills in preparation for a WBL. Examples of WBLs include community service, service learning, volunteering, job shadowing, paid/unpaid internships and cooperative education experiences. Students who participate in this course will earn OSHA 10 training, Rutgers PPE Certification as well as BLS (basic life support) Certification through the American Heart Association.