Course Descriptions

For More Information: Career Cluster Poster and Career Cluster Video

Health Science 1 - 1 Unit – Grades 9-10

College Preparatory Prerequisite: None

Health Science 1 is the first of four courses offered to students interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field. Students are introduced to healthcare history, careers, law and ethics, cultural diversity, healthcare language & math, infection control, professionalism, communication, basics of the organization of healthcare facilities, and types of healthcare insurance. Students get a good grasp of where healthcare has been, where it’s going, and how professionalism and personal characteristics impact their success. The skills and knowledge that students learn in Health Science 1 serve to prepare them for future clinical experiences such as job shadowing or internships as they advance in the Health Science courses. [555000CW]

Health Science 2 – 1 Unit – Grades 10-11

College Preparatory Prerequisites: Health Science 1

Health Science 2 applies the knowledge and skills that were learned in Health Science 1 while further challenging the students to learn more about the healthcare field.  The course will include a more advanced study of infection and infection control which will better familiarize students with OSHA, HIPPA, and the CDC. Students will also learn how to take vital signs, record them, and learn what the data means. Students will learn about the stages of life and Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs and how law and ethics are applied in the healthcare setting. Medical terminology, medical math, and pharmacology are incorporated throughout the lessons being taught. Students will be certified in First Aid and CPR in this course. This course provides a foundation for further advancement in Health Science. It is recommended that students should score an 80% or higher in this course to advance to Health Science 3 and Clinical Studies. [555100CW]

Health Science 3  – 1 Unit – Grades 10-12

Honors Prerequisites: Health Science 2 or Sports Med 2

Health Science 3 acquaints students with basic anatomy and physiology of the human body. Students learn how the human body is structured and the function of each of the 12 body systems. They will study the relationship that body systems have with disease from the healthcare point of view. This is a very “hands on” course and students will learn through projects and activities in the classroom. Students will also participate in teamwork activities that will enhance understanding of the healthcare field. This course does not count as a lab science. [555200HW]

DE The Care of Patients (AHS117) & DE Responding to Emergencies (AHS120)– 1 Unit – Grade 12

Dual Enrollment Prerequisite: Completion of Health Science 3 and successful program application.

Clinical Studies is designed to give students clinical experience in a real healthcare setting toward earning their nurse aide certification. Students will spend class time learning and reviewing the necessary skills and qualities needed to complete a 40-hour clinical experience in a long-term care facility. Students are taught to perform nursing-related services to patients and residents in hospitals or long-term care facilities, under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. School-based and long-term care facility training is provided to assure students’ eligibility for the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services nurse aide certification. CPR for the Healthcare Provider and First Aid certifications are earned in this course.  Students interested in Clinical Studies must follow a registration process toward admission; information regarding the registration process is provided at the completion of Health Science 1.  Dual Credit weighting is applied to this course.  Students must achieve a successful college placement test score (or equivalent SAT/ACT) or have a 3.0 or higher GPA.  Students can earn college credit from York Technical College upon successful completion with a “B” average or higher and teacher recommendation.  Tuition fees and textbook fees may apply.  Parent permission is required.   [AHS 117: 854000EH, AHS 120: 854100EH]

DE Medical Vocabulary/Anatomy (AHS 104)/DE Electrocardiography (AHS 145) - 1 Unit Dual Credit - Grade 11-12 

Dual Enrollment Prerequisite:  Either completed or enrolled in Health Science 3 and meet college entrance guidelines; must also enroll in DE Patient Care Relations (AHS 145)

Medical Vocabulary/Anatomy introduces the fundamental principles of medical terminology and includes a survey of human anatomy and physiology.   Electrocardiography provides the basic skills necessary to perform ECGs in a hospital, physician's office or other health care setting. The student will be able to perform and interpret basic ECGs. overs medical terms, including roots, prefixes, and suffixes, with emphasis on spelling, definition, and pronunciation.  Dual Credit weighting is applied to this course.  Students must achieve a successful college placement test score (or equivalent SAT/ACT) or have a 3.0 or higher GPA.  Students can earn college credit from York Technical College upon successful completion with a “B” average.  [AHS 104: 554200EH, AHS 854700EH]

Additional Elective

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 1 – 1 Unit – Grades 9-12

College Preparatory Prerequisite: None

EMS1 is designed to teach students about emergencies and how to respond appropriately in emergency situations.  The curriculum includes instruction in areas of legal and ethical issues, safety, infection control, healthy lifestyles, medical terminology, disaster preparedness, and injury prevention. Skills will include vital signs, adult/infant cardiopulmonary-resuscitation (CPR), and adult/child automated external defibrillation (AED). [553100CW]