American Heritage School

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Guidance & College Planning

MEDICAL PROFESSIONS PROGRAM

American Heritage School introduces the Medical Professions Program for students who wish to prepare for a career as a physician, physical therapist, dentist, chiropractor, veterinarian or any of the other career opportunities available in medicine.

From ninth through twelfth grades, students follow a course of study designed to equip them for college with science courses unique to a high school program. Courses in the Program are taught by medical professionals with current or previous experience in that field.

At all levels, the curriculum is enhanced by contact with health professionals:

DEMONSTRATIONS & LECTURES, HEALTH FACILITY & COLLEGE TOURS, FIELD TRIPS
INTERNSHIP WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS REQUIRED FOR UPPERCLASSMEN

Students must meet the admission requirements of the Medical Professions Program.

Admission Requirements

To be accepted into the Medical Professions Track, a student must have: a minimum IQ of 120; a reading comprehension score on the Stanford Achievement Test at or above the 90th percentile; completed Algebra I as an eighth grader with a minimum grade of “B.” In addition, a member of the science faculty will hold a personal interview with the student.

Premed Society

The Medical Professions Program has generated much interest on the part of high school students. In addition to classes, students may participate in the Premed Society. All of the students in the Medical Professions Program participate, but so do many other students who find the Society’s activities interesting and different. Membership in the Society approaches 100 students. The Premed Society is led by Science Department Chair, Dr. Douglas Laurie, and science teacher, Dr. Carlos Pulido, and has been developed in conjunction with area health care providers over recent years.

The activities of the Premed Society are totally unique and designed to give “real life” experiences to students considering the medical profession. Often, students attend presentations given by medical specialists such as Dr. Reinhard Motte, Associate Medical Examiner. He presents a Powerpoint demonstration depicting victims of violent crime and/or drug abuse. Some students have worked with Dr. Motte as part of the Medical Professions Internship Program, and students have spent time with him at crime scenes and observing autopsies. Other health care professionals who have made presentations at Premed Society meetings include dermatologists, plastic surgeons, veterinarians and dentists.

PRE-MED CURRICULUM

*Honors Medical Terminology (1 semester)
*Honors Biology (2 semesters)
+Honors Human Genetics(1 semester)
+Honors Sports Medicine (1 semester)
*Honors Chemistry (2 semesters)
*AP Chemistry (2 semesters)
Introduction to Organic Chemistry (Honors)
*Honors Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters)
*AP Biology (2 semesters)
*Introduction to Pathology (Honors) (1 semester)
+Honors Microbiology (1 semester)
*Physics (2 semesters)
*AP Physics (2 semesters)
*Forensic Science Honors (1 semester)
Premed Internship S2 (.5 credit)

* A requirement of the Medical Professions Program

** Student must have completed the course or be taking the course concurrently with the course described.

+ Student must take two of the three electives.

NOTE: An “AP” prefix to the course name designates Advanced Placement. These are college-level courses in which a student may earn college credit upon successful completion of the Advanced Placement Exam. Students participating in an Advanced Placement course are required to take this exam in addition to other course requirements.

PRE-MED STAFF