A new course that will expand Holmdel High School’s partnership with Rutgers University School of Health Professions was recently approved by the board of education.
The Holmdel school board approved the development of the new Medical Terminology course for the high school last month during its regular meeting that was held at the William R. Satz Middle School in Holmdel.
The high school this year began to offer three courses that are in conjunction with the Rutgers University School of Health Professions. Dynamics of Health Care in Society, Anatomy and Physiology, and Scientific Principles of Nutrition, according to Board of Education Member Joseph Hammer.
“We are partnering with Rutgers in many ways to give our students insights into careers, courses and college level education. For example, our research high school students have worked with them on genome sequencing in the past and we are working with them to expand our career concentration track with them through this initiative,” Hammer said. “Through our career concentrations, we want to expose students to various different careers in order for them to make better decisions on colleges and careers.”
According to Superintendent Robert McGarry, medical terminology is a linguistic introduction to scientific and medical vocabulary derived from ancient Greek and Latin.
“We will undertake the systematic study of science terminology by studying Greek and Latin word elements, that includes words, roots and forms, from which medical and scientific vocabularies are constructed,” McGarry said. “Students will learn a wide range of medical terms as well as etymological techniques to decipher and interpret new terminology.”
According to McGarry, the course is designed to develop semantic skills useful for advanced work in the medical and biological sciences and has traditionally enhanced students’ performance in taking standardized examinations utilizing medical/scientific vocabulary.
The new course is going to be offered to students during the 2018-2019 school year, according to Hammer.
“We are in our first year of our partnership with Rutgers School of Health Professions,” McGarry said.
The school’s Dynamics of Health Care in Society course is an orientation to health care and delivery, from an interdisciplinary perspective, with a focus on process skills to include critical thinking, ethical reasoning, effective communication, and self-directed learning abilities, according to Hammer.
“The professional competencies stress application to general issues and topics common to all health care providers. Emphasis is placed on the role of the health care practitioner as both provider and consumer of health care services,” Hammer said.
The Anatomy and Physiology course will focus on the study of the structure and function of the human body, according to Hammer.
“This course will follow a sequential development of the major body systems in an organized and structured curriculum. The course is designed to give students a selective overview of human anatomical structure and an analysis of human physiological principles,” Hammer said. “Labs will include slide work, dissection of various animals, and studies of the human skeleton. The course will also use computer-simulated dissection.”
According to Hammer, the Scientific Principles of Nutrition course outlines the relationship of diet, lifestyle, and the prevention of disease. An overview of the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals is provided.
“Nutrition needs at various stages of the lifespan are stressed. Applying the science of nutrition to your life including needs for fitness and physical activity, evaluating nutrition claims, food labeling, and other consumer concerns are emphasized,” Hammer said.
For more information visit www.holmdelschools.org/board-of-education/boe-meeting-highlights.
Contact Vashti Harris at Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
