HEALTH SCIENCES DEPARTMENT
Each course offered in the Health Science Department is numbered and described according to
regulations of the Kentucky Technical College system. This allows students who take the Health
Science Program to receive college credit for courses completed at Boyd County High School
Technical Center.
Principles of Health Sciences
Prerequisite: None
1 Credit
Open to Grades: 10-11
Principles of Health Science is an orientation and foundation for occupations and functions in any
health care profession. The course includes broad healthcare core standards that specify the
knowledge and skills needed by the vast majority of healthcare workers. The course focuses on
exploring health career options, history of health care, ethical and legal responsibilities, leadership
development, safety concepts, health care systems and processes and basic health care industry
skills.
Medical Terminology I
Prerequisite: 1 credit in Health Science course preferred
½ Credit
Open to Grades: 10-11-12
A course designed to develop a working knowledge of language in all health science major areas.
Students acquire word-building skills by learning prefixes, suffixes, roots and abbreviations.
Students will learn correct pronunciation, spelling and application rules. By relating terms to body
systems, students identify proper use of words in a medical environment. Knowledge of medical
terminology enhances the student’s ability to successfully secure employment or pursue advanced
education in health care.
Medical Terminology II
Prerequisites: None
½ Credit
Open to Grades: 10-11-12
A course designed to develop a working knowledge of language in all health science major areas.
Students acquire word-building skills by learning prefixes, suffixes, roots and abbreviations.
Students will learn correct pronunciation, spelling and application rules. By relating terms to body
systems, students identify proper use of words in a medical environment. Knowledge of medical
terminology enhances the student’s ability to successfully secure employment or pursue advanced
education in health care.
Medical Science
Prerequisite: Principles of Health Science preferred
1 Credit
Open to Grades: 10-11-12
This one-credit course uses health occupations as a vehicle to present the life science content
outlined in the program of studies. The course is interdisciplinary in nature and integrates academic
expectations and activities with the disciplines of life science, mathematics, health social studies,
language arts, arts and humanities, and vocational studies. During their study of medical science,
students will gain an understanding for normal structure and function of the human body through
scientific inquiry. Life science conceptual understandings, applications, and connections make this
science relevant to students. Anatomy, physiology, physics, and chemistry concepts are reinforced
with real-life analogies and health-related examples are used to illustrate potentially difficult
scientific concepts.
Medicaid Nurse Aide- (15 Student Capacity)
Prerequisite: Principles of Health Science and Emergency Procedures, teacher recommendation,
minimum ACT score of 18 in science
1-2 Credits
Open to Grade: 12
Kentucky Tech Curriculum: MNA 100
An instructional program that prepares individuals to perform routine nursing-related services to
patients in hospitals or long-term care facilities, under the training and supervision of an approved
registered nurse. State Registry is available upon successful completion of state written and
performance examination.
Health Care Co-op
Prerequisite: a minimum of 3 credits in Health Science by the end of the co-op year.
2 Credits
Open to Grades: 12
Kentucky Tech Curriculum: HEA 199
The practicum semester of Health Care offers students expanded practical application of health
care skills, review of academic skills and additional enrichment. Upon completion of the Health
Science Career Major, the student selects a field of Health Care to Study. The student is placed in
a cooperative work experience for the Health Care major of interest.
Emergency Procedures
Prerequisite: Principles of Health Science preferred
½ Credit
Open to Grade: 11-12
Kentucky Tech Curriculum: SFA 100 & CPR 100
This course will focus on potential emergency situations. It is designed to promote an
understanding of standard precautions necessary for personal and professional health
maintenance and infection control. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will
demonstrate the necessary skills in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and will be
given the opportunity to take the completion examination as outlined by the sponsoring agency.
CPR for Healthcare Professionals
Prerequisites: None
½ Credit
Open to Grade: 11-12
Emergency Procedures is designed to teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation (Adult/Infant/Child)
using current emergency techniques relative to cardiac and/or respiratory arrest, as put forth by the
American Heart Association, National Safety Council or American Red Cross. The American Heart
Association, National Safety Council or American Red Cross standardized course qualifies a
student for certification of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and safety and first aid.
Body Structure and Functions
Prerequisites: None
1 Credit
Open to Grade: 11-12
This course is designed to provide knowledge of the structure and function of the human body with
an emphasis on normalcy. The interactions of all body systems in maintaining homeostasis will
promote an understanding of the basic human needs necessary for health maintenance Academic
knowledge from life science core content as it relates to the human body will be included.
Allied Healthcare Core Skills
Prerequisites: Principles of Health Science and Emergency Procedures
1-2 Credits
Open to Grade: 12
Allied Health Core Skills is designed to provide knowledge, concepts and psychomotor skills
necessary for gainful employment as an entry-level health care worker. Assisting students in
selecting a career major, classroom instruction and educational objectives are combined with
learning experiences and observations and clinical rotations. This course is designed for students
not enrolled in the Medicaid Nurse Aide program and who have completed Principles of Health
Science and Emergency Procedures.