Health Sciences Pathway
Over 40% of St. Joseph High School graduates pursue a major in health sciences in college. The Health Sciences Pathway offers students the opportunity to explore advanced electives in Biology, Anatomy, Genetics, Chemistry and more!
St. Joseph High School’s Health Sciences Pathway educates the next generation of healthcare professionals through collaborative and innovative coursework, clubs, and speakers. Our health science courses give students a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to the subjects they will study as an undergraduate and beyond. Our faculty and staff are experts in the fields, holding advanced degrees in subjects such as Biology, Chiropractic Services, Athletic Training, Sports Medicine, Physics, Environmental Science, Chemistry, and Zoology.
Science Clubs
The Future Healthcare Professionals Club
The Future Healthcare Professionals Club promotes an understanding of the medical careers through guest speakers in the field and experiential activities. The Club's moderator, Dr. Marino, is an SJ alum, and holds a Doctor of Chiropractic and a BS in Human Anatomy.
Science Competition
Coordinated through the Science Department, Science Competition is an annual event that is open to all students. The moderator of this club, Dr. Walsh, is the science department chair, and holds a PhD in Zoology, an MS in Biology, and a BS in Biology.
Choosing Their Own Path
Unlike many schools which use a “one size fits all” curriculum until senior year, we give students opportunities to tailor their courses to their interests in science .
All students must take Biology and Chemistry. After completing these pre-requisites, students can choose sciences electives in the biological/medical sciences, ecological sciences, or the mathematical/engineering sciences.
Specialized Courses
Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine is designed for students interested in the medical/health fields. Students learn medical terminology, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation of sports injuries, emergency procedures, and basic first-aid. Practical skills include wrapping, basic, first-aid and emergency procedures.
Students have the opportunity to assist with the development and application of rehabilitation of St. Joseph High School athletes.
Human and Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
This course, designed for students interested in medicine/health, provides detailed coverage of the structure and functions of the human body, including the injuries and diseases that affect each organ system. Emphasis is placed on the human body, but comparisons are made to other vertebrates.
Major dissections are an essential part of the course.
Genetics
This course examines how physical traits are coded for and expressed in organisms, how traits are inherited from one generation to the next, and how changes in the genetic material, past and present, have led to biological diversity.
The course focuses on DNA and how it regulates all processes of the body. Students in this course typically visit our partner middle schools to host a genetics presentations.