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The Academy for Medical Science Technology

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

The Academy for Medical Science Technology

Bergen County Academies

For the student interested in a career in medicine and health care.

V6: 2014-2015 by D. DeWitt, PhD

Students who have graduated from AMST have pursued careers as:- dentists- biomedical engineers- medical research scientists- nurses- pharmacists- physical therapists- physicians (MD or DO)- physician’s assistants- psychologists- speech therapists- veterinarians

The next few pages will explain how the AMST lifestyle prepared them for the success they have found after BCA.

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Career GoalsAMST

Members of the AMST Class of 2014Members of the AMST Class of 2014

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AMST

SCIENCE COURSES:BIOLOGY:

4 classes per week for Trimesters 1-3(60 AMST & 40 ABFIB students are mixed together in five sections.)

AMST-Only Science Courses:

MEDICAL SCIENCE SEMINAR:2 classes per week for Trimesters 1, 2 & 3

EPIDEMIOLOGYINTRO PHARMACOLOGY

INTRO EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCE(Over the year all 60 AMST students are divided into

three sections. Each section of 20 studentsmoves through this sequenceof 1-trimester courses.)

AMST CHEMISTRY: 2 classes per week for Trimesters 1-3

(Over the year all 60 AMST students are divided into three sections and take this course at

the same time.)

9th Grade

During their first year AMST students take both science and

non-science courses that include students from other academies. In

addition, they work in some science courses that are exclusive to AMST.


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9th GradeNON-SCIENCE COURSES:

In all other courses such as ENGLISH, HISTORY,

MATHEMATICS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, and

WORLD LANGUAGE, AMST students

are enrolled with BCA students

from many other academies.

Mathematics and World Language placement is determined by student skill level.

AMST

Students also participate in a variety of extra-curricular

activities such as performing arts and sports. It is important to schedule one’s time realistically.


AMST

SCIENCE COURSES: Over the year all 60 AMST students are divided into three sections and

take the following three science courses.

AMST BIOTECHNOLOGY LAB:1 three-hour lab per week

AMST CHEMISTRY:4 classes per week

AMST PHYSICS:2 classes per week

Additional Individualized Coursework:

SCIENCE ELECTIVES:2 classes per week per trimester

(See page 7)

10th Grade

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(S1: Tri 1; S2: Tri 2 and S3: Tri 3)

(S1, S2 & S3: All 3 trimesters)

(S1, S2 & S3: All 3 trimesters)

During their second year AMST students continue to work in

mixed-academy courses as well as AMST-only courses.


NON-SCIENCE COURSES:

In all other courses such as ENGLISH, HISTORY,


WORLD LANGUAGE, AMST students

are enrolled with BCA students


Mathematics and World Language placementis determined by student skill level.

10th Grade

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AMST

Students also participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities such as performing arts and sports.

It is important to schedule one’s time realistically.


Biomedical Electives

Required:- Bioethics- Zoology (** These are elective only from the perspective of choice when taken.)

Two more before graduation:- Animal Surgery - Developmental Bio.- Forensic Science- Intro. Microscopy- Med. Microbiology- Organic Chemistry- Oncology & Hematology- Psychology- Research Methods ***- Sports Medicine-

RESEARCH ELECTIVES:We are blessed with FIVE research programs.A large percentage of AMST students become involved. This effort begins in late 9th grade

and extends through 12th grade in these programs:

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Two in Biology, One in Microscopy, One in Nanotechnology / Chemistry,

and One in Physics.

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AMST

* Note: Some 9th grade AMST students enroll in electives if space is available but most students start with electives in 10th grade.

Because 11th and 12th grades are very busy years, it is recommended that the Bioethics and Zoology

requirements are satisfied by the end of 10th grade.

*By the time an AMST student graduates he or she must complete the two required electives plus two more electives:

See also AP & IB Sciences or Neuroscience on pg 8.

*** Spec

ific for

each

lab.

**


3-Trimester Electives:

- AP Chemistry *- AP Biology **- AP Psychology **- IB Environmental Systems *- Neuroscience ***

* AP Chemistry and IB Environmental Systems are available to any BCA

Junior or Senior.

** AP Biology or AP Psychology

are available to anyBCA Senior. (No student may take both courses.)

*** Neuroscienceis available

only to AMSTSeniors.

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AMST

Another way to satisfy the “2-more biomedical electives” requirement described on page 7 is to enroll in a single 3-trimester biomedical science course.

Some of these are first available in 11th grade while others are 12th grade only. Junior year is a very demanding year at BCA with regard to required coursework so some of these 3-trimester science courses are not available until 12th grade.

Biomedical Electives

Under no circumstance is a student allowed to take any of these courses in 9th or 10th grade.


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Wednesdaysare special at BCA.

Over the first three years at BCA, during Wednesday mornings,

(second and third class periods), normal classes are halted

and replaced with PROJECT TIME. A variety of science and non-science

Wednesday Projects are available.

9th Grade ProjectsTri 1: Guidance SeminarTri 2: Math / Science *Tri 3: Elective Project *

10th Grade ProjectsTri 1: Biotech Lab (BL) **

Tri 2: Guidance Seminar (GS)Tri 3: Elective Project

11th Grade ProjectsTri 1: Elective ProjectTri 2: Elective ProjectTri 3: Elective Project

** Depending on which section a student is enrolled

in, BL may run tri 2 or 3.BL runs 1st - 3rd

class periods. GS runs tri 2except for those in BL.

What about senior year? See page 13.

In 10th or 11th grade any BCA student may attend our Mini-Medical School Project

during one trimester. See pg 10.

* The Math / Science project & Elective project may run in

trimester two or three.


AMST

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New in the2014-2015 year.

We are planning a series of 10 presentations.

Weeks 1 & 2: Overview of the premedical college, medical

school and residency training way of life. This will be presented by Dr. DeWitt, and BCA alumni.

Weeks 3 -10: Overview of some medical specialities.

This will be presented by physicians who are currently practicing in or near Bergen County.

The goal of this new project is to bring any 10th or 11th grade BCA student together with

those who can provide guidance regarding a career path resulting in an MD degree. At

BCA we are aware that students who are not enrolled in our Academy for Medicial Science

Technology may also be interested in pursuing a professional degree in medicine

so that is why AMST and non-AMST students are encouraged to participate.

We will begin offering this Wednesday project in trimester 2 of the 2014-2015 school year and will repeat in subsequent trimesters.

Wednesdays

- AP Chemistry(Highly recommended before graduation if student is

predent., premed., prepharm., or prevet.)

- any 1-trimester biomedical elective- IB Environmental Systems

- Research11

AMST 11th GradeSCIENCE COURSES:

Over the year all 60 AMST students are divided into three sections and

take the following two courses:

AMST CELL PHYSIOLOGY:4 classes per week

AMST PHYSICS:4 classes per week

Optional Individualized Sciences:

SCIENCE ELECTIVES:(See pages 7 & 8)

Junior year at BCA is intense. Careful planning is needed as the challenge of

competing for college acceptance expands in importance in each student’s mind. A minimum of two AMST-only sciences is

required. The non-science options rapidly expand as well (See page 12.)

Counseling by the BCA Guidance Department is ongoing beginning in 9th grade so that

reasonable goals can be set.


Non-science Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses are

available in Art, Calculus, Economics, English, History, Music, Statistics

and World Languages.

BCA is a candy store of courses and activity options.

Do not eat too much!

AMST 11th Grade

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NON-SCIENCE COURSES:

In all other classes such as ENGLISH, HISTORY,


WORLD LANGUAGE, the AMST student is enrolled with BCA students


Mathematics and World Language placement is determined by

student skill level.

Students also participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities such as per-forming arts and sports. It is important

to schedule one’s time realistically.


Senior AAST, AEDT & AMST students are required to enroll in a science elective each trimester during their last year. At BCA, we believe in individualized schedules so seniors are able to design their course load to enhance their upcoming college career. No specific science courses arerequired. Options are:

During 12th grade all BCA students spend every Wednesday off campus at their SENIOR

INTERNSHIP. So the school week is only 4 days long!

It is important to remember that non-science coursework is very important for a balanced college

application as well. Senior year has two additional challenges: applying to college and senioritis.

So careful attention to course overload is essential.

IB Env Sci; Neuroscience; or 3

, 1-tri electives

AP Bio, Chem, Physics*, Psych;

12th Grade

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*AP Physics satisfies the senior

science requirement but does not satisfy the

“two-more biomed electives” requirement described on pages 7-8.

AMST

The AMST Class of 2014The AMST Class of 2014

Since AMST has existed for over 10 years, some of our alumni have completed graduate school and are now practicing professionals. They continue to return and advise current students about their career options. Their advice also helps us to revise our curriculum to enable our graduates to continue to become college champions.

We have provided this review of the AMST lifestyle at BCA so that prospective applicants

understand the consequences of acceptance. It should be noted that students from other

academies have been successful in all of the medical professions. However, AMST graduates

leave with biomedical coursework (Medical Science Seminar, Biotechnology Lab,

Cell Physiology and Neuroscience) that other BCA graduates did not have access to.

It does make a difference!

GraduatesAMST

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2014 Medical Career Day

2014 BCA Graduation

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Training Champions Since 1997

AMST

The poster can be read by zooming in. Similar posters are under construction for other medical career paths.

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