Skip To Main Content

Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Med Pathway

Preparing the next generation of Alabama's physicians, nurses, researchers, and health professionals.

Two Options, One Goal: A Powerful Pre-Health Foundation

The Biomedical Sciences / Pre-Med pathway is offered in two carefully designed four-year options. Both share the same core mission—strong science, real clinical experience, and multiple healthcare credentials—so students can choose the level of academic intensity that fits them best.

 

1. Accelerated Biomedical Sciences / Pre-Med Pathway

Designed for high-achieving students who plan to pursue competitive university programs in:

  • Medicine and biomedical research
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  • Physician assistant studies
  • Pharmacy, dentistry, or other advanced health professions

This pathway integrates:

  • Advanced coursework (AP and dual enrollment) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, Statistics, English, and History.
  • Laboratory-rich biomedical courses, including PLTW Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, and Medical Interventions.
  • Senior-year medical assisting internship at Whitfield Regional Hospital, where students work in real clinical environments under supervision.

Students in the Accelerated Pathway graduate with:

  • A rigorous AP/DE transcript that strengthens applications to selective colleges and pre-health majors.
  • Real-world clinical experience that stands out in scholarship applications and, later, medical school admissions.

2. Comprehensive Biomedical (Traditional) Pathway

The Comprehensive Biomedical Pathway offers the same healthcare focus and clinical depth, but with balanced academic intensity and added support. It is ideal for students who:

  • Want a strong, hands-on foundation in biomedical sciences and healthcare.
  • Plan to pursue college, technical programs, or allied health careers (such as radiology, respiratory therapy, or lab technology).
  • Prefer a rigorous but more evenly paced plan instead of multiple AP courses.

Students in this pathway:

  • Complete all PLTW biomedical courses and core sciences.
  • Take dual-enrollment courses in English, history, and medical terminology.
  • Finish with medical assisting coursework and a supervised internship at Whitfield Regional Hospital.

Both pathways share one outcome: students leave ASHS prepared for college healthcare programs and ready, if they choose, to step directly into the healthcare workforce.

Courses by Year

Real Credentials, Not Just Coursework

Students in the Biomedical Sciences / Pre-Med pathway don’t just study healthcare—they leave with stackable credentials that matter to employers and colleges. Across the four years, students can earn:

  • BLS First Aid/CPR and AHA BLS Healthcare Provider
  • Stop the Bleed
  • OSHA-10 (safety certification)
  • Certified EKG Technician (CET)
  • Biotechnician Assistant (BACE)
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
  • A national billing and coding specialist credential

These credentials allow students to:

  • Work immediately after graduation in entry-level healthcare roles.
  • Support themselves financially during college, especially in healthcare settings that align with their majors.
  • Present a stronger, more competitive application to pre-med, pre-nursing, and other pre-health programs, which value both academic rigor and real clinical exposure.

Why Biomedical Sciences?

Biomedical sciences is one of the strongest academic foundations for nearly every healthcare career. Whether a student dreams of becoming a physician, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, physician assistant, physical or occupational therapist, or biomedical researcher, this pathway keeps every door open.

At ASHS, biomedical sciences is the “academic spine” that runs through our entire school. It ties our mission, our coursework, and our clinical experiences together into one coherent, healthcare-focused education.

Students in the Biomedical Sciences / Pre-Med Pathway:

  • Study human body systems, disease processes, physiology, genetics, and diagnostics.
  • Build advanced lab skills and research literacy that mirror early undergraduate pre-health programs.
  • Practice critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making in real healthcare scenarios.

For families, this pathway offers something rare: a public, tuition-free high school that prepares students for both college and the healthcare workforce right away.

Who Should Consider the Biomedical Sciences / Pre-Med Pathway?

This pathway is a strong fit for students who:

  • Are curious about how the human body works and why people get sick.
  • Enjoy science, math, and problem-solving, and want to challenge themselves.
  • Feel drawn to helping others, serving their community, and making a difference.
  • Are interested in medicine, nursing, research, or allied health careers—or want to explore those possibilities in a supportive, hands-on environment.

Students do not have to know exactly which healthcare job they want. The pathway is intentionally broad so they can explore, discover, and refine their interests over time.

Service, Community, and Leadership

Healthcare is about people. Throughout the pathway, students participate in community service and outreach projects that build empathy, professionalism, and a service-minded approach:

  • Early years: health and hygiene kits for schools, wellness campaigns, visits to nursing homes, and reading buddies programs.
  • Middle years: blood drives, health education booths, partnerships with local libraries and food pantries, and fundraising walks.
  • Later years: school-based screenings, community CPR days, disaster preparedness workshops, hospital auxiliary volunteering, mobile health clinics, and capstone service projects.

Students also engage with the ASHS House System and clubs like HOSA: Future Health Professionals, building leadership skills that translate directly to healthcare careers.