Biomedical Course Descriptions

PLTW (Project Lead the Way) Bio Medical Course Descriptions

Financial Note: In addition to normal book rental, students taking PLTW pre-engineering courses will be required to pay a lab fee of $15 for each course.

Note: The following courses satisfy many Graduation Pathways and are recommended for students who are interested in pursuing a post-secondary degree in an engineering, technology or medical field of study. All courses count as Directed Electives or Electives for the Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas. Students passing the college portion of the Nation End Course Exam are eligible for trans-scripted college credit through many national universities.

Principles of Biomedical Sciences (PBS)  #5218AB 2 semesters, 2 credits 9, 10, 11

Prerequisite: 3.0 GPA (9th graders), completed or taking concurrently with Biology

In the introductory course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, students examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing them to design their own experiments to solve problems.  

Human Body System (HBS)  #5216AB 2 semesters, 2 credits 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Principles of Biomedical Sciences

Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Maniken®; use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration; and take on the roles of biomedical professionals to solve real-world medical cases.

Medical Interventions (MI)  #5217AB 2 semesters, 2 credits       11, 12

Prerequisite: Principles of Biomedical Sciences and Human Body Systems

Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; evaluate cancer treatment options; and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics.