This pathway focuses on the integrative scientific study of biological issues related to health and medicine. Includes instruction in any of the basic medical sciences at the research level; biological science research in biomedical facilities; and general studies encompassing a variety of the biomedical disciplines.
Example Careers: Biologist, Biomedical Engineer, Biotechnologist, Coroner, Doctor, Forensic Scientist, Pharmacist, Surgeon, etc.
Pathway Course Sequence
Grade level: 9-11
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: None
Student work involves the study of human medicine, research processes and an introduction to bioinformatics. Students investigate the human body systems and various health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, hypercholesterolemia, and infectious diseases. A theme throughout the course is to determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person. After determining the factors responsible for the death, the students investigate lifestyle choices and medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. Key biological concepts including homeostasis, metabolism, inheritance of traits, feedback systems, and defense against disease are embedded in the curriculum. The course is designed to provide an overview of all the courses in the Biomedical Science program and to lay the scientific foundation necessary for student success in the subsequent courses.
Grade level: 10-11
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: None
Students will engage in the study of the processes, structures and interactions of the human body systems. Important concepts in the course include communication, transport of substances, locomotion, metabolic processes, defense, and protection. The central theme is how the body systems work together to maintain homeostasis and good health. The systems will be studied as “parts of a whole”, working together to keep the amazing human machine functioning at an optimal level. Students will design experiments, investigate the structures and functions of body systems, and use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary actions, and respirator operations. Students will work through interesting real-world cases and often play the role of biomedical professionals to solve medical mysteries.
Grade level: 11-12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: None
Student projects will investigate various medical interventions that extend and improve quality of life, including gene therapy, pharmacology, surgery, prosthetics, rehabilitation, and supportive care. Students will study the design and development of various medical interventions including vascular stents, cochlear implants, and prosthetic limbs. They will review the history of organ transplants and gene therapy and read current scientific literature to be aware of cutting-edge developments. Using 3-D imaging software and current scientific research students will design and build a model of a therapeutic protein.
Grade level: 11-12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: None
This capstone course gives students the opportunity to work with a mentor, identify a science research topic, conduct research, write a scientific paper, and defend conclusions/recommendations to a panel of outside reviewers. The student will have one or more mentors from the scientific and/or medical community guiding their scientific research. In lieu of a research project, this course may also be utilized as an internship for students to obtain WBL opportunities in the health care industry.
Industry Certification Opportunities
NOCTI Biotechnology (Online Portion Only)
Course descriptions: https://kecs.education.ky.gov/public/coursesearch