Do you aspire to work in the medical field? Are you passionate about helping others? Are you thinking of majoring in biology, chemistry, or another scientific field in college? The courses in the Health & Environmental Sciences pathway are aimed at laying the groundwork for a career in science, medicine and health.

Project Lead the Way Health Science Pathway

By immersing students in activities like practicing suturing and constructing body structures from clay, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science empowers students to build knowledge and skills in biomedical science, as well as in-demand, transportable skills like problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, and collaboration.

Students interested in this pathway can check out the pathway flier or this video.

Principles of Biomedical Science

Grades: 9-12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Must have passing scores in previous science courses.

Graduation requirement: CTE and Lab Science (dual requirement)

Description: In the introductory course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, you will examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce you to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing you to design your own experiments to solve problems. Enrich your learning and leadership through participation in HOSA, the student leadership organization for future health professionals. Interested students should check out this course flyer.

Approved by NCAA for lab science.

Human Body Systems

Grades: 10-12

Credit: 1.0

Graduation requirement: CTE and Lab Science (dual requirement)

CTE dual college credit:

Anatomy and Physiology for the Health and Fitness Professional

Pierce College KINS 155 4 credits

Description: In this second level biomedical PLTW course students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis in the body. 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. Enrich your learning and leadership through participation in HOSA, the student leadership organization for future health professionals. Interested students should check out this course flyer.

Approved by NCAA for lab science. 

Medical Interventions

Grades: 10-12

Credit: 1.0

Graduation requirement: CTE and Lab Science (dual requirement)

Description: A medical intervention is a treatment, procedure, or other action taken to prevent or treat disease, or improve health in other ways. In this rigorous, lab based molecular biology course you will follow the life of a fictitious family as you investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Explore how to detect and fight infection (epidemiology), 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, you will be exposed to a range of medical interventions related to vaccines, DNA sequencing, genetics and diagnostics, pharmacology and immunology. This course is open to all students who are passionate about the health sciences. Enrich your learning and leadership through participation in HOSA, the student leadership organization for future health professionals. 

Approved by NCAA for lab science.

Biomedical Innovations and Health Careers

Grades: 11-12

Credit: 1.0

Prerequisite: Successful completion of one of the following: Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, Anatomy & Physiology, or AP Biology

Graduation requirement: CTE and Lab Science (dual requirement)

Description: In Biomedical Innovations and Health Careers, you will apply your knowledge and skills to answer questions and solve problems related to biomedical sciences. Design innovative solutions for health care challenges of the 21st century as you work through progressively challenging, open-ended problems such as clinical medicine, physiology, biomedical engineering, and public health. It is critical to your success that you can work independently and are able to work with mentors from the healthcare industry. Throughout the course, you will present your innovations to an audience that may include representatives from education, business, and the health care community. Enrich your learning and leadership through participation in HOSA, the student leadership organization for future health professionals. Interested students should check out this course flyer.

Approved by NCAA for lab science. 

Additional Courses in Health Sciences

Sports Medicine: Personal Trainer

Located at GHHS campus

Grades: 10-12

Credit: 0.5

Graduation requirement: CTE and PE (dual requirement)

CTE dual college credit:

Athletic Training and Acute Injury Mgmt

Pierce College KINS 258 3 credits

Programming and Marketing for Fitness Prof.

Pierce College KINS 257 3 credits

Description: If you are interested in fitness careers, this will introduce techniques and clinical approaches used for the prevention and care of athletic injuries and illnesses. You will learn skills necessary to manage and prevent injuries common to active lifestyles and to the practice of personal training. Students will learn to develop, monitor, and evaluate a client fitness plan. You will learn terminology, nutrition concepts, and apply strength-training principles designed for optimal performance. Enrich your learning and leadership through participation in HOSA, the student leadership organization of future health professionals. This course may be repeated in preparation for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Personal Trainer Certification. Must be 18 to take the test.

Sports Medicine: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

Located at GHHS campus

Grades: 9-12

Credit: 0.5

Graduation requirement: CTE

Description: Participate in this class to help you clarify your aspirations of becoming a physical therapist and explore other sports medicine related fields such as athletic training, medicine, fitness, physiology of exercise, and anatomy and kinesiology. You will experience hands-on application and academic coursework in the following areas: care and prevention, treatment, rehabilitation of sports injuries, taping and wrapping of injuries, first aid, emergency procedures, and other clinical procedures common to sports medicine careers. Enrich your learning and leadership through participation in HOSA, the student leadership organization of future health professionals.