Biomedical Pathway

Classes within the pathway

• Principles of Biomedical Sciences (1 credit)

  • An introduction to the biomedical sciences through hands-on projects and problems is provided for students as they investigate concepts of biology, human physiology, and medicine through research processes, experiment design and problem solving. Students will investigate how the development of disease, lifestyle choices, and medical treatments are related to changes in human body systems. This course provides a foundation for future biomedical courses and scientific inquiry.

• Human Body Systems (1 Credit) - Highly recommended optional course (Year 2 in the PLTW sequence)

  • Students examine the interactions of body systems as they explore identity, communication, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Students design experiments, investigate the structures and functions of the human body, and use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal model, work through interesting real world cases, perform multiple dissections, and often play the role of biomedical professionals to solve medical mysteries.

• Medical Interventions (1 Credit)

  • Students investigate the variety of interventions involved in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Students will learn how to: prevent and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; prevent, diagnose and treat cancer; and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Students are exposed to the wide range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics through different medical case studies. Lifestyle choices and preventive measures are emphasized throughout the course, as well as the important roles scientific thinking and engineering design play in the development of interventions of the future.

• Biomedical Innovation (1 Credit)

  • In this capstone course, students apply their knowledge and skills to answer questions or solve problems related to the biomedical sciences. Students will design innovative solutions for the health challenges of the 21st century as they work through progressively challenging open- ended problems, addressing topics such as clinical medicine, physiology, biomedical engineering, and public health. Students will design a project and work with post-secondary, medical professions, and industry to complete. Throughout the course, students are expected to present their work to an adult audience that may include representatives from the local business and healthcare community.