Health and Medicine Pathway Courses

Principles in Biomedical Science (PBS)

Grade Level: 10

A-G Approved

This PLTW course is a pathway course specifically for Academy of Health and Medicine students who are interested in pursuing careers in health and medicine fields. The course provides an introduction to the biomedical sciences through hands-on projects and problems. Students investigate the human body systems and various health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, hypercholesterolemia, and infectious diseases. They determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person, and investigate lifestyle choices and medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, medicine, research processes and bioinformatics. Key biological concepts, including homeostasis, metabolism, inheritance of traits, and defense against disease are embedded in the curriculum. Engineering principles, including the design process, feedback loops, and the relationship of structure to function are also incorporated. Prerequisite: Successful completion of algebra and successful completion of biology or concurrent enrollment in biology.

 

 

 

Human Body Systems (HBS)

Grade Level: 11-12

A-G Approved

This PLTW course is a pathway course specifically for Academy of Health and Medicine students who are interested in pursuing careers in health and medicine fields. 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 manikin, work through interesting real world cases and often play the role of biomedical professionals to solve medical mysteries. Prerequisite: Successful completion of biology. Highly recommended: Completion of Principles in Biomedical Sciences