Project Lead the Way: Biomedical Sciences

Course 80880 | 5 periods/week/semester | 1 credit (CTE credit)

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 through 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. Engineering principles including: the design process, feedback loops, fluid dynamics, and the relationship of structure to function are incorporated in the curriculum where appropriate. Students will have a clear understanding of all the courses in the Biomedical Sciences program and the scientific foundation necessary for student success in the subsequent courses. 

Course 80881 | 5 periods/week/semester | 1 credit (CTE credit)

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 actions, 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. Prerequisites and other notes: Must have completed Principles of the Biomedical Sciences (80880).

Course 80882 | 5 periods/week/semester | 1 credit (CTE credit)

In this capstone course, students apply their knowledge and skills to answer questions to solve problems related to biomedical sciences. Students 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. They have the opportunity to work on an independent project and may work with a mentor or advisor from a university, hospital, physician’s office, or industry. Throughout the course students are expected to present their work to an adult audience that may include representatives from the local business and health care community. Prerequisites and other notes: Must have completed Medical Interventions (80883). Completer course for this major.

Course 80883 | 5 periods/week/semester | 1 credit (CTE credit)

Students investigate the variety of interventions involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease as they follow the lives of a fictitious family. The course is a “How-To” manual for maintaining overall health and homeostasis in the body as students explore how to prevent and fight infection; how to screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; how to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer; and how to prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through these scenarios, students are exposed to the wide range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics. Lifestyle choices and preventative 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. Prerequisites and other notes: Must have completed Human Body Systems (80881).