Biomedical Sciences Academy

Course Descriptions

PLTW Principles of Biomedical Sciences (1 credit)

In the introductory course of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, students examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person's life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing them to design their own experiments to solve problems.
 

PLTW Human Body Systems (1 credit)

Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. 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.
 

PLTW Medical Interventions (1 credit)

Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection; 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, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics.
 

PLTW Biomedical Innovation (1 credit)

In the final course of the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Students address topics ranging from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. They have the opportunity to work on an independent design project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility, or research institution.
Certifications: Biotechnician Assistant (BACE), Basic Life Support CPR, Microsoft Office Excel

• Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) CPR
• Biotechnician Assistant Certification
• Microsoft Excel

Careers Listed in Career Tree

Entry-Level Careers

(with Program Completion)

• University Research Assistant
• Patient Care Technician
• Clinical Medical Assistant
• EKG Technician
• Mortuary Assistant
• Sterile Processing Technician
• Biomedical Equipment Technician
• Laboratory Technician
• Physical Therapy Aide
• Phlebotomy Technician
• Dental Assistant
• Dietary Aide
   

Technical Careers

(Apprenticeship, Associate’s Degree, Advanced Certification, Experience, etc.)

• Clinical/Medical Lab Assistant
• Respiratory Therapist
• Physical/Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Histology Technician
• Sonographer
• Cytogenetic Technician
• Ophthalmic Technician
• Biomanufacturing Technician
• Surgical Technician
• Health Information Technologist
• Radiology Technician
• Pharmacy Technician

Professional Careers

(Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., Specialized Training, Experience, etc.)

• Toxicologist
• Microbiologist
• Surgeon
• Epidemiologist
• Biomedical Engineer
• Oncologist
• Registered Nurse
• Pharmacist
• Genetic Counselor
• Pathologist
• Biostatistician
• Neuroscientist 
   

Biomedical Sciences is a pathway for serious students that are academically driven and want to be challenged as they explore biological sciences. They must be devoted, willing to grow in understanding and have a thirst for knowledge. The student will have to be a hard worker and continue to question until they gain clarity concerning concepts and topics. They must be prepared to advance steadily through the program and embrace challenges and rigor. Academy students are respectful and love to problem solve and to work tirelessly toward the single minded goal of understanding and then contributing to the biomedical world we live in.

Here is an overview of the skills gained in the FIRST year of the academy:
 

Laboratory Skills

• Aseptic technique 
• Bacterial plating and identification
• Gram staining 
• Micropipetting
• DNA gel electrophoresis 
   

Clinical Skills

• Blood pressure measurement and analysis
• EKG analysis
• Pedigree analysis 
• Bloodwork analysis 
   

Equipment and Software Proficiencies

• Vernier probes and sensors
• Data acquisition Software
• Microscope
   

Scientific Experimentation Skills

• Design and conduct reliable scientific experiments
• Analyze and interpret laboratory data
• Construct graphs (by hand and using graphing software)
• Interpolate and extrapolate data from a graph
• Draw conclusions based on experimental data 
• Thoroughly and clearly communicate results and conclusions both orally and in writing
   

Professional Skills

• Group collaboration 
• Planning and organizing 
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Technical writing
• Verbal and written communication 
• Decision-making
• Creative thinking