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Biomedical Science (PLTW)

Bring the FUTURE OF THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES ALIVE

It was a hot summer morning, 92°F. An emergency call came in at 9:45 a.m. A man contacted the police to report that he was worried about his next-door neighbor, a woman named Anna. He said he had spoken to Anna the previous morning when he saw her walking her dog around 6:30 a.m. He decided to call the police this morning because Anna’s dog had been barking excitedly for the last two hours. He tried to call Anna on the telephone, but no one answered. Both the police and an EMT arrived at the scene at 9:56 a.m. The EMT determined that Anna was dead. The police immediately notified your team of crime scene investigators as well as the medical examiner, both of which were dispatched to the house. Has a crime been committed? 

This is an excerpt from the case presented to students in the first course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program, Principles of Biomedical Science. From the moment students walk into the classroom, they are immersed in the mysterious death of Anna and asked to investigate, document, and analyze evidence to solve the case. Case-based scenarios like this one span all PLTW Biomedical Science courses. Students explore a range of careers in biomedical sciences as they learn content in the context of real-world, hands-on activities, projects, and problems.

Foundation Courses
Principles of Biomedical Science (Freshman Course)

In the introductory course of the 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.  (Fulfills "G" Subject Requirements and Approved for all UC and CSU campuses)

Human Body Systems (Sophomore Course)

In the Human Body Systems (HBS) course, 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. Students practice problem solving with structured activities and progress to open-ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills.  Alignment with NGSS, Common Core, and other standards are available through the PLTW Alignment web based tool. Activities, projects, and problems are provided to the teacher in the form of student-ready handouts, teacher notes, and supplementary materials, including resource documents, student response sheets, and presentations. (Fulfills “D” Subject Requirements and Approved for all UC and CSU campuses)

Medical Interventions (Junior Course) 

Medical Interventions (MI) allows students to investigate the variety of interventions involved in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease as they follow the lives of a fictitious family. A “How-To” manual for maintaining overall health and homeostasis in the body, the course will explore how to prevent and fight infection, how to screen and evaluate the code in our 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 will be exposed to the wide range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics. Each family case scenario will introduce multiple types of interventions, reinforce concepts learned in the previous two courses, and present new content. Interventions may range from simple diagnostic tests to treatment of complex diseases and disorders. These interventions will be showcased across the generations of the family and will provide a look at the past, present, and future of biomedical science. Lifestyle choices and preventive measures are emphasized throughout the course as well as the important role that scientific thinking and engineering design play in the development of interventions of the future. Students practice problem solving with structured activities and progress to open-ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills. (Fulfills “D” Subject Requirements and Approved for all UC and CSU campuses)

Biomedical Innovations (Senior Course) (Capstone)

Students will 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.

(Fulfills “G” Subject Requirements and Approved for all UC and CSU campuses)

Medical Assistant Clinic (Senior Course) (Capstone)

The skills and tools needed to succeed as an Administrative or or Clinical Medical Assistant are covered in this class.  Upon successful completion of the course the student will have attained and demonstrated requisite competencies that prepare them for a smooth transition into the workplace.  These competencies are: Critical thinking through problem solving, analyzing issues and exercising sound reasoning. Students will show the ability to make decisions and solve problems.  Each student will be competent in the following skill sets:

1.  Scheduling patient appointments.

2.  Enter patient information into medical records.

3.  Translate information needed for medical billing and coding.

4.  Record patient history and personal information.

5.  Measure vital signs and accurately document results.

6.  Help physicians with patient examinations.

7.  Collect and prepare samples for laboratory testing.

8.  Give patients injections or medications as directed by physicians as permitted by state law.

9.  Practice infection control and Asepsis.

10. Complete CPR certification.

(Fulfills “G” Subject Requirements and Approved for all UC and CSU campuses).