Honors Biomedical

Grades 10 – 11                                                 

2 units

Prerequisite: Completed or enrolled in Honors Physical Science or Honors Biology 1 and Algebra 1

This course introduces the biomedical sciences through exciting “hands-on” projects and problems.  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.  The course is designed to provide an overview of all the courses in the Biomedical Sciences program and to lay the scientific foundation necessary for student success in the subsequent courses. Successful completion of the National PLTW Assessment will allow the credit to be AP-weighted on the Uniform Grading Scale. *Students can earn AP weight with proficiency score on national exam* 

Grades 11 – 12                                                 

2 units

Prerequisite: Honors BIOMED 1 or Health Science 1 and 2 

This course uses real-world cases where students take the role of biomedical professionals and work together to solve medical mysteries.  Hands-on projects include designing experiments, investigating the structures and functions of body systems, and using data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary actions, and respiratory operation. Students examine the processes, structures, and interactions of the human body systems to learn how they work together to maintain homeostasis (internal balance) and good health. Successful completion of the National PLTW Assessment will allow the credit to be AP-weighted on the Uniform Grading Scale. *Students can earn AP weight with proficiency score on national exam*