Biomedical & Health Science

The Biomedical program provides students with the opportunity to explore three different tracks within the health sciences fields: nursing, dental or veterinary. The first year will introduce students to different careers in health sciences. Students will study anatomy, physiology, nutrition, diet therapy, and complete a medical research project through field trips, demonstrations, and classroom instruction. The second year prepares students in basic health science skills, body mechanics, aseptic techniques, and medical terminology. Students are placed in a clinical experience of their choice during the second semester to gain valuable hands-on experience in the industry; clinicals are held twice a week in the evening after school. Students who complete the program can further their education or enter into the workforce as a Certified Nursing Assistant, Dental Aide, Veterinary Aide and more.

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Is this program a fit?

I enjoy:

Helping people and/or animals
Working as a member of a team
Working under pressure and demonstrating patience

I am able to:

Communicate - speaking with patients and their families in addition to routinely communicating with coworkers
Maintain Physical Endurance - sustained periods of standing and ability to lift
Perform Technical Skills - use fine motor skills for the use of dissection tools and also take blood pressure etc.
Use Interpersonal Skills - dealing with and relating to patients, understanding their body language, and understanding their concerns and needs in a compassionate manner

I am comfortable with:

Math - arithmetic skills including fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, multiplication and division
Reading - interacting with medical text
Science - knowledge of the basic principles of biology
Writing - conveying scientific concepts and clinical information in written form

Curriculum

Year I:

Principles of Biomedical Science (first semester)
In the introductory course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine the 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.

Human Body Systems (second semester)
Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis in the body. 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

Year II:

Program of Study Nursing Assistant, Dental Assistant or Veterinary Assistant (first semester)
Students learn about their desired course of study. They go through the curriculum and learn the skills needed to work in the field. Once they have practiced their hands on materials students then attend on the job training.

Medical Interventions and basic Math (second semester)
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.