The Biomedical Sciences Program is a sequence of four courses which follows the PLTW Engineering Program’s proven hands-on, real- world problem-solving approach to learning. Students explore the concepts of human medicine and are introduced to bioinformatics, including mapping and analyzing DNA. Through activities, like dissecting a heart, students examine the processes, structures and interactions of the human body – often playing the role of biomedical professionals to solve mysteries. Think CSI meets ER. They also explore the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease working collaboratively to investigate and design innovative solutions for the health challenges of the 21st century such as fighting cancer with nanotechnology.
Sophomore Year
Principles of the Biomedical Sciences
Students investigate the human body systems and various health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, sickle-celldisease, hypercholesterolemia and infectious diseases. They determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person, and investigate lifestyle choices and medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, medicine, research processes and bioinformatics. Key biological concepts including homeostasis, metabolism, inheritance of traits and defense against disease are embedded in the curriculum. Engineering principles including the design process, feedback loops and the relationship of structure to function are also incorporated. This course is designed to provide an overview of all the courses in the Biomedical Sciences Program and lay the scientific foundation for subsequent courses.
BEN JANCHAR, Instructor
330 497 5620 ext 1095 |
SCOTT COLLES, Instructor
330 497 5620 ext 1093 |
Students may take Principles of Biomedical Sciences and Human Body Systems concurrently during their Junior year.
Junior Year
Human Body Systems
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.
NICK PLAZAK, Instructor
330 497 5620 ext 1091 |
Senior Year
Medical Interventions
Students investigate a 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. These scenarios expose students to the wide range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices and diagnostics. Each family case scenario introduces multiple types of interventions and reinforces concepts learned in the previous two courses, as well as presenting new content. Interventions may range from simple diagnostic tests to treatment of complex diseases and disorders. These interventions are showcased across generations of a family and provide a look at the past, present and future of the biomedical sciences. Lifestyle choices and preventive measures are emphasized throughout the course as are the important roles scientific thinking and engineering design play in the development of interventions of the future.
SARAH COVINGTON, Instructor
330 497 5620 ext 1096 |
Senior Year
Biomedical Innovation
In this capstone course, students apply their knowledge and skills to answer questions or solve problems related to the 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 healthcare community.
SARAH COVINGTON, Instructor
330 497 5620 ext 1096 |
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
