The Program

consists of 4 consecutive courses:

The sequence of courses is explained in detail below, showcasing the major theme of the course and the laboratory skills that are introduced. In addition to these courses, students will take Honors BioMed Biology during their freshman year, Honors Chemistry during their sophomore year, Honors Physics during their junior year, and AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science or AP Physics during their junior and senior years.
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"PLTW Biomedical Science students are taking on these same real-world challenges – and they’re doing it before they even graduate from high school. Working with the same tools used by professionals in hospitals and labs, students engage in compelling, hands-on activities and work together to find solutions to problems. Students take from the courses in-demand knowledge and skills they will use in high school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take."
https://www.pltw.org/our-programs/pltw-biomedical-science

While students at Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Northwest, Seneca Valley, Watkins Mill, Damascus, Clarksburg, Magruder and of course Gaithersburg High Schools may apply to come to Gaithersburg High school for the PLTW program, MCPS provides transportation for only those students whose home schools are Magruder, Clarksburg, Damascus and Gaithersburg.

9th Grade: PBS
PRInciples of Biomedical science

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.

Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4

medical investigation

Topics Include: Investigating Crime Scenes, Polygraphs, Collecting & Analyzing Evidence, DNA Profiling, Autopsy Reports, Toxicology, & Histology

clinical care

Topics Include: Medical History, Routine Tests, HIPPA, Genetic Traits & Inheritance,

outbreak & emergencies

INNOVATION, INC

10th Grade: HBS
Human body systems
(Check out this HBS site for more info)

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.

Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Unit 6

IDENTITY

COMMUNICATION

POWER

MOVEMENT

PROTECTION

HOMEOSTASIS

11th Grade: MI
medical interventions
(CHECK OUT THIS MI SITE FOR MORE INFO)

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.

Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4

HOW TO FIGHT INFECTION

HOW TO SCREEN YOUR GENES

HOW TO CONQUER CANCER

HOW TO PREVAIL WHEN ORGANS FAIL

12th Grade: BI
biomedical innovations

In the final course of the PLTW 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 project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility, or research institution.