Crystal River High School

One Crew. One Ship. One Voyage. #PirateSuccess

Our Honors Biomedical Science pathway began at Crystal River High School in 2011 with the inaugural class graduating from CRHS in 2015. This rigorous four-course Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science program provides students with a relevant, project-based learning experience in which each course builds upon the previous while also exploring an entirely new branch of Biomedical Science. Throughout this program, students investigate various topics in the Biomedical Science professions such as: human anatomy and physiology, medicine, genetics, microbiology, biotechnology and public health as well as explore various other medical professional careers. 



While this pathway is focused on biomedical science, students planning on pursuing a career in various other health and science fields can greatly benefit from the project-based nature of this course, the development of marketable job skills and laboratory techniques developed in this pathway; it is not restricted to only one career pathway. Throughout the course students often learn of new and exciting alternatives to careers they already had in mind which helps the student further develop their plan after high school. 

The Biomedical Science pathway consists of a four-course sequence in which each course builds on skills and concepts from the preceding course.

These courses are: 

9th grade: Principles of Biomedical Science

Course # 8708110
1 credit (Honors credit)

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.

10th grade: Human Body Systems 
Course # 8708120 
1 credit (Honors credit) 
Prerequisite: Principles of Biomedical Science 

Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Manikin®; 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.

11th grade: Medical Interventions 
Course # 8708130 
1 credit (Honors credit) 
Prerequisite: Human Body Systems 

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. 


**Students can earn college credit from Santa Fe College for successfully taking and passing the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE), through Biotility and the University of Florida, during this course. 

For more information about the BACE Exam, please visit their website by clicking here.

12th grade: Biomedical Innovation 
Course # 8708140 
1 credit (Honors credit) 
Prerequisite: Medical Interventions 

In the final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, designed as a capstone course, 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. Students have the opportunity to gain real-world, hands-on experiences through clinical experiences in various medical fields. Students enrolled in this course will complete clinical experiences in the field consisting of various job-shadowing opportunities in a variety of medical settings.