In this course, the third course in the Biomedical Science pathway, students will follow the life of a fictional family as they investigate the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Students will study real-world cases as well as interventions and careers related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics.

Unit

Timeframe

Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)

Major Learning Experiences from Unit 

Unit 1 -

How to Fight Infection

September - November (~10 weeks)

  1. What are medical interventions?

  2. How has advanced technology, such as bioinformatics, changed disease detection?

  3. Why can bacterial cells transfer genes from one bacterial cell to another and why is this important?

  4. What actions are humans taking that are contributing to bacteria becoming resistant to commonly used antibiotics?

  5. What are the bioethical concerns related to the use of cochlear implant technology?

  6. How has vaccination impacted disease trends locally and globally?

  7. Why are plasmids important tools in genetic engineering?

- DNA sequencing

- Contact tracing

- ELISA testing

- Serial dilutions

- Antibiotic therapy

- Antibiotic resistance

- Anatomy of hearing

- Hearing loss

- Vaccinations

Unit 2 - 

How to Screen What Is In Your Genes

November - December

(~7 weeks)

  1. How do genetic counselors assist patients with decisions related to reproduction or personal disease risk?

  2. What is the relationship between phenotype and genotype?

  3. What medical interventions and lifestyle modifications can help a pregnant woman have a healthy pregnancy?

  4. What are the ethical implications of genetic testing?

  5. How can genetic diseases be cured if scientists replace faulty genes?

  6. How might gene therapy open the door to genetic enhancement?

  7. What are some of the ethical dilemmas surrounding current and future reproductive technology?

- Gene therapy

- Genetic counseling

- PCR

- Gel electrophoresis

- Maternal and child health

- Reproductive technology

Unit 3 -

How to Conquer Cancer

January - March

(~8 weeks)

  1. How does the development of cancer relate to the cell cycle?

  2. What information can gene expression patterns tell scientists?

  3. How can behavioral, biological, environmental, and genetic risk factors increase or decrease the chance that a person will develop cancer?

  4. How can molecular tests be used to detect inherited genetic mutations associated with certain cancers?

  5. How do medical professionals design the most appropriate treatment plan for a cancer patient?

  6. How do advances in technology allow for the development of artificial limbs that look and move like actual human limbs?

  7. How do physical and occupational therapists help patients with disabilities or patients recovering from surgery or injury?

  8. How are clinical trials set up to ensure all data collected is valid and that all human subjects are treated ethically?

- Risks of cancer

- Diagnostic imaging

- Cell division

- DNA microarray

- Pearson correlation coefficient

- Breast cancer

- Cancer screenings

- Cancer treatments

- Prosthetics

- Physical therapy

- Occupational therapy

- Medicine

- Clinical trials

Unit 4 - 

How to Prevail When Organs Fail

April - June

(~6 weeks)

  1. How can genetic engineering be used to produce proteins such as insulin?

  2. How is it decided who should receive a donated organ?

  3. What are the factors that determine whether a donor and a recipient are a compatible match?

  4. What are the pros and cons of minimally invasive surgery over traditional open procedures?

  5. What determines whether an organ or tissue in the body can be replaced?

  6. How can technology help remodel or enhance the human body?

  7. What role do medical interventions play in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease?

- Protein electrophoresis

- Bioengineering

- Organ failure

- Transplantations

- Suturing