Principles of Biomedical Science

Kent Island High School

Course Syllabus

Fall Semester 2018

Teacher: Mrs. Rebecca Ritz Department: Career Technology Education Credit: 1

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology with a “C” or better, Effort, Positive Attitude

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Students investigate the human body systems and various health conditions including heart disease,

diabetes, sickle-cell disease, 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 may have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students

to human physiology, medicine, research processes and bioinformatics. 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.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

This course provides an introduction to the biomedical sciences through exciting “hands-on”

projects and problems. Student work involves the study of human medicine, research processes, and

an introduction to bio-informatics. Students investigate the human body systems and various health

conditions including heart disease, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, hypercholesterolemia, and

infectious diseases. A theme through the course is to determine the factors that led to the death of a

fictional person. After determining the factors responsible for the death, the students investigate

lifestyle choices and medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. Key biological

concepts including: homeostasis, metabolism, inheritance of traits, feedback systems, and defense

against disease are embedded in the curriculum. Engineering principles including: the design

process, feedback loops, fluid dynamics, and the relationship of structure to function are

incorporated in the curriculum where appropriate. The course is designed to provide an overview of

all the courses in the Biomedical Sciences program and to lay the scientific foundation necessary for

student success in the subsequent courses.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Unit of Study Time Frame

Unit 1 – The Mystery 3 weeks

Unit 2 – Diabetes 4 weeks

Unit 3 – Sickle Cell Disease 2.5 weeks

Unit 4 – Heart Disease 5 weeks

Unit 5 – Infectious Disease 2 week

Unit 6 – Post mortem 1 weeks

EXPLANATION OF ASSESSMENTS/ACTIVITIES/PROJECTS:

1. Assignments: This course is a computer based course. As a member of the class, students will

have access to the entire curriculum through a Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).

Assignments will be available to students through the LMS including due dates and drop boxes.

This is a COLLEGE LEVEL COURSE that moves at a quick pace. It is in a student’s BEST

interest to log on to the LMS often, especially if absent and capable of doing work in order to

keep up. I will be available MOST days after school, with notification, to help students.

2. Group activities: Research and Lab activities will be done in groups of 2-3 students with group

data, and individually prepared calculations, analysis, and conclusions. Students will be given

class time to complete most activities. If activities require time outside of the classroom to

complete, due dates will be provided. Each day late subtracts 10% from your grade on that

activity. No credit will be given for work that is plagiarized or completed without following

assignment guidelines.

3. Career Journals: Students will be assigned career journals to complete and turn in throughout the

semester. A calendar with due dates will be provided at the beginning of the semester along with

a grading rubric. Reports must be typed and turned in on time on the LMS. 10% will be deducted

for all late assignments. No credit will be given if over 5 days late.

4. Lab Journal: Students will be required to keep a Lab journal (composition notebook) for all

procedural steps of class activities. These books must contain clearly labeled neat entries of all

steps completed during research and experimental activities. Each student is responsible for

keeping documentation of all group activities. These notebooks will be graded throughout each

unit and/or at the end of each unit.

5. Portfolio: Students will create a professional portfolio of their work as the semester progresses.

Student will be required to keep a case study paper portfolio on Anna that will be used in Unit

6: Post Mortem to identify the cause of Anna’s death. Additionally, an electronic portfolio of

student progress/projects will be kept and graded as a summative assessment at the end of each

unit.

6. FINAL EXAM: In lieu of a county final, students will take a computer-based exam for PLTW.

This cumulative exam is given near the end of the semester and is required by the County and

PLTW. Students are to keep a neat notebook to prepare for this exam. The notebook is to include

all notes and handouts from the semester.

TEXTBOOK/MATERIALS: REQUIRED

3 Ring Binder (1.5’) & 8 dividers

Paper, pens and pencils

Composition book (for labs - Mandatory)

CALCULATOR (only basic functions are

necessary….mathematical calculations are

difficult without the use of a calculator)

CLASSROOM REQUIREMENTS:

1. Courtesy and respect for classmates and the teacher must be displayed at all times. This

relates to another person’s space, property, safety, and emotional or physical condition. Lack of

respect for other students’ opportunity to learn, including classroom disruptions will begin with

a verbal conference with student(s). Serious or repeated incidents will result one or more of the

following: daily work impact, parent/guardian contact, detention, administrative referral, or

removal from class.

2. Safety is CRITICAL! There is NO TOLERANCE for “HORSE-PLAY” in this class.

Failure to comply with any safety rules set forth in the county guidelines will result in

immediate removal from the lab, and a zero grade for the current lab. Serious incidents will also

result in detention and/or administrative referral.

3. No food, drink, gum, or candy is allowed in the classroom AT ANY TIME. This is for

safety, federal standards, and sanitary purposes. Consequences begin with verbal warning and

confiscation of item. Beyond two incidents, detention will be assigned or a referral written.

4. Each class member will be assigned a lab partner(s) and a lab bench area. Students are

responsible for maintaining a clean lab area and returning materials in proper condition.

Students will stay after class or after school to reinforce proper behavior if needed. Intentional

deviations will result in detention or referral.

5. Each student is expected to work up to his or her capabilities and to submit quality work

created solely by the student. Copying another person’s work, using “crib” sheets, or

plagiarizing materials will result in a ZERO grade on that assignment or assessment.

Notification will also be made to the parents and the National Honor Society.

6. Come prepared. Students must have notebooks and pen/pencil daily. For labs, students without

shoes will not participate and will be given an alternative in-class assignment with a maximum

possible grade of 80%. (Advance notice is given for shoes…if a student would like, a pair of lab

shoes may be kept in the classroom)

7. Approved early dismissal must be communicated at the beginning of class. Students are

responsible for all obtaining and on-time completion of classwork and assessments. Students are

responsible for arrangements to get notes from a classmate.

8. Observe school Dress code. School policies will be observed regarding poor choices.

CLASS ROOM PROCEDURES:

Tardiness Policy: All students are expected to be on time (i.e. when the bell rings). Please plan

lavatory, locker, and fountain visits between classes. Unexcused tardiness will result in:

First time: Verbal warning

Second time: Notification of parent or guardian

Third time: Detention

Fourth time: Referral

Absence Policy: All students are expected to be in class daily. If you are absent you are encouraged

to visit the online classroom to obtain your missing work. The county policy will be followed

regarding timeliness for submitting missing work. Tests will be announced well in advance,

therefore, if you are aware of the testing date and are absent the day of the test you will be expected

to take the test during the class period of the day you return. If you are absent the day before a test,

you are expected to come in prepared to take the test with the rest of the class.

Notebook Policy: Students are expected to keep an organized notebook that is adequate to support

their learning and prepare for the final exam. Key information or assignments should be easily

located. Lab notebooks must contain records of all activities completed for a given activity. These

notebooks will be graded throughout the unit or at minimum at the end of the unit to ensure all

work is being completed

GRADING POLICY:

Formative Assessments: 40%

Career Journals 10 %

Warm-up, exit and lesson conclusion

questions and notebook grade 30%

Summative Assessments: 45%

Formal writing/presentations/portfolio 25%

Tests/quizzes 20%

Final Exam: 15%

A note to the student...You, as a student, are responsible for maintaining a high level of performance in

your studies. If you are having trouble, or just want clarification of a topic, I am here to help. After

school help sessions are available with Mrs. Ritz. Students MUST arrange for transportation before

staying after school and need to confirm with me that I am available for the day you want to stay.

A note to the parent or guardian... I am looking forward to having your son/daughter for the coming

semester of Principles of Biomedical Sciences. Please be aware that progress reports are sent home

electronically during the semester from the school. Please contact me with any questions or concerns

during the semester, especially if you are noticing any difficulties at home or if any unforeseen problems

arise for your child. E-mail is the fastest way to let me know that you need to speak with me. I will call

you back as soon as I can once I receive your message.

In addition to this syllabus, students and parents/guardians are required to Read and Sign the Laboratory

Student Safety Rules set forth by Queen Anne’s County Board of Education and the Code of Ethics. The

safety rules and code of ethics documents are provided separately. This is to ensure a safe environment in

the laboratory where everyone is performing to the best of his/her own ability. Students are NOT

permitted to perform any lab work until the safety form has been signed and returned to Mrs. Ritz.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Ritz

rebecca.ritz@qacps.org

(E-mail is the best way to contact me, however, I will

call you if let me know you need to speak with me.)

410-604-2070 (Main Campus)

For your records, please

complete contract on last page

Return this portion to Mrs. Ritz in class.

Please READ AND CHECK all applicable boxes and SIGN below indicating….

I have read the Course syllabus. I understand the listed requirements, policies, and procedures. I

also understand that my student has a better chance of being successful when he or she is attentive

in class, on time, and completing assignments according to directions and timelines.

I have read the County Ethics Code regarding plagiarism. I understand that my student should

only submit work that represents his or her best effort and that submitting someone else’s work is

plagiarism. This work will earn a 0 and the Academic Dean will be notified.

Student Name (Printed) _____________________________________________

Student Signature___________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature ____________________________________Date ____________

Contact Number _____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Email ________________________________________________

PLEASE TURN THIS PAGE OVER AND COMPLETE THE BACK. A full size version of this

contract has been included with your course syllabus and has been reviewed with your student. Please

complete, sign, and date the reduced sized contract on the back indication that you understand that

students MUST adhere to all of the lab safety procedures while in this class. Failure to do so will result

in dismissal for the lab setting and the student will earn a zero for the assignments. If warranted, the

student will also be referred to the Administration for disciplinary action.

NO student will be allowed in the lab without a signed contract!