SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS AT GILROY HIGH

Biomedical Science Academy

Gilroy High School is home to the Biomedical Science Academy (BSA), a rigorous four-year pathway program, with a heavy emphasis in science and math. The program emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving. The hands-on learning engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they may not otherwise pursue, and provides them with a foundation and proven path to post-secondary training and career success in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-related fields.

The program includes courses from Project Lead The Way, a leading non-profit provider of STEM curricula in the United States. STEM education is at the heart of the today’s highly skilled tech and science-based global economy. The BSA was developed to give students an opportunity to excel in a growing field. PLTW has created a powerful relationship with colleges and universities across the nation to provide the best opportunities for students who graduate with a BSA certificate from Gilroy High.

BSA Requirements

Application process: Students interested in the program must apply in the spring of their eighth-grade year.

Participation in dual specialized programs: BSA works in tandem with other specialized programs at Gilroy High: Dual Immersion and the Agricultural Program/FFA. Students can be given accommodations to fulfill dual program requirements. This allows more students to participate in multiple programs without sacrificing the overall program rigor and expectations. Contact your academic coordinator for more information.

Course and grade requirements: To continue in the BSA, all science and math courses must be taken at Gilroy High and students must earn C- or better in these classes.

BSA Core Courses

FRESHMEN

Principles of Biomedical Sciences (PBS)

Course focus: An introduction to the biomedical sciences through exciting hands-on projects and problems. Students investigate the human body systems and various health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, hypercholesterolemia, and infectious diseases.

Key concepts: Homeostasis, metabolism, inheritance of traits, and defense against disease, engineering principles including the design process, feedback loops.

SOPHOMORES

Biotechnology I

Course focus: Biotechnology is taught as if it were a “real world” job setting. You are the employee and are carrying out sophisticated laboratory experiments. Students will not only have the opportunity to conduct investigations and utilize equipment used by professionals on a daily basis.

Key concepts: Laboratory job-skills that provide fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to pursue degrees and professions in the biotechnology field.

JUNiORS

Biotechnology II

Course focus: Builds on biotechnology skills and practices and introduces advanced techniques such as column chromatography and bacterial transformation, cloning, and bioinformatics. Students will design and conduct a research experiment, operating protocol, or product/prototype proposal .

Key concepts: Helps students make connections to applications with further study, internships and careers in industries; such as pharmacy, medicine, healthcare, forensics, agriculture, environmental science, and bioengineering.

SENIORS

Human Body Systems (HBS)

Course focus: In this capstone course, students examine the interactions of body systems as they explore identity, communication, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. 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.

Key concepts: 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.

BSA Course Sequence & Staff

Recommended Course Sequence

(BSA classes are in bold)

All science and math courses must be taken at Gilroy High and students must earn C- or better in these classes to stay in the BSA program.

See the full course descriptions in the course catalog.

FRESHMAN YEAR

English I or English I Honors
Math I or Math I+ Honors
P.E.*
World Language I
Biology or Honors Biology
Principles of Biomedical Science
Elective (zero period)*

SOPHOMORE YEAR

English II or English II Honors
Math II or Math II+ Honors
Biotechnology*
World Language II
World History or AP World History
Chemistry or Honors Chemistry
P.E. II (zero period)*

* BSA freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to take zero period P.E. to allow for additional electives.

JUNIOR YEAR

English II or AP English Language
Math III, Math III+ Honors or AP Precalculus
U.S. History or AP U.S. History
Physics or AP Physics
World Language III or Fine Art
Biotechnology II

SENIOR YEAR

English IV or AP English Literature
Statistics, Trig Precalculus, AP Precalculus, AP Calculus AB or AP Statistics
Government/Economics or AP Government/Economics
Sports Medicine or elective
Anatomy and Physiology or AP Biology **
Human Body Systems

** BSA students must complete one, but two are recommended, of these three advanced science courses their junior and senior years: Anatomy and Physiology or AP Biology.

Program Staff

Janet Lee

Tracy Serros

Questions?

Jennifer Spinetti-Lightfoot, Specialized Programs coordinator
jennifer.spinetti@
gilroyunified.org

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