Biomedical Science
The rigorous and relevant four-course Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science sequence allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Students experience engaging activities such as a fictional death investigation to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future.
Biomedical Science at OPHS
Program Highlights
- Engage students one biomedical mystery at a time to expose the to real-world challenges.
- 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.
- Osbourn Park Biomedical Science courses are part of the AP + PLTW biomedical science pathway.
- Students can enroll in a variety of courses during their fourth year in the program, based on their interests in the biomedical sciences and desired pathway.
- Interdisciplinary and facilitated approach to learning.
- Students earn a Principles of Biomedical Certificate upon completion of the four Biomedical Science core courses.
- Nationally recognized program and curriculum taught by faculty with extensive training and relative career experiences.
Program Entry Requirements
Students wishing to enter the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program at OPHS must have a C average or higher in all core subjects (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies). No other requirements are considered.
Program Overview
By immersing students in activities like practice suturing and constructing body structures using clay, PLTW Biomedical Science empowers students to build knowledge and skills in biomedical science, as well as in-demand, transportable skills like problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, and collaboration.
Program Requirements
Students in the PLTW Biomedical Sciences program must maintain a C average or higher in all core subject areas (Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies). Students must also complete all four PLTW Biomedical courses with a C or better by the time they graduate.
Courses Currently Offered
Principles of Biomedical Science
By engaging in activities like dissecting a sheep heart, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person.
Human Body Systems
Through projects such as determining the identity of a skeleton using both forensic anthropology and DNA analysis, students examine the interactions of human body systems and apply what they know to solve real-world medical cases.
Medical Interventions
Students delve into activities like designing a prosthetic arm as they follow the life of a fictitious family and investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.
Biomedical Innovations
Students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design their own innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century.
Sample Course Sequences
Sample Ninth Grade Schedule
- Advance English 9 or English 9
- Advanced World History I or World History
- Advanced Biology or Biology
- Foreign Language
- PE
- Math
- PLTW Principles of Biomedical Sciences
Sample Tenth Grade Schedule
- AP Seminar 10 or English 10
- AP World History or World History II
- Advanced Chemistry or Chemistry
- Foreign Language
- PE
- Math
- Human Body Systems
Sample Eleventh Grade Schedule
- Student Electives
- AP Language and Composition 11 or English 11
- Mathematics
- AP U.S./VA History or U.S./VA History
- Physics I
- Medical Interventions
Sample Twelfth Grade Schedule
- Student Electives
- AP Literature or English 12
- AP Government or Government
- Mathematics
- Biomedical Innovations
Application Information
Application Information
Specialty program applications will be accepted November 3, 2025-February 1, 2026.
Who can apply?
Applications for this program are open for rising 9th and 10th grade students who attend one of the following schools:
- Colgan HS
- Forest Park HS
- Freedom HS
- Gar-Field HS
- Hylton HS
- Osbourn Park HS
- Potomac HS
- Woodbridge HS
Applicants must have a “C” or better in all class to qualify for admission.
Program Type
Transfer Program – Students participating in this program will transfer to Osbourn Park High School for all courses and activities. Express Bus Transportation is available to accepted students living outside the program location boundaries through Specialty Program Transportation.
Specialty Program Information Sessions
Osbourn Park High School will host two program-specific information sessions. We will be on hand to share information about the Biotechnology/Engineering Program, the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences Program, and Pre-Governors Program which are available to OPHS students, transfer students, and rising ninth and tenth graders.
If you have questions about any of the programs available at OPHS, feel free to join us.
The informational sessions will be held on November 6, 2025, 6 p.m. and January 13, 2026, 6 p.m. at Osbourn Park HS
Important Dates
- November 3, 2025, at 8 a.m. – Specialty Program Application Opens
- February 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. – Specialty Program Application Closes
- March 1, 2026 – Application results will be available for parents
- March 5, 2026 – Deadline to accept or decline an offer
Complete the Online Specialty Program Application
- The application must be completed by a parent/guardian.
- The student's grade level for the 2026-27 school year and attendance areas will determine the specialty programs available when completing the application.
- Up to five programs can be selected for high school students.
- The selected programs must be ranked in the order of preference before submitting the application.
Parents/guardians: You must use an email address or phone number associated with your ParentVUE account when creating an account.
- Go to the PWCS Specialty Programs Application website.
- Select sign up and choose if you want to register using an email address or phone number associated with your ParentVUE account.
- For phone number:
- Enter your mobile phone number in the box and select Send Verification Code.
- Once you receive the verification code via text message, type it into the verification code box and select Verify.
- Enter and confirm your password.
- For email address:
- Enter your email into the textbox, enter and confirm your password, and select sign up again.
- A confirmation message will appear and you will receive an email containing a verification link.
- Click Verify account in the email. A confirmation message will appear and you can now log in.
Returning Specialty Program Students
Returning Specialty Program Students
As we prepare for the upcoming academic year, specialty program studnets are required to complete the Returning Student Intent Forms. Below, you will find the link to the intent form:
Osbourn Park High School Specialty Program Intent Form SY 2025 - 2026
All responses from families are due by the end of the day on Friday, March 14, 2025 to finalize projections and transportation arrangements.
Thank you for your cooperation and timely attention to this matter.
Transfer Program
Transfer Program
Students participating in this program will transfer to the program location for all courses and activities.
Express bus transportation is available to accepted students living outside the program location boundaries through Specialty Program Transportation.