Resources and community for teaching physics for life sciences
Pedagogical Methods Used
Peer Instruction / Think-Pair-Share, Collaborative problem-solving, Conceptually-oriented activities, Context-rich problems, Project-based learning, Guided inquiry, SCALE-UP / studio / workshop physics, Modeling Instruction, Mathematically-focused activities, Experimentally-focused activities
Life Sciences Focus
Biomechanics, physiology, diagnostic tools, therapeutic modalities, biomedical research techniques. Expanding into the cellular and molecular realm
Education Research and Pedagogy Expertise
Project-based Learning, Competency Assessment, Tailoring curriculum to student interests and needs, Student-driven inquiry
Years teaching physics for life sciences
22
Describe the courses that you teach for life sciences students
Physics for Life Sciences I & II sequence is algebra-based, integrated with lab activities, primarily serving pre-PT, pre-med, pre-vet, pre-dent, and clinical-track exercise science students. Physics of the Human Body is a conceptual one semester course primarily for occupational therapy assistant and performance-track exercise science students. Physics for the Biological Sciences I & II sequence is calculus-based integrated with lab activities, primarily serving biology majors and pre-med students.
What is your approach to teaching physics for life science students?
My goal is is enable students to be able to integrate physics into their future life/health science pursuits. Throughout the course, students practice using physics to enrich their understanding of their own self-selected life scenarios and phenomena