Defying gravity: A new spin on intro physics for life sciences
A new curriculum developed and tested at MSU puts the focus on the physics that life scientists need
The basic physics that a budding biologist needs to know is different from what’s useful to an astronomy student, so a new Michigan State University introductory physics curriculum is specifically tailored for life sciences majors.
MSU Professor Lisa Lapidus has been developing and piloting a new yearlong curriculum that bucks traditional physics pedagogy. Instead of following convention, the new program provides students who are pursuing careers in the life sciences about half of the students who take introductory physics with physics content tailored to their needs.