Interdisciplinary approach to teaching physics

For many students, grade 12 physics course is a gateway not only to physics but also to a variety of engineering and other university programs. Thus, it is important to incorporate in the physics curriculum applications to a broad spectrum of fields to expose students to a rich choice of future professions. One little known university program among high school students is biophysics. A survey conducted among high school and first year university students points to a very low understanding of this exciting and quickly developing field. This presentation gives a few ideas about how to spark an interest in biophysics among high school students.

Stan Jerzak obtained his Ph.D. from the Institute of Molecular Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, in 1982. After five years of postdoctoral research experience in Canada he joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at York University in 1988. Stan is very interested in an interdisciplinary approach to teaching physics. He has recently been given an opportunity to develop two new courses: first year physics with application to life sciences and a second year biophysics course. He would like to share his experiences, gained when developing these two courses, with teachers.