Raluca Teodorescu

Professor of Physics and Engineering

Montgomery College

Department of Physics

Life Sciences Focus

Whenever appropriate, I demonstrate how physics laws can be used to explain the motion of living systems at macroscopic or microscopic levels.

Education Research and Pedagogy Expertise

curriculum design and assessment, online and in-class education, faculty development

Describe the courses that you teach for life sciences students

I teach algebra-based and calculus-based physics courses in online and on-campus formats. In my courses, pre-med and pre-dental students and students majoring in biology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, sonography, bio-engineering, and pharmacy, learn together with students majoring in other domains (architecture, food industry, computer science, engineering).

What is your approach to teaching physics for life science students?

My teaching philosophy is focused on ideas influenced by both behavioral and constructivism theories. The general objectives of my pedagogy seek to help students: 1) deepen physics conceptual understanding, 2) develop problem-solving skills, 3) gain confidence in problem solving, 4) acquire expert-like habits and dispositions of learning, and 5) appreciate the real-world connections between the physics classroom and nature.