Robert Hilborn

University of Maryland College Park

Physics

Pedagogical Methods Used

Peer Instruction / Think-Pair-Share, Collaborative problem-solving

Life Sciences Focus

Cell membranes, action potentials, genetic circuits, simple computational models

Education Research and Pedagogy Expertise

Developing simple physics models that illuminate living processes. Using simple computational models to simulate those processes. I am the PI for the AAPT part of the NSF grant that supports the Living Physics Portal. In that role, I oversee finances, work closely with the Editorial Team, and explore ways to secure long-term financial sustainability for the Portal.

Describe the courses that you teach for life sciences students

Not currently involved in teaching. In the past, I taught intro physics for life science majors (mostly pre-meds) and topical courses such as The Physics of Cell Membranes and Light, Color, and Vision.

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

Understand the interests and needs of the students and design courses that play to those interests and needs and that build the students' knowledge that physics helps them be better physicians, nurses, life science researchers and so on.