Physics, biology and chemistry: teaching at the interface between the natural sciences

The biological physics major at Georgetown University was created to attract premed students who might otherwise major in biology. Many of these students will have taken physics and calculus – frequently at the AP level – in high school and are often not aware that physics can be a viable path to medical school. This talk will discuss our philosophy in developing the major and the requirements to complete the major; I will focus on the two-semester sequence in biological physics and the independent research project. I will also present some of the benefits as well as the challenges that we have experienced as we work to refine the major as well as what types of paths our majors take after they graduate.