Faculty Spotlight: George Randall

The study of physics explains the basic concepts of energy, force, space and time. For non-science majors on campus, this could seem like a different language. But for the students in professor George Randall’s physics class, it’s like second nature to them.

Randall, who is an adjunct professor of the physics and astronomy departments, says the best way for students to learn all about physics, regardless of major, is through making it more applicable to themselves.

“One of the things about physics is that people think of the way physics used to be taught,” Randall said. “We don’t do that anymore. We use what is called conceptual physics. We teach the concept, then once we’ve got the concept taught, then we introduce the mathematics, so that students understand what the terminology is and what it deals with.”

Indeed, conceptual physics helps students become better acquainted with the practical study of this particular science. According to Randall, getting people to redefine the terminology, along with seeing students understand and react to it, makes it more exciting.

Randall also says that the idea of this new concept will help students along in an elementary school setting, of which most of his students, Education and Mathematics majors, plan to be. Kevin Jonathan, a senior physical science major, intends to use the concept in his career after graduation.

“It really helps you to learn physics from a non-mathematical view,” Jonathan said. “I like how he uses different applications. I’ll definitely be using them when I teach.”

Rachael Rhodes, a freshman math and science and elementary education major, suggested that Randall’s course is a great choice to fulfill a general education requirement.

“I would recommend the class to students who are non-science majors, and to students who are looking for general education science course for their major,” Rhodes said.

Before Rowan, Randall was a geophysicist for several years, but he is not new to the teaching game. He has been teaching here at Rowan since 2001, and doesn’t plan to slow down. He said he loves his job, and the best thing about it is the students.

“I just thoroughly enjoy working with the science majors and the non-science majors, and to see them grasping the idea of physics, and everything that we’re dealing with,” Randall said.