By focusing on how students conceptualize and reason through combinatorial problems, Lockwood has helped reshape approaches to teaching this foundational area of mathematics, helping educators foster deeper understanding rather than rote memorization. A national blueprint for teaching physics The College of Science once followed a traditional model for upper-level physics. While students were accepted to leading graduate schools and secured jobs with top companies, many struggled with the jump from introductory coursework to the greater mathematical and intellectual demands of junior- and senior-level physics. With support from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Physics overhauled the curriculum and created a program that emphasizes how physicists actually think. The result was the Paradigms in Physics program, which reorganizes upperdivision coursework around core concepts rather than traditional subject boundaries. Instead of long, separate courses in areas such as classical mechanics or electromagnetism, students move through a sequence of shorter, intensive courses emphasizing unifying ideas and problem-solving approaches that cut across subfields. The program helps students build connections between topics and apply the same underlying principles in different physical contexts. Instruction emphasizes collaborative learning, discussion-based problem solving and developing mathematical and physical intuition alongside formal techniques. The program has received national recognition for its contributions to undergraduate physics education and has influenced curriculum reform efforts at other universities. Teaching anatomy through digital tools Online college courses are now common, but becoming a scientist online can seem unlikely. At Oregon State, students can complete rigorous online coursework in subjects such as organic chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, taught by the same faculty who teach on campus. What distinguishes Oregon State’s online science courses is the careful attention to both teaching approach and digital delivery. Offered through OSU’s top-ranked Ecampus, these courses combine research-based teaching with expanded access, making College of Science programs accessible beyond the Corvallis campus. The College of Science offers more than 115 online courses for students pursuing degrees, completing science prerequisites or gaining skills for professional advancement. Rather than replicate the classroom, Ecampus science courses provide learning experiences tailored to digital environments. Courses emphasize active learning and frequent feedback through discussion forums, peer review, virtual labs and simulations. For example, Integrative Biology Assistant Professor Staci Bronson developed an interactive virtual “bone box,” created video lectures using a home lightboard studio and incorporated simulations that replicate the in-person lab experience. This work earned her the 2022 Ecampus Innovation Award. All Ecampus classes are asynchronous, providing flexibility while maintaining regular instructor interaction. This structure supports students balancing coursework with caregiving, military service and other responsibilities. “Taking science classes online at Oregon State made going back to school possible.” Full time environmental inspector and father Esteban Contreras was able to get a degree at Oregon State and learn the why behind his on-the-job chemistry lab knowledge. IMPACT FALL 2026 11
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