Radiations

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Carleton College

February 10-16, 2002

Weekly Calendar

Feb 14, Thursday, Noon CTR (Sevy), Physics Table, Join the department staff for lunch and good company. We can meet on 3rd Olin at 11:50 for the short walk to the CTR (Sevy Hall) or you can meet us there. Students off-board are invited to bring their lunch.

Copies of the introductory papers are available for your review in Second Olin Lounge

Monday, Feb. 11, 3:10-4:20pm, Olin 02, Jeff Hellman’s Comps Presentation Talk: "Mechanisms of Protein Folding, Stabilization and Experimental Structure Determination" Proteins are responsible for just about every reaction that occurs in life. Come see how physics governs the processes by which proteins become active. Learn how you can fold your own proteins (it really is possible, I swear), and hear about the most powerful supercomputer on the planet. Mix a little chemistry and biology together with physics and the possibilities are endless. Oh yeah, I'll bring food too.

Wed., Feb 13, 3:10-4:20 pm, Olin 02, Suzanne Rousseau’s Comps Presentation Talk: "An Introduction to Audio Recordings", "Audio Recording" Audio recording plays a large role in most people's lives. Since the dawn of the phonograph, listening to recorded music has become a popular past-time. My talk will cover the details of how phonographs, cassette tapes, and compact discs work. I will also talk briefly about microphones and loudspeakers. Come learn how your stereo works.

Friday, Feb 15, 3:30-4:40 pm, Olin 02, Hite Geffert's Comps Presentation Talk: "Symmetry and Quantum Mechanics: together at last" Symmetry is one of the most important and deepest concepts in physics, and is responsible for much of the "beauty" often referred to in describing physics theory. My talk will explore the role symmetry plays in quantum mechanics. Oooooooh.

To check on dates and times of all comps talks see: http://physics.carleton.edu/Updates/fcompschedule.html

Peace Corps visits Carleton, Wednesday, Feb 20. There will be an Information Table in Sayes-Hill 10:00-3:00. Application Tips and Slide Show, Hill Lounge, 4-5 pm. Apply now and interview on campus, call 800-424-8580, option 1. For more information, see: http://www.peacecorps.gov

Undergraduate Researchers' Graduate School Registry. The Council on Undergraduate Research (http://www.cur.org) has initiated a Registry of Undergraduate Researchers. The purpose of this registry is to facilitate matchmaking between undergraduates with research experience and a desire to pursue an advanced degree, and graduate schools seeking high quality students who are well prepared for research. Currently the Registry is open to students and graduate schools/employers in nearly all the fields of science that are supported at NSF. They also hope to add a second module next year, for students wishing to enter the workforce upon graduation and potential employers.

Any undergraduate may go to http://www.cur.org/ugreg/ to fill out a simple vitae form. There is no charge to the student. Student information records will be made available to bona fide graduate schools that contract with CUR for this service. Organizations or companies seeking the students' information for other marketing purposes will not be granted access.

Possible advantages: Name visibility. Graduate schools will know your name and you will hear from schools you might not have initially considered. Possible disadvantage: You might hear too much -- i.e., it is possible that many schools will send you information and it might get somewhat overwhelming. The advantages probably outweigh the possible disadvantage, but it's your call.

Summer Student Research at Carleton, The following Professors anticipate that they will be looking for student researchers for this summer. Contact them for more details if you are interested. Maurice Clark and Kevin Pettit

List of REU Sites by The National Science Foundation "Research Experiences for Undergraduates" Program. For further information concerning the REU Programs contact: http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/reu/reulist.htm. It lists all of the REU Sites and of some other activities. Contact each Site directly for specific information and for application procedures and deadlines.

Maryland Sea Grant College Undergraduate Fellowships in Estuarine Science. Open to undergraduates who have completed at least two years of college. Web Site: http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/Education/REU Deadline: March 8, 2002.

Past and Current REU Information: http://physics.carleton.edu/Updates/finternships.html