Physics Seminars and Colloquia

Each year, the department sponsors the Taylor Lecture Fund lecture in Physics.  Dinner after the lecture allows our students to interact more intimately with our guest. 

2009

Dr. Oskar Vafek, Class of 1998 Goucher Alumnus and an Assistant  Professor of Physics at Florida State University and National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida,  presented a colloquium to the campus community on Thursday, April 16 at 4:30pm in Kelly Lecture Hall.  Dr. Vafek discussed his research on graphene, a fascinating new material that holds promise to become the basic unit of future ultrafast electronics.

Prof. Vafek's colloquium was sponsored by the Taylor Lecture Fund, the Department of Physics and Astronomy , the Physics and Astronomy Club and the Society of Physics Students Chapter at Goucher College.

2007

On Tuesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. in Goucher College’s Kelley Lecture Hall, Dr. Eugenie Scott will present "The Evolution of Creationism", a free, public lecture that traces the history of creationism, intelligent design, and public education, from the Scopes trial through the recent court decision in Dover, PA. Her discussion will cover the scientific evidence supporting evolution, the legal and educational rationale for teaching it as science, religious points of view, and predictions for the future of the intelligent design debate.

A former university professor, Eugenie Scott earned her Ph.D. in biological anthropology at the University of Missouri. Since 1987, she has served as the executive director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), a nonprofit organization providing information and resources for schools, parents, and concerned citizens working to keep evolution in public-school science education. A national proponent of church-state separation, Scott serves on the National Advisory Council of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

2006

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Asian tsunami, and other natural disasters, climate research has become one of science’s hottest topics. David Straus, a professor of climate dynamics at George Mason University’s Center for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Studies, will explore this growing field with "Predictability vs. Chaos in Climate Science: Jet Streams, Storms, and El Niño", a free public lecture to be held Friday, February 3 at 4 p.m. in Goucher College’s Kelley Lecture Hall.

2005

Drazen Zanchi, professor of theoretical physics at the University of Paris, will present the latest findings about how the physico-chemical process involved in aging red wine may be related to its heart-healthy effects. The event is free and open to the public.  Friday, April 29 at 3:30 p.m. in Goucher College’s Kelley Lecture Hall,

2004

Dr Lawrence Krauss, 'Einstein's Biggest Blunder?: A Cosmic Mystery Story.'   This year's Lecturer is Dr Lawrence Krauss, who will give a talk to the greater Goucher Community (students, faculty, staff, general public) on November 17, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in Kelly Lecture Hall. The title of his talk is: "Einstein's Biggest Blunder?: A Cosmic Mystery Story." 

2003

Harry Shipman, 'Bioastronomy: New Understandings of Life in the Universe.'  Dr Shipman hold an appointment as the Annie Jump Cannon Professor in the Physics Department at the University of Delaware.  His visit was sponsored by the American Astronomical Society's Harlow Shapely Visiting Lectureship Program.

2002

Meet the Scientist: Richard DeVito, 'Stealth Fighters and Razor Blades: A Scientist's Life in Industry.'  Mr DeVito has worked in industry for fifteen years, during which he has held positions at Litton-Itek, Gillette, Corning Netoptix, and Unaxis.  Currently, Mr DeVito is with a start-up company involved with Atomic Layer Deposition for the semiconductor field.  Sponsored by the Taylor Lecture Fund.

2001

Dr Aghasi Torosyan, 'Mechanochemical Reduction of Metal Oxides and its application to the synthesis of composites, nanocompsites, and organometallic materials.'  Dr Torosyan is head of the Solid State Physics Laboratory at the Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.  His lecture can be downloaded by clicking here.  Sponsored by the Taylor Lecture Fund.