Bridgewater College - Fall 2007
		PHYS 460 Senior Seminar
		Instructor: Dr. Richard L. Bowman

Notices

The Physics and Chemistry of Microfluidic Devices

Chris Hughes, PhD
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
James Madison University

Friday, November 9
MCK 219

Microfluidic devices are currently of great interest because of the of rapid development of micro total analysis (-TAS) technologies. These devices, commonly called "lab-on-a-chip", could radically change existing analytical techniques in biology and even be used as microchemical reactors. Their usefulness stems from the novel properties that fluids have in very small geometries and the different ways in which they can be handled. This talk will discuss some of these properties of microfluidics and the types of research accessible to undergraduates in this field. Examples will be shown of the devices made by students in our labs and the new structures and techniques they have developed. In addition, other research opportunities at JMU will be briefly summarized including summer programs such as the Research Experiences for Undergraduates.

The Nuts and Bolts of Structural Engineering

Keith P Weakley, PE
District Structure & Bridge Engineer
Virginia Department of Transportation - Staunton District

Wednesday, November 7
MCK 219

Basically, it will be a general overview of civil engineering (focus on coursework, definitions, and salary info), with a bit more specificity on structural engineering.

Using Calculus of Variations to Solve the Brachistochrone and Tautochrone Problems

Paul J. Bender, PhD
Professor of Mathematics
Bridgewater College

Friday, October 26
MCK 219

Sunspots and Other Solar Active Region Phenomena

Philip T. Spickler, PhD
Associate Professor of Physics
Bridgewater College

Wednesday, October 24
MCK 219

Circular Dichroism Spectra & the Structure of Biomolecules

Richard L. Bowman, PhD
Professor of Physics
Bridgewater College

Friday, October 12
MCK 219

Created and maintained by: Richard L. Bowman (last updated: 28-Nov-07)