Special Seminars

February 9, 2009 | 11:30, AAC 123
"Supernovae, explosions, and big computers"
Alexei Khokhlov, Astronomy

April 7, 2009 | 12:00, RI 180 | Host: Donald G. York
Accretion, Feedback, and Tidal Interaction Mechanisms in our Local Neighborhood
Nicolas Lehner, University of Notre Dame
Note: B.Y.O.B.Lunch
Characterizing the infall and outflow of gas and metals in galaxies is crucial for understanding the evolution of galaxies and the intergalactic medium. The study of these phenomena in local galaxies provides the most robust diagnostic tests for models of tidal interaction, galactic winds, and accretion of primordial material onto
galaxies, which are important for piecing together the history of matter and metals in the Universe. The Magellanic System with its high-velocity complexes connected to the Magellanic Clouds provides a laboratory where the techniques of gas-phase absorption line spectroscopy can be used to study the gas toward many individual stars and QSOs. Here I will present results on the Magellanic Clouds that have changed our views of these galaxies.

April 29, 2009 | 11:00, RI 480 | Host: Scott Dodelson
Enhancing Diversity in Astronomy in the Coming Decade
Keivan Stassun, Vanderbilt University
We briefly review the current status of ethnic minorities in the physical sciences: The underrepresentation of Black-, Hispanic-, and Native-Americans is an order of magnitude problem. We then describe in detail the Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD Bridge program as a successful model for effective partnerships with minority-serving institutions toward addressing this problem. The program couples targeted recruitment with active retention strategies, and is built upon a clearly defined structure that is flexible enough to address individual student needs while maintaining clearly communicated baseline standards for student performance. Students are deliberately prepared to transition into the Vanderbilt PhD program through active involvement in research experiences with future PhD advisers, coursework that demonstrates competency in core PhD subject areas, and frequent interactions with joint mentoring committees. Since 2004 the program has admitted 31 underrepresented minority students (60% female), with a retention rate of 94%. Recent research indicates that minority students are 50% more likely than non-minority students to seek a Masters degree en route to the PhD. In essence, the Bridge program builds upon this increasingly important pathway, with a dedicated mentoring process designed to ensure that the Masters-to-PhD transition is a successful one. Finally, we discuss larger demographic trends among minorities in higher education, and suggest promising approaches for significantly broadening participation of minorities in the coming decade