Report of Science at Williams College
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REPORT OF SCIENCE AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE 2010-2011 A RECORD OF THE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES OF FACULTY AND STUDENTS IN THE NATURAL SCIENCES Williamstown, Massachusetts 2011 – i – – ii – Cover: “715 molecules” is a stone table and benches engraved with the formulae of 715 molecules. It was donated in 2011 to the college in memory of J. Hodge Markgraf’52 Ebenezer Fitch Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus and was installed on the science quad in May. This photo was taken during the official unveiling of the piece and depicts a student reaching out to touch the polished stone surface of one of the benches. 715 molecules, 2011 sandblasted diorite table and benches 20 x 7.5 x 2.5 ft./6.1 x 2.3 x .8 m Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA © 2011 Jenny Holzer, member Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY Photo: Arthur Evans The Science Executive Committee wishes to express its gratitude to the extensive efforts of all the science departmental executive assistants in preparing contributions for this publication, and to Chanda Shepardson, administrative assistant at the Science Center, for assembling this material in its final form. Editor: Norman Bell This document is printed on recycled paper. – iii – Williams College admits men and women of any background to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the College. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or national ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other college administered programs. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in violation of the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1973, or the regulations thereunder, in the education programs or activities which it operates, including employment therein. The College does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973, or the regulations thereunder, in admission or access to its programs and activities. Inquiries concerning the College’s non-discrimination policies may be referred to the Dean of the College, Hopkins Hall, Williamstown, MA 01267. – iv – Table of Contents Science Programs at Williams College ............................................................................................................................ 1 Freshman and Sophomore Discovery Courses ............................................................................................................... 2 Kresge Foundation Equipment Grant ............................................................................................................................. 2 Sherman Fairchild Foundation Grant ............................................................................................................................. 3 SMALL .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Major Programs .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Winter Study Science Offerings ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Science Center Programs ................................................................................................................................................ 10 Summer Student Research Participation ....................................................................................................................... 10 Summer Research Colloquia 2011 ............................................................................................................................... 13 Academic Year Science Lunch Colloquia .................................................................................................................... 14 Pre-First Year Summer Science Program ..................................................................................................................... 14 Williams College Sigma Xi Chapter ............................................................................................................................ 15 News from the Science Departments.............................................................................................................................. 17 Astronomy Department ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Biology Department ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 Chemistry Department .................................................................................................................................................. 32 Computer Science Department ..................................................................................................................................... 42 Geosciences Department .............................................................................................................................................. 49 Mathematics and Statistics Department ........................................................................................................................ 55 Physics Department ...................................................................................................................................................... 68 Psychology Department ................................................................................................................................................ 74 Abstracts from Student Theses ...................................................................................................................................... 83 Astronomy .................................................................................................................................................................... 83 Biology ......................................................................................................................................................................... 83 Chemistry ..................................................................................................................................................................... 87 Computer Science ......................................................................................................................................................... 92 Geosciences .................................................................................................................................................................. 93 Mathematics and Statistics ........................................................................................................................................... 97 Physics .......................................................................................................................................................................... 99 Psychology ................................................................................................................................................................. 100 Faculty Publications ...................................................................................................................................................... 104 Astronomy .................................................................................................................................................................. 104 Biology ....................................................................................................................................................................... 108 Chemistry ................................................................................................................................................................... 112 Computer Science ....................................................................................................................................................... 115 Geosciences ................................................................................................................................................................ 119 Mathematics and Statistics ......................................................................................................................................... 133 Physics ........................................................................................................................................................................ 137 Psychology ................................................................................................................................................................. 139 – v – – vi – SCIENCE PROGRAMS AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE Students learn science best when they formulate and test their own hypotheses, using methods capable of producing convincing evidence. This is true at the elementary level, where students become interested in further study by encountering science as discovery rather than rote facts. It is even more important at advanced levels, where students are most likely to become interested in science careers by working as fully involved junior colleagues with professionally