Faculty List

B Cameron Reed, Ph.D.

Chair and Professor of Physics
Joined Alma College Faculty in 1992
Dow 134
(989) 463-7266
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I have been on the Alma faculty since 1992. My teaching experience includes the full spectrum of undergraduate physics from freshman-level algebra-based PHY 112 to senior-level quantum mechanics. My research interests are primarly in the area of the history and physics of nuclear weapons (in particular, the Manhattan Project). I have also worked extensively on galactic structure (hot, blue stars) and made occasional forays into areas such as quantum physics and data analysis. I have published two textbooks and over 100 papers in peer-reviewed physics and astronomy journals. A third text, a synoptic history of the Manhattan Project, is in preparation and scheduled for publication in 2014.

Education

  • B.Sc. University of Waterloo (Canada) Physics 1977
  • M.Sc. Queen's University (Canada) Physics 1979
  • Ph.D. University of Waterloo (Canada) Physics 1984

Research Interests

Nuclear Physics, History of of the Manhattan Project; Astronomy, Galactic Structure, Quantum Physics. Over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Recent Courses Taught

  • Dymanics.  PHY 312.
  • Modern Physics.  PHY 221.
  • Introduction to Physics.  PHY 121.
  • Nuclear Physics & Weapons.  FYS 024.

Selected Book Publications

Selected Articles

  • B Cameron Reed, Ph.D..  "Review: Introduction to Modern Climate Change."  Physics and Society.  2013. 42. 2. 18-20  April 1, 2013.
  • B Cameron Reed, Ph.D..  "A Brief Guide to Manhattan Project Literature."  History of Physics Newsletter.  2013. XII. 1. 3-4  March 15, 2013.
  • B Cameron Reed, Ph.D..  "Manhattan Project Mystery."  History of Physics Newsletter.  2012. XI. 6. 4-5  November 8, 2012.
  • B Cameron Reed, Ph.D..  "The Context of Nuclear Inoculation."  Federation of American Scientists Perspectives.  http://www.fas.org/policy/hiroshima.html  August 6, 2012.
  • B Cameron Reed, Ph.D..  "Neutrons as Party Animals: An Analogy for Understanding Heavy-Element Fissility."  The Physics Teacher.  2012. 50. 9. 544-545.
  • B Cameron Reed (with T. Burr & S. Croft).  "Least-Squares Fitting with Errors in the Response and Predictor."  International Journal of Metrology and Quality Engineering.  2012
  • See More...

Selected Reviews

  • B Cameron Reed, Ph.D..  Review of Introduction to Modern Climate Change, by Andrew E. Dessler.  Physics and Society.  2013. 42. 2 18-20  April 1, 2013.
  • B Cameron Reed, Ph.D..  Review of Five Days in August: How World War II Became a Nuclear War, by Michael D. Gordin.  Physics & Society.  2008. 37. 1. 14-15
  • B Cameron Reed, Ph.D..  Review of Nuclear Weapons: What You Need to Know, by Jeremy Bernstein.  Physics & Society.  2008. 37. 2. 20-21
  • B Cameron Reed, Ph.D..  Review of Physics of Societal Issues: Calculations on National Security, Environment, and Energy, by David Hafmeister.  Physics & Society.  2007. 36. 3. 14-15
  • B Cameron Reed, Ph.D..  Review of Bomb Scare: The History & Future of Nuclear Weapons, by Joseph Cirincione.  Physics & Society.  2007. 36. 3. 14-15

Recent Presentations

  • B. Cameron Reed.  "A Fundamental-Physics Tour of the Manhattan Project."  Central Michigan University Department of Physics.  Mt. Pleasant, MI.  Jan. 24, 2013.
  • "A desktop-computer simulation for exploring the fission barrier."  Ohio Section, American Physical Society.  Cleveland, OH.  April 16, 2011.
  • "Bullion to B-Fields: The Silver Program of the Manhattan Project."  American Physical Society.  Washington, DC.  Feb. 14, 2010.
  • "Centrifugation and the Manhattan Project."  American Physical Society.  Denver, CO.  May 3, 2009.
  • "Arthur Compton's 1941 Analysis of Explosive Fission in U-235: The Physics.."  American Physical Society.  St. Louis, MO.  12 April 2008.
  • "Leaping the Fission Barrier: A Sophomore-Level Model."  American Physical Society, Ohio Section.  Oakland (MI) University.  October 2004.

Awards, Honors, Recognitions

Professional Memberships

  • International Astronomical Union
  • American Association of Physics Teachers
  • Sigma Xi
  • American Physical Society

Service to the College

  • Faculty Personnel Committee
  • Promotion review for Dr. Joe Beckmann, fall 2004
  • Faculty Forum: "A Nuclear Tourist," Nov. 5, 2004.
  • Academic Standards Committee (Fall 2004)
  • MCS Search Committee 2004/05
  • Alternate, Faculty Girevance Committee (continuing)

 

Alma College was born on Oct. 14, 1886. George F. Hunting was appointed the College’s first president and professor of moral and mental science. The College’s founding was made possible by Ammi W. Wright, a lumberman, businessman and civic leader who gave 30 acres of land and more than $300,000 to found and sustain the institution in its early years.

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Graduate Profile

Chad Jenkins

Chad Jenkins
Graduation: 1994
Major: Computer Science and Mathematics

Don’t take that URL at the top of the screen for granted! In 1994, alumnus Chad Jenkins had to work from scratch to create Alma College’s first official website.

“Jim Blumm and I worked together to establish it,” he says. “While it was exciting, I’ll admit our website was a bit less aesthetically pleasing than the current one.”

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