Doc Morris Public Lecture Series

The SDSU Physics Department presents a FREE public lecture once a year, which is intended to make physics, and science, accessible to a general audience. For enquiries please email the office.

Please consider making an annual donation to us to support the lecture series.

2013 - "The Origin of Heavy Elements: Cauldrons of the Cosmos"

Friday, April 26th, 2013 at 7:30 PM in GMCS-333 ('Geology Math and Computer Science' Building)

DOC MORRIS AND JOHN D. SCHOPP PUBLIC LECTURE

Rachid Ouyed, Physics and Astronomy University of Calgary, Canada

"The Origin of Heavy Elements: Cauldrons of the Cosmos".

Download the Printable Poster and Campus Map

Previous Lectures

• Friday, May 4th, 2012 at 7:00 PM Prof. Dan Stamper-Kurn, University of California, Berkeley "What to do with the coldest stuff in the Universe?".


• Tuesday 4th May 2010 at 7:03pm in NE-60
  Prof. Ivan K. Schuller, Physics Department and Center for Advanced Nanoscience, University of California-San Diego
  "Nanoscience; The physics of small things".


• Friday 1st May 2009 at 7:00pm in NE-60
  Prof. Michael Phelps, University of California, Los Angeles
  "Molecular imaging of the biology of disease with Positron Emission Tomography (PET)".


• Thursday 8th May 2008 at 7:00pm in GMCS 333
  Prof. George Fuller, University of California, San Diego
  "Neutrinos: Stealthy Agents of Destruction and Creation in the Cosmos".


• Thursday 12th April 2007 at 7:00pm in GMCS 333
  Prof. Ronald Walsworth, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
  "The Story of Stopped Light". See the promo poster. Brought to you by the APS Division of Laser Science's Distinguished Lecturer Program, and the SDSU Dept. of Physics.


• Tuesday May 9th 2006, 7:30 pm in North Education 60
  Prof. Kim Griest, University of California, San Diego
  "Dark Matter and Dark Energy".


• Inaugural: Wednesday, 4th May 2005 at 7:30 pm in Hepner Hall, HH 130
  Prof. Fridolin Weber of the Dept. of Physics, SDSU
  "Albert Einstein's Life and Science", a public lecture to celebrate the 2005 International World Year of Physics.

About Professor (Doc) Richard H. Morris

In 2007, the SDSU Department of Physics named it's Annual Public Lecture the 'Doc Morris Public Lecture Series' in honor of it's most senior Faculty Member Prof. Richard H. Morris who joined the SDSU Physics faculty 50 years ago (his original hire date is August 30, 1957). Doc is the longest serving active faculty member at SDSU! And one of the longest serving in the entire cal-state system.

See the photos from the Naming Ceremony in 2007 here.

Honored for Distinguished teaching in 1967-1968 Faculty Awards

Artist impression (by Navarro)

Doc Morris received his PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1957. He has supervised well over thirty graduate theses and dozens of undergraduate thesis projects in electromagnetism and optics. His PHYS 357 Advanced Physical Measurement class is legendary amongst our graduates.

Some select (anonymous) quotes from our students:

• It is amazing that Professor Morris has retained his enthusiasm and skill for so may years.
• Great class, great instructor. One of the best courses I've ever taken.
• I have learned more in Dr. Morris' class than in any other course I have taken at SDSU. He is always approachable with questions, always helpful.
• This is an excellent course. The way Dr. Morris maintains a high standard for the class is admirable. It causes the students to rise to the occasion. Complain as we do, the truth is that we've learned more because we were expected to learn more.