Karen Johnson | St. Lawrence University

Karen Johnson

Chair, Associate Professor Physics

Bewkes Science Hall 225

kjohnson@stlawu.edu | (315) 229-5495

Overview

Biography
Education
Academics

Dr. Johnson has been teaching in the St. Lawrence Physics department since 1989. See the Academics tab above for more information.

Fall 2017 Courses:

FYPG 1058: Great Debates in Physics
Phys 221: Modern Physics
Phys 489: SYE Advanced Laboratory

Spring 2018 Courses:

Phys 110: The Scientific Revolution
Phys 152L: Lab for University Physics (Lab instructions)
Phys 490: SYE Advanced Laboratory

Ph.D. - History of Science and Technology

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

M.S. - Physics

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

B.A. - Physics

Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA

Research Interest:

Dr. Johnson studies the history of modern physics, particularly nuclear and chemical physics. Her work has focused on the close analysis of the evolution of scientific ideas, such as the wave theory of light and the nuclear shell model. She also studies the history of women in science and the role of collaboration in scientific creativity.

Sample Student Projects Supervised:

Genesis of the Dragon Lady: Chien-Shiung Wu’s Years in China and Her Contribution to the Discovery of Non-conservation of Parity in Beta Decay - Xiaoying Claire Lu '16
"Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity: a Case Study of How Models are Used in Physics" - Abagael Giles '15
"A Search for Variations in the Decay Rate of 54Mn During Solar Cycle 24" – Luke Dobrowski '13
"Using Gamma Spectrometry and Radon Detection to Determine Uranium and Radon Presence in Well Water" - Alexandra Kusnezov '08
"Assessment of Covering Materials for Mitigation of Radon from Concrete" - Kit Wright '08

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