Engineering Education Blog: Marie Curie defends thesis
by Alice Agogino
closeAuthor: Alice Agogino
Name: Alice Agogino
Email: agogino@berkeley.edu
Site: http://www.me.berkeley.edu/faculty/agogino/
About: Alice M. Agogino is the Roscoe and Elizabeth Hughes Professor of Mechanical Engineering and is affiliated faculty at the Haas School of Business in their Operations and Information Technology Management Group. Her research interests include: community-based design; sustainable engineering; intelligent learning systems; information retrieval and data mining; multiobjective and strategic product design; nonlinear optimization; probabilistic modeling; intelligent control and manufacturing; sensor validation, fusion and diagnostics; wireless sensor networks; multimedia and computer-aided design; design databases; design theory and methods; MEMS/NEMS synthesis and computer-aided design; artificial intelligence and decision and expert systems; and gender/ethnic equity.
She has served in a number of administrative positions at UC Berkeley, including Chair of the Faculty Senate, Associate Dean of Engineering and Faculty Assistant to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost in Educational Development and Technology. Prof. Agogino also served as Director for Synthesis, an NSF-sponsored coalition of eight universities with the goal of reforming undergraduate engineering education, and continues as PI for the NEEDS (www.needs.org) and SMETE.ORG digital libraries of courseware in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.
Prof. Agogino received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico (1975), M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering (1978) from the University of California at Berkeley and Ph.D. from the Department of Engineering-Economic Systems at Stanford University (1984). Prior to joining the faculty at UC Berkeley, she worked in industry for Dow Chemical, General Electric and SRI International. She has authored over 150 scholarly publications; has won numerous teaching, best paper and research awards; and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). At NAE she served on the Committee on Engineering Education, working on the Technologically Speaking and the Engineer 2020 projects. She is currently a member of the National Research Council's Board on Education and the Women in Academic Science Engineering Committee. She has supervised 66 MS projects/theses, 26 doctoral dissertations and numerous undergraduate researchers.See Authors Posts (387) · June 25th, 2009 · 64 Comments
Today in History – June 25, 1903 – Marie Curie defends her doctoral thesis, then gets Nobel Prize five months later. Did she just procrastinate? Or were thesis standards higher a century ago at the Sorbonne? I haven’t seen a good explanation for the delay, other than she was busy discovering new elements.
Earlier in 1898, Marie and Pierre Curie made repeated separations of the various substances in pitchblende (photo on left) and used a Curie electrometer to identify two unidentified radioactive fractions that remained in pitchblende after uranium was removed. They discovered that the one containing mostly bismuth also contained a new element they named “polonium” in honor of the country of Marie’s birth. The barium fraction contained another new element, which they named “radium” from the Latin word for ray. They were able to add two new elements in the Periodic Table. While the chemical properties of the two new elements were completely dissimilar, they both had strong radioactivity. Radium was later isolated as a pure metal in 1902, but the discovery was not published in the popular press until this day in 1903.
Evidently, Marie Curie was so focused on her research that she had neglected to complete the writing of her thesis, which she finally got around to defending on June 25, 1903 titled: “Research on radioactive substances”.
Marie and Pierre Curie shared the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Henri Becquerel, their contributions associated with the discovery of spontaneous radioactivity. Marie Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 “in recognition of her services to the advancement of chemistry by the discovery of the elements radium and polonium, by the isolation of radium and the study of the nature and compounds of this remarkable element”. Alas Pierre Curie was not able to share the Nobel Prize this time as he was killed earlier in a carriage accident in a rainstorm in Paris on April 11, 1906. The curie is a unit of radioactivity originally named in honor of Pierre Curie by the Radiology Congress in 1910, after his death.
Marie Curie was the first person to win two Nobel prizes. Her daughter, Irene Joliot-Curie (photo below right), also won a Nobel Prize in 1935.
See the Engineering Pathway’s educational resources on Marie and Pierre Curie and radium. Or visit the Nuclear Engineering Education community site for more information. Also our resources on women in science and engineering and gender equity today.
Tags: General Engineering, Engineering Science
64 responses so far ↓
1 Jessica of Power Prolines // Feb 12, 2010 at 1:06 am
What an interesting article, I have seen on this site so many woman that have really achieved such greatness that I had no idea had. Make one proud to be a woman as men always seem to think that we are not really that good at most things and this just proves that we are, and it goes back so far in our history.
2 Marie Curie Biography // Aug 29, 2010 at 9:26 pm
I marvel by Marie Curie, very women of science dare to in doing radioactive research. The incredible woman who we all know as Madame Curie or Marie Curie discover the radioactive substances of radium and polonium. The first woman scientists and one of the GREAT SCIENTISTS of the 20th Century.
3 Kevin Rudd // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:38 pm
if im prime minister ever again ill shhut this down OK
4 Julia Gilliard // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Oh shoosh you
5 Tony Abbot // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:40 pm
omg julia i know imma beat you in dis election i know dass true
6 Marie Curie // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:42 pm
omg what a great article about me,why does everyone think im dead
7 Lil Jon // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:42 pm
YEEAH ! SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS !
8 PUFF DADDY // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:43 pm
HEY LIL JON
9 LIL CURIE // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:43 pm
HEY BITCHASS
10 ILOVEMARIECURIE // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:44 pm
OMG !LOL
i like so cant believe that you think shes dead?
fyi shes my great great great grandmother.x
11 Obama // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:45 pm
YES WE CAN !
12 CAMBRIDGE // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:45 pm
STOP IT GEORGE IF YU WANNA BE A GOOSE!
13 Justin Bieber // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:45 pm
HAI GUYS.
14 GRINCHY MAYS // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I HAVE TO STEAL CHRISTMAS!
15 Justin Bieber // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:46 pm
kill me marie curie(:
16 JUSTIN BEIBER // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I HATE MYSELF AND WANT TO DIE
17 ABRAHAM // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:48 pm
NOW KIDS DO YORU REASERCH ON MARIE CURIE!
18 Ned Kelly // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Don’t hate guys !
She helped me overcome depression !
Like I went to her house and had soo many Sesh Parties :) .
xox
19 TANEISHA // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:49 pm
IM SUCH A BITCH
20 GEORGE // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:50 pm
I AM I LOVVEEE WITH KAREN ! <3
21 ALLIRA // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:50 pm
ME TOO TANEISHA
22 KAREN DIXON CHERRY DOLPHIN // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:51 pm
OH NO HE ISNT
23 The "Ripper" // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Well, im going to more fun playing Halo,while you losers talk about me on this site (:
much love
p.s dont make me come over there and rip your heads off !
24 HEY RIPPER I KNOW YA KAREN // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:53 pm
YU LIL THING YU AINT FOOLIN ANYONE ILL KILL YAH IF I COULD BF GETTIGN UP CUZ YOUR RIGHT THERE
25 KEVIN RUDD // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:55 pm
XOXO@JULIA
26 Bratz // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Hey Guys,
Like Your Invited to my party if you want :)
Its all pink and glittery and i know you girls LOVE that stuff (:
okay, meet us on the moon, right next to Neil Armstrong.
xox Love Me … Bratz
27 Dictionary // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:56 pm
allira – (verb) doing word
“i DID allira last night”
28 JULIA GILLARD // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:57 pm
OMG I LIKE LUV YOU SOO MUCH KEVIN!!
XOXOXOXOXOX mwa mwaaaa
29 serial killer // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:58 pm
HEY GUYS I LUUV YA SO MUCH IM THE BEST KILLAH EVAH!!!!!!!!!!!1
30 Pamela Anderson // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:58 pm
OMG !
Listen here Julia ! Tonys Mine and we have like many sex tapes done !
on to my 69 ! hahah
LEAVE HIM ALONE
31 CARMEN ELECTRA // Aug 30, 2010 at 6:59 pm
PAMMELA ANDERSON YOU CUNT I HATE YOU
32 BARBIE // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:01 pm
IMA BARBI GIRL IN A BARIE WORRLRLDDD
33 KAREN // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:01 pm
i am hotta den all ov youuuhh pplz.
34 Heff // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Welcome to my Playboy chat site girls ;)
dirty talk all you want, but im kinda getting horny …
hello, life goes on but i NEED it reaaly bad :(
DIRTY TALK MORE BABY !
35 KEN // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:01 pm
I WANT A DIVORCE…
36 HEFF // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:02 pm
EVEN THGO0UH IM SO OLD IM LIEK HALF DEAD LOL
37 ANNA NICOLE SMITH // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:03 pm
OMG HEY HEFF REMEBER ME
38 Bill Gates // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:03 pm
Damn You Notifications !
STOP SPAMMING MY PAGE PLEASE !
Heff, do you like Guys too ??
39 Connie Andrews // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:04 pm
WAKE UP IN THE MORNING FEELIN LIKE P-DIDDY!
40 LOSI // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:04 pm
OMG LOL @ANNA
41 THE TWILIGHT CAST // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:05 pm
WE SUCK
42 Taylor Swify // Aug 30, 2010 at 7:42 pm
No , You Suck Harry Potter .
I Love You Taylor Lautner ;) .hehe
xoxxoxo
43 MISS lumb // Aug 30, 2010 at 8:38 pm
ching ching chong chang
44 MISS kritikross // Aug 30, 2010 at 8:39 pm
quick where are you kids i need to shout at you for no reason
45 freddy krugar // Aug 30, 2010 at 8:40 pm
if you click on my name it takes you to youtube,lol ill killa btw
p.s ill kill yah
46 Justin Bieber // Aug 30, 2010 at 8:53 pm
I need somebody to Love :(
47 Hannah Montanna // Aug 30, 2010 at 8:54 pm
You get the best of both worlds . lol ONLY I CAN :) hahaha
sucked in bitches !
48 Oompa loompa // Aug 30, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I LIKE BEING ORANGE.
49 Christopher Drew // Aug 30, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Im A Real Big Fan OF YOURS !
just shout whenever and i’ll be there ! dadadadaadadadadadadadad
50 Usher // Aug 31, 2010 at 9:39 pm
OMG baby let me love you down .
theres so many ways to love you .
hey hey HEY daddy :)
i just wana get your attention .
51 justin bieber // Aug 31, 2010 at 9:41 pm
i hate myself and want to die! i cant believ that bitch chucked a bottle at me!! im gonna go die now
52 Paris Hilton // Aug 31, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Oh My Gosh !
That’s so not hot !
Can we like go out now Heff ;)
I’m over Fabio and Peter Pan is like too youn for me :( so Hot !
53 heff // Aug 31, 2010 at 9:46 pm
no fuck off paris!
54 Shrek // Aug 31, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Oh Merry MEN !
Oh fuck off !
I can not believe i saved Fiona from that stupid castle !
Now I have LIFE ! It’s all about the kids now !
No More physical activity :(
55 fiona // Aug 31, 2010 at 9:49 pm
OH I CANT BELIEVE YOU SHREK I HATE YOU NOW I WANT A DIVORCE!!! and.. FUCK YOU!
56 Shrek // Aug 31, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Oh I’m Sorry your such a Bad Wife !
I always want a divorce !
OH and FYI I’m with someone else LORD FARQUAD !
:LOL
57 LORD FARQUAD! // Aug 31, 2010 at 9:53 pm
OH I LOVE YOU !! MY DEAR SHREK !! btw when are you planning on getting a divorce with that bitch fiona?
lololololololololololololol
58 Donkey // Aug 31, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Does that mean I’m getting a divorce ?
59 Beyonce // Aug 31, 2010 at 9:58 pm
All the single ladies ; NOW PUT YOUR HANDS UP !
60 Mr cambridge // Aug 31, 2010 at 10:00 pm
*irish accent*
yes that does mean your getting a divorce to donkey!!
and oh beyonce!! your so rightt!! ima single lady here! now im putting my hands up!! yehhhh!!!
61 John Howard // Aug 31, 2010 at 10:09 pm
No one invited you to the Mardi Gras Luke !
So go back to the Two and A Half men you Divorced Blob !
Love You Farquad ;)
62 Mr cambridge // Aug 31, 2010 at 10:10 pm
OH WELL I AM OFFENDED! and go back to not being prime minister john howard!!! ima kill yahs!!
63 DR Evil // Aug 31, 2010 at 10:12 pm
I believe that Marie Curies experiments were unsatisfied !
Well if she added more Uranium, It would destruct the world !
I reckon she shoulve went for it !
64 Marie Curie // Aug 31, 2010 at 10:14 pm
oh shutup Dr evi you dont know anything about experiments my experiments were awesomee!! ohh and destructing the world that will be on my plan book!!!
lolololololol
Leave a Comment