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Hans Bethe - Getting my doctorate and honours (35/158)

2,874 views · Published 27 June 2017 · 1:22 · Indexed 4 November 2026

Channel: Web of Stories - Life Stories of Remarkable People · 2017 · Science & Technology

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German-born theoretical physicist Hans Bethe (1906-2005) was one of the first scientists to join the Manhattan Project, later strongly advocating nuclear disarmament. In 1967, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his theory of stellar nucleosynthesis. [Listener: Sam Schweber; date recorded: 1996]

TRANSCRIPT: [SS] In 1928 you get your doctorate, and the honors.

Yes, in spring of 1930.

[SS] And in 1928 the doctorate is with what honors?

Summa cum laude.

[SS] With Wien being one of the examiners and he's very happy about your experimental knowledge.

Experimental knowledge, not about my experimental performance. But I knew about cosmic rays and he liked that.

[SS] And, for the Habilitationschrift, who decides that it's okay?

At that time you write your paper, the decision is actually just of your... by your professor, Sommerfeld, but formally you give a lecture to a whole group of faculty members and they... formally they decide that you're satisfactory.

[SS] And then you're officially made a Privatdozent, which gives you the right to teach at any German university.

Correct.

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