Instructor: Catherine Jahncke , Bewkes 218, Office Hours: M, W 9-12. I am around almost all of the time and am happy to meet with you.

Course overview: Basic principles of optics will be studied with particular attention given to how these principles are applied to the study of chemistry, physics, biology, and geology. Topics such as microscopy, the interaction of light with crystals, spectroscopy, and telescopes will be explored. Birefringence, polarization, diffraction, scattering, refraction, and reflection are among the principles that will be discussed

Course requirements: The course requirements will consist of a midterm exam, a final exam, homework assignments, quizzes, a paper, and a presentation.

Presentation: Each student will be required give a presentation to the class on a special topic in optics. A list of special topics will be provided along with more detailed instructions.

Paper: Your paper will be on the same topic as your presentation. A separate handout will provide more details.

Quizzes: A quiz will be given weekly through the blackboard website. The quiz will cover the previous week’s material and must be completed before midnight each Monday. You may use your text and your class notes for the quiz. You may not talk to one another about the quiz.

Exams: There will a midterm exam and a final exam. Each exam will cover the material completed up to the exam. The final will be cumulative.