OPTI 200 Class Policies

Course Policies

Instructor:

Mike Nofziger (a.k.a. “Dr. Mike”)
Meinel 412A
520-626-8363
nofziger@optics.arizona.edu

Graduate Teaching Assistant:

  • Miaomiao Xu (grader for the 2pm class)
  • Jeff Davis (grader for the 3pm class)

Office Hours:

  • Nofziger – Tue. and Wed. (1pm – 2pm); (other times by appointment–please email me first).
  • Graduate Teaching Assistants
    • Miaomiao Xu : (Office Hour: Thursdays 3:30 – 4:30pm)
    • Jeff Davis : (Office Hour: Wednesdays 4:00 – 5:00 pm)

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, you will:

  • have a good understanding of what light is.
  • learn about and do lab experiments with various light sources. {LAB}
  • understand how lasers work.
  • understand how optical images (real and virtual) are formed. {LAB}
  • understand the reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light. {LAB}
  • be able to make calculations that describe the images formed by lenses and mirrors.
  • be able to trace rays of light that describe the images formed by lenses and mirrors.
  • understand the optics of the human eye. {LAB}
  • understand why we need to wear eyeglasses or contacts to correct vision.
  • have an understanding of what the LASIK procedure is and does.
  • understand how various optical instruments work (telescopes, binoculars, microscopes, DVD players).
  • understand the optics and processes of photography.
  • be able to explain how a digital camera works.
  • have a fundamental understanding of color (additive and subtractive).
  • be able to explain how rainbows are formed.
  • have been introduced to the world of infrared optics {LAB}
  • Be able to apply the basic technology of optics in your own careers!

Grading Policy

  • Homework: 25%
  • Lab: Notebook and Activities: 10%
  • Research Paper: 25%
    • (Outline): 4%
    • (Bibliography + Opening Paragraph): 4%
    • (Abstract): 2%
    • (Paper): 15%
  • Journal Writing: 10%
  • Midterm Exam (in-class): 10%
  • Final Exam (in-class): 10%
  • In-class Quizzes 10%

Final grades will be calculated on a ‘curve’ for the entire class.

Late Policy:

Homework will be accepted late (up to a week after it was due), but will be graded at 50% off.

Classroom Etiquette:

  • Turn off all cell phones and pagers.
  • No talking during class, unless for class participation!
  • No food in the classroom, please.

Attendance Policy:

It is important to attend all classes, as what is discussed in class is pertinent to adequate performance on assignments and exams. If you must be absent, it is your responsibility to obtain and review the information you missed. Unannounced quizzes will be given to encourage attendance, and to help you gauge your progress in learning the material.

If you miss the midterm or final exams, they may not be made up unless you have a documented medical or family emergency. Quizzes may not be made up for any reason.

“All holidays or special events observed by organized religions will be honored for those students who show affiliation with that particular religion. Absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students (or Dean’s designee) will be honored.”

Academic Integrity:

According to the Arizona Code of Academic Integrity:
“Integrity is expected of every student in all academic work. The guiding principle of academic integrity is that a studentā€™s submitted work must be the studentā€™s own.ā€

Unless otherwise noted by the instructor, work for all assignments in this course must be conducted independently by each student. CO-AUTHORED WORK OF ANY KIND IS UNACCEPTABLE. Misappropriation of exams before or after they are given will be considered academics misconduct.

Misconduct of any kind will be prosecuted and may result in any or all of the following:

  • Reduction of grade
  • Failing grade
  • Referral to the Dean of Students for consideration of additional penalty, i.e. notation on a studentā€™s transcript re. academic integrity violation, etc.

Students with a Learning Disability:

If a student is registered with the Disability Resource Center:
The University has developed a simple, Web-based process for you to inform your instructors of your affiliation with the DRC and may use accommodations. The process is available through your DRC Student Link.

Honors Credit:

Required Honors Assignments:

For OPTI 200, the following activities will be required of all Honors students, assigned as part of their individualized Honors Contract:

  • Give a 15minute presentation (ā€œmini-lectureā€) to the entire OPTI 200 class on your own selected topic of interest in optics. This can include:
    • any topic in optics that interests you, of your choice. Research it to include 10 references, 5 from professionally-published papers. Use Power Point slides, with graphics and scientific data, to teach us about this topic.

ā€¦.. or ā€¦..

  • If you are working in a campus lab or in a local company (in a science or engineering field), present your work in a 15-minuteĀ mini-lecture to the OPTI 200 class. Relate it to some aspect of optics. Use Power Point slides, with graphics and scientific data,Ā to teach us the basics of your work and how it relates to light and optics.
  • All of the required lab work that everyone does.
  • All of the homework that everyone does.
  • The 10-page research paper (rough draft and final copy) that everyone does.
  • The midterm and final exam.

Optional Honors Assignments (pick one):

For OPTI 200, the following activities will be made available to Honors students. They would pick one, to be assigned as part of their individualized Honors Contract:

  • Attend 6 of our Friday Community Speakers Lectures (optics undergraduate and graduate students present their research every Friday at noon). Write a 1-page summary of each lecture, including the relevance and real-world application of the optics involved.
  • Meet with 3 members of our faculty to learn about their research. Write a 2-page summary of each meeting, including the relevance and real-world application of the optics involved.
  • Visit 3 of our research labs to interact with our students doing research. Interview each student about the work they are doing. Read a published paper from each lab, that pertains to the research they are doing. Write a 2-page summary of each meeting, including connections to the published paper. Discuss the relevance and real-world application of the optics involved.

 

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