DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

PHYSICS 3450

OPTICS

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: (3 hours) Prerequisite: PHYS 2212. A study of the principles of geometric optics (ray tracing, the properties of lenses and reflectors) and physical optics (coherence, interference, diffraction, polarization, and the wave equation).

OBJECTIVES: This course covers the majors themes of optics as outlined below.  The students will be expected to be able to understand the material and apply it to problems and physical situations similar to those described in the text and in class.  The major areas to be covered are:
 

1. Waves and light and the propagation of light (Chapters 2-4)
2. Geometrical optics, including optical systems and applications (Chapters 5-6)
3. Physical optics, including superposition, polarization, interference and diffraction (Chapters 7-10,13)
 
GENERAL LECTURE INFORMATION FOR SPRING SEMESTER 2005

INSTRUCTOR:
 
 
Dr. Joseph H. Jones
Office: 101 Rogers Hall
               234 H&NS
Office hours: 1000-1100 MWF-H&NS 234, 0900-1100 TR-Rogers 101, 1400-1500 F-H&NS 234, open door policy - other hours anytime if available, best by appointment, hours in bold = most available for this class
Office phone: 864-1510 
Planetarium phone (w/ voice mail):  864-1471           Observatory phone (w/ voice mail): 864-1470
E-mail: jjones@northgeorgia.edu
Web: faculty.northgeorgia.edu/jjones

CLASS SECTIONS:

SECTION A 1100-1215 MWF, 109 Rogers Hall

EXAMS: Three 50 minute class exams and one 120 minute final.  The exams will be given on or about the dates listed below.  Exact exam dates, will be set in class.  The exams will be problem oriented at about the same difficulty level as the homework.  Make-up tests for other than valid excuses will not be given.  If it is necessary for any excusable reason to miss an exam, the student should personally contact the instructor before the exam time.
 
EXAM
 CHAPTERS DATE(Approx.)
1
 2, 3, 4, 5.4 Thursday, February 10
2
 5.5, 6, 7.2 Thursday, March 3
3
 7.2, 8, 9.3 Tuesday, April 5
final
 comp.+ 9.4, 10, 13 Monday, May 2 (8 am)

HOMEWORK: Homework problems will be assigned for each chapter by your instructor.  On exam days, attempted homework problems for the chapters assigned will be turned in to the instructor.  Students are strongly encouraged to work together and to see the instructor often.  (See evaluation.)

EVALUATION: There will be 3 class exams, a comprehensive final exam and homework.  The homework will be assigned problems from the textbook and some hands-on exercises with optical equipment.  The relative weights of these is given below:

  Class exams: 50%
  Final exam:   20%
  Homework:  30%
Note that the homework is a significant fraction of the total grade.  Since the exams will have similar problems, the importance of doing the homework is even greater than the fraction of the grade assigned to it.  Students are encouraged to work cooperatively on the homework, but simply copying another person's work is unethical and should not be done (or allowed to be done by the person from whom the work is copied).  The overall course grades will be based on a curve determined by the instructor. Regular updates of the grades corresponding to numerical scores will be given. At any time it is appropriate for a student to ask the instructor about his/her grade.

TEXTBOOK: Optics, by Eugene Hecht (4th ed.)

ATTENDANCE: Regular class attendance is expected and strongly encouraged.  Extra points may be given on the homework grade for attendance during in-class problem sessions.  A grade of WF may be given for six or more absences at the discretion of the instructor.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITES:  North Georgia College & State University is committed to equal access to its programs, services, and activities for individuals with disabilities. If you believe that you have a disability requiring an
accommodation, reasonable prior notice must be given to the instructor and the Office of Student Disability Resources. Please contact the Coordinator Office of Student Disability Resources, at Barnes Hall, Room 221 or call 867-2782.

THE HONOR CODE: NGCSU's integrity code- "On my honor, I will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth, or tolerate those who do" -reflects the university's commitment to academic integrity.  The "Academic Integrity Policy" (2004-2006 Undergraduate Bulletin, pp. 78-81) is incorporated herein by reference.