Syllabus for PHYS 3490: Waves and Optics            Spring 2005

           Instructor:                         Dr. David Craig [ Assistant Professor ] @ West Texas A&M University
           Local Instructor Contact at A&M-CC:     Dr. M.K. Balasubramanya
 
           Instructor's Email: dcraig@mail.wtamu.edu
           Office Address: 114B ANS
           Office Phone: 651-5262
 
           Office Hours: T-Th 9-11:50 am
                               Fri 10-11:50 am
                               Fri 1-3 pm
 
          WEB ACCESS: Send your browser to : http://wtclass.wtamu.edu
          search for courses by instructor name: craig
          or look in the P's for PHY4330 90 and click on that link, a login dialog will come up.

          Use these values:

          username: phy433090_05sp
          password: light
 
          Course Goals:

          To understand the basic principles of optics, including the electromagnetic nature of radiation, wave
          and particle natures of light, interaction of radiation with matter, reflection, refraction, lenses and
          optical instruments, diffraction and interference.

          Course Requirements:

          Completion of the introductory calculus-based physics course which includes an introduction to
          electromagnetism and vibrations and waves. (at WTAMU PHY 2426 and 2427)
 

          Textbook is Optics by Eugene Hecht, 4 ed. ISBN 0-8053-8566-5 If it is not available in your
          bookstore, see www.aw.com/physics or your favorite online bookseller.
 
 

          Learning Objectives:

          Understand and be able to treat mathematically:

               Wave motion in one, two and three dimensions.
               Basic electromagnetic properties of light and its propagation.
               Basic geometric optics including thin lenses, ray tracing and matrix methods.
               Polarization.
               Interference, diffraction and fourier optics
 
 
 

          Course Description:
 

          This course will be taught over the TTVN network originating from WTAMU. There will be brief lectures
          over the system and discussion of problems over the system and the web. The primary emphasis will
          be in problem solving to understand the material. Reading the textbook with a pencil and paper at
          hand, and working through the examples, is IMPERATIVE. This is the way you will learn in your
          professional career, start now.

          The primary role of the instructor is to assist you in learning. Material at this level demands your active
          engagement, especially in a distance-learning environment.
 

          We will attempt to cover about a chapter a week if possible, starting with Chapter 2: Wave Motion
 
 

          Methods of Evaluation Employed:

          There will be a number of homework assignments, which will be posted in the class area and
          announced in class.Ý There will 2-3 tests and a final exam.

          Grade breakdown:
          Homework:Ý 50%
          Tests:ÝÝ 30%
          Final Exam: 20%

          Disability Statement:

          West Texas A & M University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons
          with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations
          and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal
          educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with the Disability Support Services
          and to contact the faculty member in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations.

          Copyright:

          Copyright 2005. David Craig. As to this syllabus and all instructional material; materials may not be
          reproduced without the written consent of David Craig . Students are prohibited from selling (or being
          paid for taking) notes during this course to or by any person or commercial firm without the express
          written permission of David Craig.

          Scholastic Dishonesty:

          It is the responsibility of students and instructors to help maintain scholastic integrity at the University
          by refusing to participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty. Commission of any of the following acts
          shall constitute scholastic dishonesty. This listing is not exclusive of any other acts that may
          reasonably be said to constitute scholastic dishonesty: acquiring or providing information for any
          assigned work or examination from any unauthorized source; informing any person or persons of the
          contents of any examination prior to the time the examination is given in subsequentsections of the
          course or as a makeup; plagiarism; submission of a paper or project that is substantially the same for
          two courses unless expressly authorized by the instructor to do so. (2000-2001, CODE OF STUDENT
          LIFE, Rules and Procedures for Students, West Texas A&M University).

          A complete statement regarding scholastic dishonesty can be found in the Student Code of Life at
          http://www.wtamu.edu/administrative/ss/code/code/css/code_17.html

          Evacuation Statement:

          When you receive notice to evacuate the building, please evacuate promptly but in an orderly manner.
          Evacuation routs are posted in various locations indicating all exits, outside assembly area, location of
          fire extinguisher, fire alarm pull stations, and emergency telephone numbers (651-5000 or 911). In
          the event an evacuation is necessary; evacuate immediately; do not use elevators; take all personal
          belongings with you; report to outside assembly area and wait for further information; students
          needing assistance in the evacuation process should bring this to the attention of the instructor at the
          beginning of the semester.

          Chemical and Equipment Safety Statement:

          Safety is everyone's responsibility. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are provided for all chemicals
          used in this class. MSDSs provide information about physical properties, health risks, fire explosion
          data, and other important information associated with these chemicals. Before handling or using a
          chemical, you should refer to the MSDS for that chemical. It is your responsibility to inform the
          instructor in writing of any health conditions that may prevent you from safely using a chemical
          (pregnancy, auto immune deficiency, etc.). It is also the responsibility of the student to report any spill
          or problems found while storing or using a chemical. If you are unsure about a chemical, always ask. If
          you see any unsafe condition, notify your instructor immediately. If you are unsure about the proper
          and safe operation of any piece of equipment, ask your instructor for proper instruction. All injuries,
          spill of materials and unsafe conditions must be reported to the instructor immediately.