PHYS221 OPTICS AND WAVES

Course Code:2300221
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week):4 (4.00 - 0.00)
ECTS Credit:6.0
Department:Physics
Language of Instruction:English
Level of Study:Undergraduate
Course Coordinator:Assist.Prof.Dr IHOR PAVLOV
Offered Semester:Fall Semesters.

Course Objectives

The Optics and Waves course comprises two parts: Geometrical optics, physical optics.

This course is the first course having direct relations to Modern Physics, Quantum Physics and Quantum Mechanics.

Emphasizing both theoretical and practical aspects, this course covers a large amount of material in one semester.

The knowledge you will gain in this course will form a basis upon which you will build up new blocks in the future.


Course Content

Introduction; geometrical optics; matrix methods in paraxial optics; aberrations; optical instrumentation and the optics of the eye. superposition of waves; interference of light; coherence; polarization; Fraunhofer diffraction.


Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the semester student, who passed the course satisfactorily will be able to:

  • Understand light and why it is a wave
  • understand geometrical optics with the goal of understanding what an image is and where it is located with respect to different optical systems
  • use matrix methods in the analysis of the optical systems using paraxial rays
  • understand aberrations and qualitatively understand how and why images become distorted
  • understand basic optical instruments used in the formation of images
  • understand basic optical instruments used in spectroscopy
  • understand what are travelling and standing waves
  • understand coherence and basic principles of superposition
  • Explain and formulate the interference, diffraction and polarization effects.

Program Outcomes Matrix

Level of Contribution
#Program Outcomes0123
1Can understand, model and analyze the fundamental physical processes of nature.✔
2Can suggest mathematical models to problems they face and solve them by various (approximate/analytical/numerical) approaches.✔
3Can use basic measurement devices; can choose and apply the best measurement technique.✔
4Can adequately record their observations, e.g., in a lab book.✔
5Can design and carry out experiments.✔
6Can access scientific information sources.✔
7Can critically analyze and contribute to scientific information.✔
8Can present scientific information clearly.✔
9Can analyze systems that contain probabilistic parts; can do error analysis.✔
10Has the basic programming skills; can solve a simple physical problem or can simulate one with an appropriate language they choose.✔
11Can actively and skillfully conceptualize, apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information.✔
12Can produce new ideas and products by using their background in physics.✔
13Can systematically design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to respond to an existing problem.✔
14Is effective in oral and written communication skills by using both Turkish and English languages.✔
15Can do leadership and take initiative.✔
16Tries to find physics based solutions to the problems of the world that we live in.✔
17Obeys the ethical rules in the workplace and the society and ascertains that they are obeyed by others.✔
18Can use the digital communication and computation tools in the most efficient and effective way.✔
19Can effectively use the knowledge and skills they gained in physics, in observing, analyzing, modeling and solving other societal problems.✔

0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution