- Course Code
- PX 2013
- Credit Points
- 15
- Course Coordinator
- Dr J S Reid
Pre-requisites
PX 1013 or TS 1001 or equivalent.
Overview
This course explores how light is useful, subtle and important in virtually every science. It looks at the involvement of light in many natural phenomena, at its central role in a wide variety of measurement techniques and devices, and at its role as one of the fundamental constituents of the universe. These aspects are covered in relation to the propagation of light, its reflection and refraction; how colouring arises and how spectral analysis provides a powerful analytic tool; how the polarisation of light is exploited in different ways by chemists, biologists, geologists and other scientists; how diffraction and interference are widely relevant phenomena. Finally, the course looks at the world of photonics and the workings of both modern quantum detectors and the biological detection of light.
Structure
12 week course - 2 one-hour lectures and 1 one-hour session (e.g. computer class or tutorial) per week.
Assessment
1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written paper (75%) and in-course assessment (25%). A pass in this course requires a score of CAS 9 or higher in the in-course assessment. Resit: Same.