615.671.81 - Principles Of Optics

Expanded Course Description

WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW

We, Dr. Ohl and Dr. Edwards, have taught this class several times and have noticed a few things that we want to tell the students up-front:

1. This is a graduate class equivalent in content, effort, and value to that of a face-to-face (in-class) version of an advanced class available at any top university. You will be learning the material in a distance learning environment. It will be helpful if you are comfortable in communicating via the internet, email, downloading and posting of files, plus creating MS Word and PDF technical documents containing equations and figures. Some students find it helpful to have some capability to scan and paste printed pages into digital documents.
2. Students have a degree of convenience and flexibility afforded by the online environment and asynchronous nature where they can choose the time and schedule when to work on the class material. Although you have this flexibility, it is important that it be matched with a high level of commitment, planning and discipline to study the course modules regularly, and to be active in the discussions making meaningful contributions, completing and submitting weekly required homework assignments on time. All of these contribute to the leaning process, take time, and are a significant input to your final grade. Therefore, this course is not appropriate for students with limited time. 
3. This class is fast paced. You are going to not only learn about Radiometry and the fundamental principles of optics, metrics for evaluating optical systems and actually use them. Understanding derived from analysis will be reinforced and facilitated by software tools.
4. This class is worth the effort. Although this class may take considerable effort, we have found that all students who, having paid the price to succeed, indicate that they learned an incredible amount and believe it was well worth the investment of their time.

Course Structure

Details on the course structure can be found in the Course Outline, the Student Requirements Section of this Syllabus, and in the Calendar. Each course module runs for a period of seven (7) days, i.e., one week.

Due dates for readings and other assignments are referred to by the day of the module week in which they are due. For example, if a reading assignment is to be completed by Day 3 and the module started on Monday, then the reading assignment should be completed by Wednesday or the 3rd day of the module. Please refer to the Calendar for the specific start and end dates for each module in this course, as well as the due dates for the assignments (usually be the end of the day on Wednesdays).

The Final and Midterm exam will be due as detailed in e-mail communication from the instructor.

Course Topics

This course teaches the student the fundamental principles of geometrical optics, radiometry, vision, and imaging and spectroscopic instruments. It begins with a review of basic, Gaussian optics to prepare the student for advanced concepts. From Gaussian optics, the course leads the students through the principles of paraxial ray-trace analysis to develop a detailed understanding of the properties of an optical system. The causes and techniques for the correction of aberrations are studied. The course covers the design principles of optical Instruments, telescopes, microscopes, etc. The techniques of light measurement are covered in radiometry and photometry.

Course Goals

Students will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of radiometry and optical design and be able to analyze and design basic optical. Students will also be able to interpret results of different optical systems and evaluate system performance based on their acquired knowledge.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Draw a connection between Maxwell’s Equations and geometrical optics and radiometry.
• Illustrate how simple systems of optical elements form images using ray sketching based on the laws of geometrical optics.
• Use paraxial expressions derived from the laws of geometrical optics to model image formation for single optical surfaces and elements and simple optical systems. Apply the thin lens and paraxial mirror equation to find image location. Apply the paraxial y-u and y-nu ray trace formalism to model image location and derive the paraxial properties of a simple optical system.
• List the paraxial properties of an optical system and find the location of key conjugates (e.g., pupil, focus).
• Apply the concepts from the above to simplify the modeling of the performance of more complex optical systems regarding paraxial performance, as a basis for understanding departure from paraxial behavior (“aberration”), and describe approaches to and factors to consider in optical design.
• Explain the factors that impact the performance of an imaging system and describe common performance metrics.
• Explain how the human eye works as a geometrical optical system.
• Demonstrate understanding of the units associated with radiometry.
• Model the radiometric performance of a simple optical system using geometry.

Textbooks

Elements of Modern Optical Design -- Donald O'Shea, ISBN-13: 978-0471077961.

Textbook information for this course is available online through the appropriate bookstore website: For online courses, search the MBS website at http://ep.jhu.edu/bookstore.

Required Software

It is suggested that you have MATLAB (Student Version is available through JHU) or a similar tool and required that you have access to Microsoft Excel or another, similar spreadsheet tool.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that the class will take approximately 8-12 hours per week: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 5–8 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations and homework assignments (approximately 2-4 hours per week).

This course requires:

Preparation and Participation (Class Discussions) (10% of Final Grade Calculation)

Each student is responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion. The majority of readings are from the course text.

The discussions are intended to enrich the class experience and in some sense to duplicate the free form learning that takes place in the classroom as instructor-student and student-student interaction occur.

Discussion questions posed by the instructor can be accessed through their modules in course content or their modules' forum in the Discussions area. Students are to post their response to the discussion questions for the module by day of that module week. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for class discussions. Additionally, students can post questions to the discussions.

Part two of your grade for class discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least two classmates. Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; we want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive. Please post your responses to your fellow students prior to the end of the module week.

Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions.

Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Timeliness (50%)
2. Critical Thinking (50%)

Preparation and participation is graded as follows:

100–90 = A—Timeliness [regularly participates; all required postings; early in discussion; throughout the discussion]; Critical Thinking [rich in content; full of thoughts, insight, and analysis].

89–80 = B—Timeliness [frequently participates; all required postings; some not in time for others to read and respond]; Critical Thinking [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].

79–70 = C—Timeliness [infrequently participates; all required postings; most at the last minute without allowing for response time]; Critical Thinking [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace].

<70 = F—Timeliness [rarely participates; some, or all required postings missing]; Critical Thinking [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight is displayed].

Regular Homework (30% of Final Grade Calculation)

Homework is assigned for modules 1 through 6 and modules 8 through 11. Homework is expected to be submitted by the last day of each module.

You are to submit your homework as a single PDF file. Do not submit MATLAB m-files unless specifically asked to do so as follow-up to the homework. If such files are used to solve homework problems then the MATLAB code should be included in the PDF documentation. Homework is expected to be documented with sufficient clarity and completeness that a reader could reproduce the solution. Most students find it convenient to first prepare their homework using a word processor similar to Microsoft Word. This includes cutting and pasting results from MATLAB. Also, it is important to be able insert and edit equations in the word processor document. Finally, after the student is happy with their documentation they can then convert it to an PDF file and submit it in Canvas.

Please use the following naming convention when submitting your homework assignments in PDF format: If your last name is "Jones" and you are submitting homework assignment 1, please name your submitted PDF file: JONES_HW1.pdf. When student Jones submits her midterm it will be named JONES_MIDTERM.pdf. Please let us know if you have questions about this. A modest amount of points will be subtracted from assignments that don't follow this convention.

Reading assignments as well as readings from the texts and other outside sources will be important sources of material for your 10 assignments.

The purpose of the homework is to give the students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the course concepts.

All assignments are due on the last night of the module before 11:59PM.  This give the student an entire week to view the lecture material, read the text and other materials and complete the module's assignment.

After the last day of the module at 11:59PM, late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade (10 points) for each week late or part thereof (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors).

Writing assignments are evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Question is repeated in full if necessary (5%)
2. Each part of question is answered correctly (95%)

Assignments are graded as follows:

100–90 = A—Question is repeated in full; All parts of question are addressed correctly.

89–80 = B—Question is repeated in full; Most parts of question are addressed correctly.

79–70=C—Question is repeated in full; Some parts of question are addressed correctly.

<70=F—Few parts of question are addressed correctly.

Midterm & Final Examination (30% each of Final Grade Calculation)

The Midterm Exam will be taken in the middle of the semester as part of Module 7 and the Final Exam will be taken at the end of the semester as part of Module 12. The exams will be due as specified in e-mail communication by the instructor. The exams will be time-limited but available on Canvas for you to download over a number of days. You will have six (6) hours to download, complete and upload your exam solutions to Canvas. The exam submissions will consist of a single PDF file. Students may use the course text to complete the exams.

The student may not collaborate with any other individuals on the exam. The student is responsible for finding a six (6) hour period during the exam week within which to finish the exam. Going over the six-hour exam period will result in a minimum reduction of a full letter grade (example: A will be a B) and may result in failing the exam or course.

The exams are evaluated by the following grading elements:

1. Question is repeated in full (5%)
2. Each part of question is answered correctly (95%)

Exam preparation and grading

Discussions will be used to prepare for the examination during the midterm and final exam module. Students will post practice question/problems and monitor the response of their fellow students providing counseling and guidance as necessary.

The midterm and final exam will receive a numerical score which equates to a letter grade as follows:

100–90 = A—Question is repeated in full; All parts of question are addressed correctly.

89–80 = B—Question is repeated in full; Most parts of question are addressed correctly.

79–70 = C—Question is repeated in full; Some parts of question are addressed correctly.

<70=F—Most of the question is incorrect.

Grading Policy

Timely feedback on students' performance is an established learning tool, so we will endeavor to grade and return to you, as quickly as possible, all material that you submit.

A grade of "A" indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course-that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of "B" indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

A course numerical grade is determined using the numerical grades for the homework, midterm exam, final exam, and discussion participation according weighting shown. The letter grade is related to the course numerical grade as follows:

100–90 = A

89–80 = B

79–70 = C

Course Policies

For an assignment extension, students must contact the instructors prior to the deadline.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.