Welcome to Optics and Microsocopy

Class hours: TuTh 01:30PM-03:05PM J Baskin Engr 372

In this course we will learn about geometrical optics, technical photography, the diffraction limit of resolution, microscopy and super-resolution microscopy, image formation in optics and photography, the Fourier transform, and the basics of digital image processing.

The course grade will be based on a combination of homework assignments, an individual study project / lab that is presented orally for the class, and a final exam.

There is no required textbook but standard works are:
Hecht Optics, Born and Wolf Principles of Optics and Goodman Fourier Optics
(Available in Prof. Sara's office if you want to take a peak in them)
Several PDF documents with great resources can also be found under Files
Another great resource is: http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/
Check it out!
Course was given once before: old course website is at https://ee293-winter18-02.courses.soe.ucsc.edu/

The SaraLab https://saralab.soe.ucsc.edu/ works in optical systems design using diffractive Fourier optics for fast 3D imaging and super-resolution microscopy.

Grade requirements:

A+ >= 90% of points
A >= 85% of points
A- >= 80% of points
B+ >= 75% of points
B >= 70% of points
B- >= 65% of points
C+ >= 60% of points
C >= 55% of points
C - >= 50% of points etc...

Homework will be 40% of grade
Project Presentation will be 20% of grade (passing this presentation is required to pass the class) 
Final Exam will be 40% of grade (passing the final exam is required to pass the class)  and questions will be of similar style to the homework questions and cover all the material from the course.

For students who have selected grade pass/no pass and for passing on individual tasks: Passing grade will be B and higher (not B-)

Individual (or team-of-two) deep study project

10 minute oral presentations on your study are to be presented to the class. Your special topic will be as agreed with instructor. Read up on the topic theory and try it out in practice on an image. Present the method, along with your practical example, to illustrate how to handle the image processing problem at hand to the class. Be prepared to answer questions. (Note: If you have chosen to work in a team of two, you will have a 20 minute slot to fill where each of you speaks for 10 minutes.)

Please present in detail the concept of the topic you are covering. Show in detail the practical procedure of employing the technique. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of your method versus other methods to do similar things. Show examples. Ask yourself: After your presentation, will everyone in the audience understand the concept of the method you are describing? Will they be able to implement the method themselves?

Presentations will be graded on:
Clarity and organization of your presentation of the topic
Completeness and depth in covering the topic with theory and examples
Knowledge of topic and ability to answer questions

To the audience: Please take notes during the oral presentations. Your 2-3 sentence summary of each and every one of the presentations is due to be handed in to the instructor after the presentations are done on each day of presentation. This summary is part of your grade for the presentations. If you cannot attend one of these sessions, please email the instructor in advance, so that we can find a way for you to make up on this with an extra assignment!

Students with disabilities:

UC Santa Cruz is committed to creating an academic environment that supports its diverse student body. If you are a student with a disability who requires accommodations to achieve equal access in this course, please submit your Accommodation Authorization Letter from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to me privately during my office hours or by appointment, preferably within the first two weeks of the quarter. At this time, I would also like us to discuss ways we can ensure your full participation in the course. I encourage all students who may benefit from learning more about DRC services to contact DRC by phone at 831-459-2089, or by email at drc@ucsc.edu.

UCSC student Resources:

Do you need to talk to someone? These resources are available to you at UCSC:
CARE - dating/domestic violence and sexual assault
CAPS - counseling & psychological Services