PHO 101 Introduction to Photonics

What can you expect in this distance learning course??

HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT TAKE? If you took this course in a classroom, it would meet for 4 hours per week and have assigned homework and a notebook or journal for hands on activities. You would spend 6-8 hours per week on the course and homework. You can expect to spend that much time on the online course as well. You'd also spend time working together and discussing the material with your classmates. We'll keep that teamwork aspect of the course through the threaded discussions.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BUY FOR THIS COURSE? You should have a scientific calculator. (You don't need a graphic calculator.) You do need a small lab kit, available at Edmund Optics. The textbook is available in hard or soft cover (as little as $25 in black and white) or digital download ($15) from www.lulu.com.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO DO IN THIS COURSE? Each unit will take you about 10 days to complete. Each unit has the following things to do:
• There is a textbook reading assignment  for each unit.
Homework problems are assigned for each. (These are not collected, but you will be expected to check the solutions yourself. The solutions are on the course site.) If you have questions, ask them in the threaded discussions, come to the online office hour, or send me an email.
• Each unit has a self test . (These are not graded. They are for you to check your understanding.)
• All units have graded Quizzes.
• There is a hands-on activity or web-based experiment for most units. You will do the experiment at home (or in the Three Rivers lab, if you wish and are nearby) and post the results in the threaded discussion. You will discuss any problems/insights/observations with the group through the threaded discussions.

WHAT IS A "HOME LAB?" In order to really appreciate optics, you need to see the phenomena! In the spirit of distance learning, this course will not require you to come to Three Rivers to complete laboratory assignments. Instead, you will perform "home lab" experiments, using an inexpensive optics kit and some other items, many of which you may already have. If you are taking the course with someone you know, you can do the labs together. You can learn more when you have someone to discuss the material with.

TUTORIALS AND TUTORING Only basic algebra knowledge (e.g., fractions, solving simplw equations) is assumed. When we have a new (or need to be reviewed) topic, tutorials will be available in a "TUTORIAL" folder. If you live near the College, you may also stop by the tutoring center for extra help. (Online math help is also available through the tutoring center.) I will hold regular office hours in the online Chat Room. You can also post questions in the Threaded Discussions- this is particularly helpful because other students will probably have the same question.

HOW WILL MY GRADE BE DETERMINED? Here is what will be evaluated to determine your grade
• Quizzes -One grade will be dropped
• Two status reports (These are required, but not graded.)
• Hands-on activiities journal (threaded discussions)

WHAT CAN I DO TO SUCCEED IN THIS COURSE?
• One week before the class begins, log in to the course web site to ensure that you will have no technical problems. At the same time, post a note to the threaded discussion to introduce yourself. Look around the course to see how things are arranged. Read the  hints for chat and threaded discussions.
• Pay attention to the Course Calendar- print it out and keep it handy. You can work at your convenience, but there are due dates!
• Email is the primary means of contacting students in an online course. Check your email every day!
• Log in to the course regularly- at least 2-3 times per week- to check discussions and find out what's new.
• Use the online chat to talk to instructors and other students. I'll be in the "office" one hour per week (time and day to be announced.)

HOW A UNIT MIGHT GO...
Of course, you can work when it's convenient for you. But it's best if you spread the work over several days so you don't get behind! For example,

Day 1:  Log into the course site and check the assignments for the unit
Days 2-5: During this time, do the reading and try out the homework problems. If you get stuck, post a message to your classmates in the threaded discussion or email me or come to office hours. Try the self test.
Days 6-8: By now you should have a pretty good idea of what the unit is about. Time to try the hands-on activity! If you get stuck, post a message to the threaded discussion and see if your classmates can help you out.
Days 8-9: Wrap up/review/post your results or answer any questions that were posed in the discussions.
Day 10: Take the final quiz.