Optics for scientists and engineers

Faculty members from three departments at North Dakota State University (Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Chemistry) have cooperated to develop a joint program in optical science and engineering. An option in Optical Engineering has been established within the major in electrical engineering and an option in Optical Science and Engineering has been established within the major in physics. A core course, "Optics for Scientists and Engineers", was introduced in Fall Semester, 2001 and is being offered again in 2002. This new course provides students with the fundamentals necessary to enable them to successfully apply optics in their respective majors. Students learn applied optics through a sequence of multidisciplinary laboratory experiences. This course was adapted from a similar course in the Optical Science and Engineering Program, New Jersey Institute of Technology. During Fall Semester 2001, seventeen students successfully completed the course. Interest in the course offering in the fall of 2002 is high. In general the course has awakened an interest in optics among engineering and science majors.