FRS 001 — Sec. 007 — (1 unit) — CRN 25994 — T 2:10-3:00pm — 263 Olson
Introduction to Biophotonics

Instructor: Ann Orel, Department of Applied Science, College of Engineering

Description: Biophotonics is the science of generating and harnessing light (photons) to image, detect and manipulate biological materials. This course will introduce students to the exciting research in this area and supply some basic understanding of the underlying science. The course will also serve to introduce students to the National Science Foundation Center for Biophotonics Science Technology and the opportunities for undergraduate interactions with the educators and researchers at the center.

Format: The seminar will meet one hour each week for ten weeks. The time will be divided between lecture presentations, one lab demonstration, discussion and student presentations. Reading material will be provided. There is no text for the course. Students will give a presentation and write a short paper on a topic in the area of biophotonics, and four-five short reports on the presentations. There will be 4-5 writing assignments and one 15-minute oral presentation required. For each presentation, a one-page paper will be written about the material. Each paper will be graded twice for content AND grammar, allowing for the students to have a 'rewrite' opportunity. The other major writing assignment will be on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the instructor. This paper is expected to be three pages (not including illustrations!!) and the student will be expected to give a 15-minute presentation in the class. It is expected that the students will work in groups for the general topic presentation and paper. Grading: The course grade will be based on the quality of their written (50%) and oral (40%) presentations, and the quality and frequency of their participation in class discussions (10%).

Demonstration: Yin Yeh (professor, UC Davis) will demonstrate the optical tweezers experiment in his lab. Reading will be mostly taken from web pages and references there. We will start with
http://www.stanford.edu/group/blocklab/Optical%20Tweezers%20Introduction.htm and references therein.

About the Instructor: Professor Ann E. Orel is a member of the faculty in the Department of Applied Science. Her research interests are in the area of theoretical atomic and molecular physics. She is involved in Biophotonic Simulations for the National Science Foundation Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology.