FRS 001B - Sec. 001 - (2
units) - CRN 75074 - T 2:10-3:00 pm - 25 Wellman
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. 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. There will be three writing assignments and one 15-minute oral
presentation required. For each demonstration and one of the presentations,
a one-page paper will be written about the material. The first one pager will
be graded twice, both on content AND grammar, allowing for the students to have
a ‘rewrite’ opportunity. There will not be time for a rewrite of
the second one pager. The more major writing assignment will be on a topic chosen
by the student and approved by the instructor. Again, this will be graded twice,
allowing a week for a rewrite. 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. 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%).
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 the Program
Leader for Biophotonic Simulations for the National Science Foundation Center
for Biophotonics Science and Technology.
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 reference therein.