FRS 001 — Sec. 012 — (1 unit) — CRN 53580 — R 3:10 – 4:00 pm — 109 Wellman
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 eight 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 two short reports on the demonstration and one of the presentations. 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%).

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 the Program Leader for Biophotonic Simulations for the National Science Foundation Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology.