OP-TEC Hybrid, Online Professional Development Course:
Fundamentals of Light and Lasers

Online Course Description

OP-TEC, the National Center for Optics and Photonics Education, is a National Science Foundation (NSF) National Center of Excellence with the stated mission of promoting photonics education and assisting colleges around the country in developing and implementing educational programs that support expansion of this critical new technology.

As part of our efforts to provide faculty development in optics and photonics, OP-TEC will be offering a hybrid, online faculty development course.  The course will cover OP-TEC’s Fundamentals of Light and Lasers.  Each of the six modules will be taught online over a two-week period with a high level of self-paced instruction combined with an interactive component facilitated by e-mail exchanges and chat room discussions.

Fundamentals of Light and Lasers Modules:

• Module 1:  Nature and Properties of Light
  Module 2:  Optical Handling and Positioning
  Module 3:  Light Sources and Laser Safety
  Module 4:  Basic Geometrical Optics
  Module 5:  Basic Physical Optics
  Module 6:  Principles of Lasers

This online course is being offered at no charge to high school, community college and technical college faculty interested in teaching a basic photonics course.  Participants who successfully complete the 12-week course and 3-day laboratory session will receive a certificate of completion from OP-TEC.  Participants will also be awarded 9 CEUs.

Next course date: Starts September 20, 2010 ( 12-week course runs 9/20/10 - 12/10/10)

The six modules will be taught over a 12-week period.  After the completion of Module 6, all participants will spend a 3-day period at an OP-TEC Partner College where they will have the opportunity to conduct all laboratory experiments included in the course and discuss with experienced instructors best practices for teaching the materials.

Additional course details, contact information and application instructions are provided below!

• Intended Audience:
  This online course is designed for high school, community college and technical college faculty interested in teaching a basic photonics course.
• Dates:
  Next course date: Starts September 20, 2010 ( 12-week course runs 9/20/10 - 12/10/10)
  This is a 12-week online course that will run from September 20, 2010, through December 10, 2010. The 3-day laboratory session will occur in June 2011. The laboratory session will be arranged at a time that is mutually agreeable to the participants.
• Location:
  This course will be taught online. Participants will be required to attend a 3-day lab session at Camden County Collage (www.ccc.edu) in Blackwood, New Jersey. There is schedule and location flexibility avaliable to participants for the laboratory portion of the course. Logistical arrangements will be considered and made on a case-by-case basis.
• Cost:
  This online course will be offered at no charge.  Participants will be responsible for all travel and lodging expenses to attend the 3-day lab session.
• Computer Requirements:
  To complete this course, participants must have access to a computer, printer, telephone/cell phone and internet access.  Participants will utilize the Blackboard system and an electronic book format.
• Materials:
  Course materials will be provided at no charge.
• Instructors:
  This course will be taught by instructors experienced in teaching basic photonics concepts at the college level.
• Application Instructions:
  Applications are accepted online or by mail or fax. Applications must be recived by September 15, 2010. Applicants will be notified by e-mail of their application status. Once accepted to participate in the course, applicants will receive additional course information and materials.

For More Information:
For additional information, please call 254-741-8338 x394 or e-mail op-tec@op-tec.org.

OP-TEC Contact Information:
OP-TEC: National Center for Optics and Photonics Education
324B Kelly Drive
Waco, TX 76710
Phone:  254-741-8338 x394
Fax:  254-399-6581
E-mail:  op-tec@op-tec.org
Web:  www.op-tec.org

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