1. What is Light?

    1. The Nature of Light

  2. The Physics of Waves (Approximately 2 weeks)

    1. Wave Equations
    2. Superposition of Waves

  3. Geometric Optics (Approximately 1 week)

    1. Geometrical Optics

  4. Superposition and Interference (Approximately 3 weeks)

    1. Superposition of Waves
    2. Interference of Light
    3. Optical Interferometry
    4. Coherence

  5. Diffraction (Approximately 3 weeks)

    1. Fraunhofer Diffraction
    2. The Diffraction Grating
    3. Fresnel Diffraction

  6. Lasers (Approximately 3 weeks)

    1. Properties of Lasers
    2. Laser Operation
    3. Characteristics of Laser Beams

  7. Polarization and Nonlinear Optics (Approximately 2 weeks)

    1. Matrix Treatment of Polarization
    2. Production of Polarized Light
    3. Nonlinear Optics and the Modulation of Light

  8. Current Research Topics - (Intermingled with above as time permits)

    1. Selected Modern Applications