Have you ever wondered about the wave-particle duality of light? Do you want to learn how lenses work? This class offers a whirlwind tour of basic principles of optics. The first half of the course will focus on geometrical optics to study how optical devices work, like pinhole cameras, magnifying lenses, mirrors, telescopes and more. Students will learn and derive the laws of reflection and refraction. In the second half we will take a look at the wave-nature of light, and try to understand the phenomena of polarization and interference. We will discuss the principles behind holograms, which enable 3D imaging . If time permits, we will discuss the basics of quantum optics. The class will be supplemented by optical demonstrations that the student can repeat at home.

Ever seen this formula, and wonder why it's useful? $$ e^{i\theta} = cos\theta + i sin\theta$$ Come and learn about the incredible role of complex numbers in applied mathematics. The class will teach about the basic properties of complex numbers assuming almost zero prior knowledge about them. It will cover basic applications in science and engineering.

Have you ever wondered about the wave-particle duality of light? Do you want to learn how lenses work? This class will focus on introducing basic principles of optics. The first half of the course will focus on geometrical optics to study how optical devices work, like pinhole cameras, magnifying lenses, mirrors, telescopes and more. Students will learn and derive the laws of reflection and refraction. In the second half we will take a look at the wave-nature of light, and try to understand the phenomena of polarization and interference. We will discuss the principles behind holograms, which enable 3D imaging . If time permits, we will discuss the basics of quantum optics. The class will be supplemented by optical demonstrations that the student can repeat at home.

In 1956, C.L. Stong wrote in a Scientific American column: "If you fasten a disk of alcohol-soaked blotting paper in the bottom of a jar, screw on the lid and up-end the jar on a cake of dry ice, you will occasionally see the concluding phase of an event which may have had its origin millions of years ago in an exploding star." In this class, students will learn how to build their own cloud chambers to detect cosmic radiation, while learning a bit about the physics behind them.