Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y N
Course Code PHYS3850
Date2023/09/24 21:39
Enquiry for Course Details
PHYS3850 Physical Optics (6 credits) Academic Year 2023
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Dr D K Ki, Physics < dkki@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr D K Ki,Physics)
Course Objectives This course covers the development of modern physical optics, with particular attention to the physical properties and applications of light in the advanced undergraduate level.  It is an elective course for the experimental physics theme.
Course Contents & Topics Wave theory of electromagnetic radiations and light; Review of geometric optics; The propagation and superposition of light waves; Interference, Diffraction and Coherence of light; Fourier optics; Some topics of modern optics.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 explain and calculate the fundamental properties including propagation, reflection, refraction, polarization, interference and diffraction of light waves by using the theory of waves
CLO 2 apply the theory of optics to design optical arrangements for measuring optical properties of materials, such as refractive index
CLO 3 apply essential theories to design various optical components or devices, such as anti-reflection and reflection-enhancement films
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in PHYS2250 and PHYS2255
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2023 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Physics (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Minor in Physics ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2023 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Physics < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Physics (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply highly effective lab skills and techniques. Critical use of data and results to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions.
B Demonstrate substantial command of the knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities, reasoned logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply effective lab skills and techniques. Correct use of data of results to draw appropriate conclusions.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply moderately effective observation skills and techniques. Mostly correct but some erroneous use of data and results to draw appropriate conclusions.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills. Apply partially effective lab skills and techniques. Limited ability to use data and results to draw appropriate conclusions.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective. Apply minimally effective or ineffective lab skills and techniques. Misuse of data and results and/or unable to draw appropriate conclusions.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory Completing the relevant laboratory experiment and submitting reports 6
Lectures 12 chapters 36
Tutorials Tutorials about the key points and question solving skills 8
Reading / Self study Reading and reviewing lecture notes and developing problem-solving skills 80
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 4 assignments 20 CLO 1,2,3
Examination 2-hour written exam 40 CLO 1,2,3
Laboratory reports Two experiments 15 CLO 1
Test Mid-term test 25 CLO 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Lecture Notes prepared by Course Coordinator
E. Hecht: Optics (Addison-Wesley, 2017, 5th edition)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL
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