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Vanderbilt Biophotonics Center

Vanderbilt Biophotonics Center

 

  2. BME285
  3. Course Description

Course Description

Course Objective:

The objective of this course is two-fold; (1) to provide students with a fundamental background in modern and classical optics, as well as principles of optical engineering, and (2) to provide students with a broad overview of state-of-the-art topics and cutting-edge research in the area of optics and lasers in medicine and biology. Fundamental concepts of optics and laser-tissue interaction will be discussed in order to provide a basis for the understanding of the current technology. The course is primarily a lecture course with approximately 40% of the lectures devoted to theory and 60% to experimental techniques, results and data interpretation.

Topics discussed in the course will include:

  • Electromagnetic waves, photons and light
  • Principles and properties of lasers and optics
  •  Basic Optics
  • Light propagation in tissue
  •  Thermal aspects of light-tissue interaction
  •  Therapeutic use of lasers
  •  Diagnostic use of lasers (‘optical biopsies’)
  •  Novel technologies and applications

Homework:
Homework assignments will be given throughout the semester. Students are encouraged to work together on homework but each student must turn in their own assignment. Assignments will include problems to be solved, reading assignments, and literature studies.

Projects:
A semester project will be assigned in coordination with the instructor. This project will likely run throughout the semester and will be in the form of a research paper that will be written by each student. This will include a literature search on a topic in the area of biomedical optics, the writing of a short draft paper and a full paper of approximately 10-12 typewritten pages.

Grading Policy:
 

Homework  25%
Project  25%
Midterm exam 10%
Tests 20%
Final Exam 20%

Note: The final exam will be optional and will be given during the last week of class at a time and date to be determined. If you decide not to take the final, the final grade will be computed by scaling your point total to 100. If you do take the final, it will count for 20% of your grade as indicated above.

Meeting times
MWF, 11:10 – 12:00

Textbook:
There is no textbook available required for this course. All materials for this course will be available to you online by following the links associated with each topic.

Office Hours:
TBA
By appointment (or anytime you can track me down)

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Disabilities: Vanderbilt is committed to equal opportunity for students with disabilities. If you have a physical or learning disability, you should ask the Opportunity Development Center to assist you in identifying yourself to your instructors as having a disability so that appropriate accommodation may be provided. Absent notification, your instructors assume you have no disabilities or seek no accommodation

Emergency Evacuation Plan: In the event of a fire or other emergency, the occupants of this class should collect coats and personal belongings and leave the building through the nearest exit. The class should collect at [insert location]. VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY POLICY FORBIDS REENTRY TO A BUILDING IN WHICH AN ALARM HAS OCCURRED WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION BY VANDERBILT SECURITY. If, in consequence of a disability, you anticipate the need for assistance, please discuss that with the professor.