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PHYS 350 · Physics

Optics and Photonics

Geometrical and wave optics, interference, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, polarization, optical resonators, laser fundamentals, and photonics applications.

How to enroll Where it fits

Catalog overview

Course Essentials

Credits
3
Level
300 upper division
Typically offered
Fall, odd years
Prerequisites
PHYS 221.

300-level courses: advanced, upper-division courses requiring prior foundational preparation. Counts toward the 36 upper-division credits every bachelor's degree requires (Undergraduate Catalog §2.3). Details: Undergraduate Catalog §9.14.

Department of Physics

Department page →
Meridian Science Center Chair: Dr. Lei Guo, Meridian Science Center 257

Questions about a major or your plan: Academic Advising Center, Lovell Hall 101, (555) 555-0158.

PHYS 350 runs on a two-year rotation and isn't offered in 2026–27; it's next scheduled for Fall 2027. Department chairs make teaching assignments each year (Faculty Handbook §5.1), and every instructor posts the syllabus in Canvas by the first day of classes (Faculty Handbook §5.2).

Generative AI in this course

Every syllabus must state one of three levels: Level 1 (AI not permitted for graded work), Level 2 (AI permitted with disclosure for specified tasks), Level 3 (AI permitted broadly with disclosure). Check your section's syllabus in Canvas. Unless it says otherwise, the university default applies: generative AI tools may be used for brainstorming, studying, and feedback on your own drafts, but not to produce work you submit for a grade.

Details: Student Handbook §5.7 and Student Handbook §5.8. See what each AI level allows.

Degree planning

Where PHYS 350 fits

What to take first, what this course opens up, and the requirements it can satisfy, from the Undergraduate Catalog.

Take first

Catalog wording: PHYS 221.

Leads to

All Physics courses →

No other catalog course lists PHYS 350 as a prerequisite.

Counts toward

All programs →

Every course also counts toward the 120 credits needed for a bachelor's degree. Confirm your plan with your advisor or the Academic Advising Center.

AP credit

AP equivalency table →

No AP exam awards credit for PHYS 350 (Undergraduate Catalog §3.11).

Registration

How to enroll in PHYS 350

  1. Check the prerequisites

    PHYS 221.

  2. Add it in AlkimiHub

    PHYS 350 is offered in the fall semester of odd-numbered years; the next offering is Fall 2027. Register through AlkimiHub self-service registration, which opens by credit standing. Until the add deadline, you don't need instructor permission as long as seats remain and you've met the prerequisites. Details: Student Handbook §3.3.

  3. If the section is full, join the waitlist

    When a seat opens, AlkimiHub offers it to the first student on the waitlist and emails you. You have 24 hours to claim it before it goes to the next student. Details: Student Handbook §3.10.

All dates: academic calendar. Registration help: Office of the Registrar.

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