Contemporary Light Microscopy

3 credits

Introduction to the practical and theoretical foundations of light microscopy and advanced optical techniques used to study biological systems. Topics include the physics of light, physiology of the eye, photodetectors, bright field, dark field, and phase contrast microscopy; optical trapping; interference, polarization, and fluorescence; confocal and super-resolution microscopy; and image processing and machine learning strategies. Recommended: electromagnetism (PHYS 122 or equivalent); wave physics (PHYS 123 or equivalent); differential equations (either MATH 207, AMATH 351, or equivalent); and introductory biology (BIOL 200 or equivalent).