General physics: Optics [SPHYB125]

3 credits
22h+14h
1^st quarter
Language of instruction: French / Français
Teacher: Lepere Muriel

Learning outcomes

This course aims to provide tools to try to understand the world and the technologies that surround us, to explain the phenomena of everyday life... Based on observations, experiments and reflection, physics seeks a simple explanation, but as complete as possible, to lead to the formulation of laws or principles. The acquisition of this approach, called scientific reasoning, is a school of logic, a rigorous approach...The course therefore emphasizes the understanding of concepts/notions and reflection. At the end of this course, the student will be able to : • Express themselves in writing in correct scientific terms; • Use optical formulae, laws and principles appropriately to analyse and interpret a situation in everyday and/or professional life; • Handle orders of magnitude and units appropriately; • Explain and interpret natural/ everyday phenomena with physical science concepts; • Develop scientific critical thinking and scientific reasoning in response to a problem

Objectives

This course aims to provide students with an excellent level of knowledge in geometrical optics and wave optics. It is important to train the student in the observation of physical phenomena and the thinking, reasoning and rigour associated with them. At the end of this course, the student will be able to : • To be part of an ongoing process of training and reflection. • To develop a responsible, critical and reflective approach to professional practice; • Structure their thoughts, express themselves clearly in writing and orally using a precise and appropriate vocabulary and be able to argue their points; • Use appropriate techniques and tools to study and understand observable phenomena • Combine scientific reasoning and critical thinking with a systems approach

Content

This course is a presentation of the main chapters of geometrical optics and wave optics, as well as different optical devices (eye, microscope, telescope, ...). In the course of the oral presentation and as far as possible, new concepts are introduced from experiments performed live or viewed on video or established from simple demonstrations. The lecture This is followed by a discussion of the fundamental laws, with the emphasis on the physicist's usual approach: description, analysis and generalisation of the phenomenon. The practical and aesthetic significance of the laws is illustrated by the study of numerous applications. Theoretical courses are combined with practical work and tutorials (14 hours) which will enable the student to apply the notions/concepts seen, and even to go into them in greater depth.

Teaching methods

The theoretical part of the course will be given in the form of a lecture on an interactive whiteboard or by means of a slide show (including diagrams and demonstrations) or by means of video in the case of distance learning. The student is invited to ask any questions to the teacher via the forum on WebCampus or at the end of the course. The exercises will be teacher-led, i.e. the students will actively solve the problems themselves with the help of the teacher.

Evaluations

Due to the measures taken in the fight against the spread of covid-19 and those implemented at the UNamur level, the evaluation modalities are subject to modification to be adapted to the situation. The modified evaluation modalities will be communicated by the teacher to the students via WebCampus. This course consists of three distinct but complementary parts, the assessment will consist of an examination on the theoretical course, including exercises (assessment of tutorials) and a continuous assessment on the practical work. The practical work (PT) is evaluated continuously by the assistants/teachers. Practical work is compulsory. In the event of illness or exceptional absence, which must be justified to the faculty secretariat, the student must contact the assistant as soon as he/she returns to the University in order to organise a recovery session. Considering that the practical courses are subject to continuous evaluation, the mark obtained during the year will be carried over to the different sessions, if necessary. The mark obtained in this way is then integrated into the course mark, which accounts for approximately 15% of the overall mark. The assessment of the tutorials takes place during the January, June and August sessions, at the same time as the examinations on the theory course. The written examination on tutorials requires the solution of exercises based on those carried out during the year in tutorials. The TD mark thus obtained is then integrated into the course mark, where it accounts for approximately 30% of the overall mark. The criteria for assessment are essentially comprehension and logical thinking: on the basis of clear hypothesis(es) and/or precise definitions, express, sometimes with a minimum of mathematical development, the 'physical' perception of a problem; one may also be asked to explain an application. An answer often requires the presentation of a clear and well-drawn diagram or graph. Rote learning is not allowed; some numerical orders of magnitude should be retained. The exam will be two hours long and will be held online or in person. The exam on the theory course and the TDs is written in January, June and August. Specific instructions will be communicated in due course and some modifications to these assessment procedures may be made as the health crisis develops.

Language of instruction

French / Français

Location for course

NAMUR

Organizer

Faculté des sciences
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR

Degree of Reference

Undergraduate Degree

	Block	Credits
Bachelier en sciences chimiques	1	3
Bachelier en sciences physiques	1	3