Enhancement of Undergraduate Faculty Expertise in Lasers andOptics

主要教授本科生的教员正接触到现代激光/光学技术和科学的兴奋和活力。这些活动正在精心组织，以说明基本光学概念与涉及先进和尖端设备的重点应用之间的联系。基本概念是那些通常在本科水平的二年级或三年级光学部分或课程中教授的概念。其结果是加深了参与者对从基础到应用的流程的理解，他们将获得关于快速发展的光学领域的最新发展的直接、实践经验。学员所获得的个人经验正在转化为更好的教学，通过讲座和实验室的发展以及学生对光学职业的激励。这些讲习班的动机和与提供研究生培训的大学的联系为参与者的学生带来了更多的机会。通过在美国激光学会未来三年每年在佛罗里达、马萨诸塞州和加利福尼亚州举行的年度会议上举办这些研讨会，本科教师的机会大大增加。此外，年度会议增加了与会者可获得的教育机会。对参与者及其学生的跟踪旨在提供持续的计划改进，并最大限度地产生长期影响。正在编写一份实验室手册，作为讲习班和后续活动的一部分。参加者的旅费和激光研究所的宣传费用将占方案费用的20%左右。

Faculty who teach primarily undergraduates are being exposed to the excitement and vitality of modern laser/optics technology and science. The activities are being carefully structured to illustrate connection between fundamental optical concepts and well focused applications involving advanced and sophisticated equipment. Basic concepts are those normally taught in a second or third year optics segment or course at the undergraduate level. The result is an increased understanding of the flow from basic to applied on the part of the participants, who will gain direct, hands on experience with recent developments in the rapidly advancing field of optics. The personal experience gained by the participants is translating into better instruction through both lecture and laboratory development and motivation of students toward optics careers. The motivation and the connection of these workshops with universities offering graduate training is resulting in greater opportunities for the participant's students. By holding these workshops in conjunction with the Laser Institute of America's annual meetings in Florida, Massachusetts and California in each of the next three years the opportunities for undergraduate faculty are greatly expanded. In addition the annual meeting enhances the educational opportunities available to the participants. Follow up for the participants and their students is designed to provide continuing program improvement, and maximum long-term impact. A laboratory manual is being produced as a part of the workshops and follow-up activities. Cost sharing by the participants for their travel and the Laser Institute for publicity will constitute about 20 per cent of the cost of the program.