Optical Methods for Biological Research (Parikh, Yeh - EAD 172 - 3 units)

This course targets undergraduate majors in Optical Science and Engineering and undergraduates in science and engineering wishing to take a biophotonics elective. Goal of this course is to show how optical methods can make a difference in our understanding of significant biology problems. Topics such as cell signaling, cancer biology and cell motility are introduced. For each topic, we introduce the significant biological principles involved and the range of optical methods that can be employed to produce new knowledge about these topics at a fundamental level.

Youth Experiences in Biophotonics (Ponzio - HDE 141, 92, 192 - 3 to 4 units)

The course offers instruction and experience for undergraduates providing science activities for early elementary children enrolled in after-school child care settings. The students engage in field experiences using the experiential learning model to teach about the interaction of light and living organisms. By participating in the course, non-science major undergraduates develop an increased awareness and understanding of the field of Biophotonics and science major participants gain experience in teaching science as cross-age mentors.

Additional Undergraduate Courses of Interest at UC Davis
For additional course offerings at UC Davis that will build your foundation in biophotonics, search courses offered in individual departments, click here to view all UCD departments by interest. Some good departments to search are: Optical Science and Engineering,Biological Systems Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering,Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

GRADUATE
Optical Methods in biophysics – EAD 271 (Y. Yeh, R. Balhorn, Felton) – 4 hrs/week for 10 weeks (Taught Spring 2004, Winter 2005, Spring 2006)
This is an advanced topics course that explores new and significant research areas in biophotonics. Topics include single molecule biophysics and spectroscopy, intracellular and intercellular dynamics as probed by photonics means, new modalities in optical imaging of biologically significant structures, and significant research in applying optical techniques to medical practices at both diagnostic and therapeutic levels. Dissertation research topics in biophotonics have often become a product of this course.

Biophotonics seminar course – BPT290 (Y. Yeh, F. Chuang) – 1hr/week ongoing (Taught Fall 2005, Winter 2006, Spring 2006)
Topically focused seminar series on biophotonics research as applied to cellular and molecular biology, bioimaging, and medical applications. Course approval anticipated Winter 2006.

Special Topics in Biophotonics – EAD 289 through Applied Science, and BIM 289B (CRN 74094) through Biomedical Engineering (Matthews) – 3 hrs/week for 10 weeks (Taught for the first time in Winter 2006)
This course explores in depth the latest advances in Biophotonics through in-depth discussions with leading researchers in the field. NOTE: This course will be shared via televideo with UTSA, Fisk, Alabama A&M, and UNR (University of Nevada, Reno)

Winter 2007 syllabus/materials

UTSA and UTSA Health Sciences Campus, San Antonio, TX
UNDERGRADUATE
Biophotonics - PHY 3463 and PHY3463Independent (D. Sardar) – 3 hours/week for 15 weeks (Taught Spring 2003, Fall 2004)
This course reviews basic elements of optics and optical sources, especially lasers and light-emitting solid-state devices, in the context of biomedical applications. Dosimetry, tissue optics, and the principles of laser-tissue interaction are considered in depth. Current medical uses of lasers are surveyed, along with their scientific and technical foundations. The course includes several case studies of research areas that are currently "hot topics" in biomedical optics.

GRADUATE
RADI 6060 (R. Glickman, D. Sardar) – 3 hours/week for 15 weeks
(Taught Fall 2004 and Spring 2005)
Optical methodologies for imaging, diagnosis, and therapy are rapidly advancing in biology and medicine.  This course will review basic elements of optics and optical sources, especially lasers and light-emitting solid state devices, in the context of biomedical applications.  Dosimetry, tissue optics, and the principles of laser-tissue interaction will be considered in depth.  Current medical uses of lasers will be surveyed, along with their scientific and technical foundations.  The course will conclude with several case studies of research areas that are currently "hot topics" in biomedical optics


Alabama A&M University
GRADUATE
PHY 690 (and 610) (A. Sharma) – 4 hrs/week for 15 weeks (Taught Spring 2004 and 2005)
This is an interdisciplinary course dealing with applications of laser techniques to biology and medicine. Topics include fundamentals of light matter interaction, principles of lasers and laser technology, interaction of light with cells and tissues, bioimaging applications, optical biosensors including fluorescence sensing and fiber-optic biosensors, light activated therapy, tissue engineering with light, microarray technology for genomics and proteomics, principle of laser tweezer action and manipulation of single DNA molecules, Bionanophotonics and Biomaterials for photonics

Technical Vocational Institute (TVI), Albuquerque, AZ.
UNDERGRADUATE
PHO296/227L (S. Vasan) – 3 hrs/week for 15 weeks (Taught Spring, Summer and Fall 2005)
This course covers basic biological hierarchy, chemistry of biological molecules, DNA structure, replication, transcription and translation, mutation, transformation, enzymes, cell structures, physics of light, photon characterization, laser safety, laser principles, geometric optics, microscope, CCD basics, some basic electronics, photobiology, spectroscopy, laser tissue engineering, photodynamic therapy and optical imaging. There are a total of seven labs - two in biology, four in photonics and one in applications.

PHO296a/228L (S. Vasan) - 3 hrs/week for 15 weeks (Taught Summer 2005)
The course explores current day biophotonics applications and related topics. The topics covered include: wave optics, polarization as applied to microscopy, absorption, optical trapping, fiber optics and endoscopy, flow cytometry, bionanophotonics, ethics and research guidelines.

Winter 2006 Seminar

Winter 2007 Science Seminar Series

Winter 2007- EAD|BIM 289

Spring 2007-IST 9

Winter 2008- EAD|BIM 289

Winter 2009-EAD|BIM 289

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