University of South Carolina

Physics J153 & J153L

PHYSICS AND THE VISUAL ARTS

Fall Semester 2008


Schedule for Fall Semester 2008.

The lectures for this course are on DVD and all work will be submitted via the LONCAPA. Check the the syllabus for more detail.

Links to study notes for the lessons are found toward the bottom of this page.

Link to LONCAPA instructions and log-in.

Physics and the Visual Arts, a three-credit course in light, color, and vision, and its one-credit laboratory are being offered through distance education for Fall 2008. The course incorporates a multi-media presentation of the content along with a well-organized hands-on laboratory component. Because of the unconventional delivery, it is mandatory that all students taking the course enroll in both PHYS J153 and PHYS J153L. A kit containing all of the necessary materials for the laboratory portion will be available through the Distance Education office for about $100. Follow this link to see the contents of the lab kit.

Physics and the Visual Arts includes many topics that usually are not covered in most general physics courses such as PHYS 201-202 at the University of South Carolina. Topics covered include the basic properties of light, geometrical optics of reflections and refractions, mirrors and lenses, cameras and photography, the eye and vision, image processing in the eye, depth perception and three-dimensional imaging, color production and color perception, color photography and video, digital photography, wave optics, polarization, and holography.

Although the class will be delivered via distance education, it is not self-paced! The class is broken into 14 units, each corresponding to one week in a conventional class. The lessons will include vivid demonstrations of the phenomena being discussed. Many of these demonstrations will directly relate to the laboratory exercises that are intended to allow hands-on experience. There will be one initial class meeting on Sat. Aug. 23.  See the Fall Schedule.


Homework will be required and will be submitted via the Internet on a regular schedule. Laboratory reports will be submitted electronically, also. There will be one mid-term test and a comprehensive final exam. Both the mid-term and the final will be in a multiple-choice format and will be administered electronically. Further details may be found in the syllabus.

The due dates for both homework and laboratory work are found in the assignment schedule for fall 2008.

The study notes linked below include summaries of the video lessons as well as additional material that may not be found in the text or the DVD. Please consult them when you study. Also, there are additional details about the laboratory exercises that will be helpful to you.

Notes for Lesson 1.
Notes for Lab 1.
Notes for Lesson 2.
Notes for Lesson 3.
Notes for Lab 2.
Notes on raytracing.
Notes for Lesson 4.
Notes for Lab 3.
Notes for Lesson 5.
Notes for Lab 4.
Notes for Lesson 6.
Notes for Lab 5.
Notes for Lesson 7.
Notes for Lab 6.
Notes for Lesson 8.
Notes for Lab 7.
Notes for Lesson 9.
Notes for Lesson 10.
Notes for Lab 8.
Notes for Lesson 11.
Notes for Lab 9.
Notes for Lesson 12.
Notes for Lesson 13.
Notes for Lesson 14.

Here are some interesting web links that you may find useful.
You will find lots of interesting things at How Stuff Works. It is not always the best technical information, but it is close enough to give you insight about lots of things.
Another good physics site is U. of Colorado Physics. There are many good explanations of physical phenomena here.

Back to Physics Dept web page.
Back to USC.
Last Modified: 06/13/08
Maintained by:rjones@physics.sc.edu