The National Center for Optics and Photonic Education (OP-TEC), is a National Science Foundation (NSF) National Center of Excellence with the mission of promoting photonics education and assisting colleges around the United States in developing and implementing educational programs that support expansion of this critical technology.

As part of its efforts to provide faculty development in optics and photonics, OP-TEC offers a hybrid, online faculty development course in optics and photonics. This Open Entry/Open Exit course has been developed for faculty whose schedules demand a more flexible course timeline. It is perfect for busy faculty who might have difficulty keeping up with weekly assignments in a "scheduled" course, but who would have a period or periods of time during the semester or school year that would allow them to complete assignments and exams independently and at their own pace. It is also an excellent opportunity for junior faculty, adjunct faculty, and lab technicians who may need to prepare to teach a college level or dual credit introductory photonics course.

This online course is being offered at no charge to U.S. high school, community college and technical college faculty interested in teaching a basic photonics course.

The course will cover OP-TEC's Fundamentals of Light and Lasers. Modules Include: Nature and Properties of Light, Optical Handling and Positioning, Light Sources and Laser Safety, Basic Geometrical Optics, Basic Physical Optics, and Principles of Lasers.

Online: The course is facilitated by an instructor experienced in teaching photonics concepts at the college level and will require a high level of independent self-paced instruction. The six modules will be completed online and through email with the instructor. Though this course is self-paced, participants must pass all six End of Module tests by May 15, 2013 to be eligible to attend the Capstone Laboratory Experience in June 2013.

Hands-on: After successful completion of all six modules by May 15, 2013, participants will spend a 3-day Capstone Laboratory Experience at an OP-TEC partner college where they will have the opportunity to conduct laboratory experiments included in the course and discuss with experienced instructors best practices for teaching the materials.

Participants who successfully complete the online course and the 3-day laboratory session will receive a certificate of completion from OP-TEC. Participants may also apply for 9 CEUs from an OP-TEC partner college.

No tuition or materials fees! Participants will be responsible for travel, lodging, and meals for the 3-day lab session in June 2013.

Applications are accepted online or by email. For more information and registration, please visit http://www.op-tec.org/faculty, call 254-751-9000, or email [email protected].