Optics and Waves
Physics · 3 hrs Lecture | 3 hrs Lab
Offering schedule: contact department
The calendar doesn't say which term this runs in. The sections below show the terms it actually runs in this year.
PHYS-2202 prerequisites
5 courses appear in this chain, up to 4 levels deep. 5 are needed whichever route you take: MATH-1104 → PHYS-1101 → PHYS-2105 → PHYS-2106 → PHYS-2200
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all of
all of
all of
all of
all of
Physics 40S
any one of
Pre-Calculus Mathematics 40S
Applied Mathematics 40S
all of
Both MATH-1103
any one of
Minimum grade of C in MATH-1103
the former MATH-1101
any one of
the former MATH-1101
both MATH-1103
Its prerequisites are shown above.
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Taking PHYS-2202 is a prerequisite for 1 course directly.
- PHYS-4201Electrodynamics
Where PHYS-2202 counts
Counts toward 2 more as one option among several, not as a course you must take:
Read from the departments' own calendar pages, where 71 of 141 programs are only partly machine-readable, so treat these as a minimum rather than the full list. Confirm with an academic advisor.
Description
This course provides an introduction to optics and wave motion. Topics covered include geometric optics with lenses and mirrors, Snell's law, the wave equation and basic properties of waves, interference and diffraction, wave vectors, and wave velocities. Other topics may include polarization and Fourier optics.
Requisite courses
PHYS-2105 and PHYS-2200 [prerequisite(s)]; PHYS-2106 (must be taken previously or at the same time as this course); PHYS-2202L (lab) (must be taken concurrently).
Restrictions
Students may not hold credit for this course and PHYS-2201.
From the 2026-27 undergraduate calendar. Always verify details on WebAdvisor or with an academic advisor before registering.