These are student perspectives on the courses in Applied Science (EAD). Optics majors also take many of their classes from the Electrical and Computer Engineering department, so check out the ECE course Reviews as well.
Optical Engineering Courses
1. Optical Science and Engineering
This is generally taught seminar style. It's not particularly difficult, and you get to learn all about what optical engineers actually do. (Hint: not laser eye surgery.)
108A. Optics I
Geometric optics. Lenses, ray tracing, aberrations, etc. Lots of geometry.
108B. Optics II
Wave Optics. Transmission, diffraction, etc. More E&M than 108A.
161. Optical Design
Senior design project, though nothing stops you from taking it as a junior. This is going to be turned into a two-quarter series, which is good since ten weeks wasn't really enough to accomplish as much as we wanted to.
165. Statistical and Quantum Optics
I hope you remember some of P-Chem. This material is pretty hard conceptually.
166. Lasers and Nonlinear Optics
What self-respecting optics major doesn't love lasers?
167. Fourier Optics
The homework assignments take a lot of time, but start early. I've heard that this is really important material if you're going on to graduate school.
170. Optical Spectroscopy: Concepts and Instrumentation
Learn a lot about NIST. If you take this with McCurdy, he likes to go off on tangents that turn out to be really interesting.
172. Optical Methods for Biological Research
Did you take this course? Write something about it!
Computational Applied Science Courses
2. Introduction to Applied Computational Science and Engineering
Did you take this course? Write something about it!
115. Numerical Solution of Engineering and Scientific Problems
Did you take this course? Write something about it!
116. Computer Solution of Physical Problems
Did you take this course? Write something about it!
117A. Simulation and Modeling of Deterministic Dynamical Systems
Did you take this course? Write something about it!
117B. Simulation and Modeling of Statistical Systems
Did you take this course? Write something about it!
117C. Topics in Simulation and Modeling
Did you take this course? Write something about it!
118. High Performance Computing
Did you take this course? Write something about it!
119. Applied Computational Linear Algebra
Did you take this course? Write something about it!