Welcome to the physics Learndash Optical Radiation Self-Study Course
Aim
The aim of this course is to familiarise you with SSERC’s guidance on optical radiation. This will enable you to risk assess activities that use visible, ultraviolet and infrared light.
Tutor
The tutor for this course is Norman Bethune (Norman.Bethune@sserc.scot, telephone 01383626070)
Resources
The resources for this course are:
- SSERC’s Learndash guide to optical radiation – this document covers the hazards of optical radiation and the control measures you can put in place to make the risk acceptable. It is essential reading for the course.
- SSERC’s guide to practical physics – this document has guidance on common items of physics equipment and their uses. It is not solely about optical radiation but a number of relevant experimental set-ups are covered. It is not essential to study these practicals but it is likely to be helpful.
- Self-check quizzes – the quizzes will help you to evaluate your own understanding as you progress through the course. Most of the questions are multiple choice but a few require boxes to be ticked or filled in. You are not required to send your responses to SSERC, though your course tutor will be happy to discuss your answers.
- Answer to quizzes
- This course guide. Overleaf, the course is broken down into a series of study activities, interspersed with the self-check quizzes mentioned above.
Assignment and certification
Once you have worked your way through the reading tasks and the quizzes, plan and carry out an activity using one of the following types of optical radiation:
- Laser
- UV lamp or LED
- Blue ‘Lumiled’ type LED
Write a brief description of what you did. Describe the purpose of the experiment or demonstration. Include either a diagram or photograph of the set-up or a link to a video clip you made. Describe any control measures you put in place. Send it to your tutor by email. A scan of a hand-written document is fine. Your tutor may get back to you with suggestions for improvements. A satisfactory assignment and an evaluation of the course are all that SSERC requires in order to award you a certificate of successful completion.
Should you experience any issues or simply require clarification on any point please contact Norman.Bethune@sserc.scot
