This course will cover the use of optics and photonics to develop environmental, industrial and commercial sensors. It includes fundamental knowledge of a wide range of optical and photonic measurement techniques and covers the process of designing and optimising optical sensors for real-world use. It is an application-driven course, including topics such as LiDAR, navigation systems, environmental gas sensing and intrusion/vibration detection. Laboratory work involves hands-on, project focused fibre-based and free-space experiments. Assignments promote creative design-based questions supported by computer simulation to justify reasoning and prove out sensing solutions.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the technologies that underly key components in an optical sensing system;
- Demonstrate how to quantify the effect of important parameters such as calibration, linearity and signal-to-noise;
- Design a simple topology for a sensing system by integrating key optical components;
- Effectively communicate the details of an optical sensor's design, operation, performance and limitations.
Other Information
Course page https://eng.anu.edu.au/
Indicative Assessment
- Assignments x 5 (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Laboratory (Includes a design project and in-class project presentation) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Final Exam (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Workshop Assessment (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
• Face-to face component which may consist of 2 x 2 hour workshops per week and a total of 18 laboratory hours per semester (6 x 3 hour sessions).
• Approximately 64 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures and other assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
N/A
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7210 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |