Courses
Kudos for Jennifer's Courses
Jennifer has taught at High Schools, SUNY Brockport, the Optical Systems Technology program at Monroe Community College, SPIE conferences, and optics companies.
Any of the courses below can be modified and/or presented in person at your facility.
“This is one of my favorite talks I have attended…”
“I thought Professor Michels was an excellent teacher. She really knew the material.”
“I learned a great deal in working with you - things I still use to this day.”
“I appreciate the ways she developed understanding and enthusiasm.”
"Thank you so much for really breaking everything down in the videos."
“…much of what we learned about optics we learned from Jennifer; she was so willing to cooperate...
COST Conscious tolerancing of optical systems
Course Description
Presented in this course are concepts and methods to help attendees determine optimal tolerances for optical systems, regardless of product volume.
Beginning with a review of the role of the systems engineer in the verification and allocation of requirements, a 10-step plan for creating error budgets is introduced. These budgets provide the basis for developing tolerances for design, optical and mechanical fabrication, assembly, operation, compensation, and calibration as needed.
The importance of iteratively tolerancing throughout the design and development process is discussed in detail.
Two optical system examples are featured, and tolerancing is demonstrated for focal length, wavefront error and MTF, and geolocation. These exercises are intended to help those in systems engineering, optical design, fabrication, and metrology work together to build high-quality cost-competitive optical systems.
Photonics West 2025
This is a full-day course taught at SPIE conferences. I took this course over form Richie Youngworth in 2023. Enrollment should be available soon at https://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/photonics-west/program/courses#_=_
Check out the SPIE Education Webinar Series to view a review of the course. https://spie.org/education/courses/coursedetail/SC720?f=GroupTraining#_=_
optical testing standards you cannOT AFFORD TO IGNORE
Don't reinvent the wheel
This course introduces students to the range of optical tests that are currently standardized according to the International Standards Organization. There are over 100 documents that outline methods to measure optical characteristics and performance of materials, coatings, laser beams, various instruments, full electro-optical systems, and more. Step up and beat your competition with these proven and transparent methods. Presented by OEOSC experts (who have brought you the wildly successful ISO 10110 courses), this course will allow you to identify tests you need. The full list of standard titles will be provided for your use.
Optifab 2025
This half-day course is under development by the OEOSC, with a grant from AmeriCOM. I hope to teach it at Optifab in October. Please email me if you would like to get on a waiting list.