Course syllabus

Theme 1: Time & human functioning (Week 1)

The most profound demonstration of biological effects lies in the fact that all humans - in fact all life on this planet - shows circadian rhythms in physiological, behavioral, and experiential processes. Our bodies and minds show clear recurring patterns with the rhythms of night and day. We will first learn about these rhythms, their origin and implications.

Theme 2: Light and time (NIF, non-image forming effects of light) (Weeks 2-5)

Subsequently we consider how light and time are intertwined in our daily biological functioning. This theme pertains to non-image forming effects of light on human functioning . We lean how light influences the amplitude and phase of the biological clock, i.e. circadian effects, and its impact on mental and physical health. And we learn how light acutely impacts our physiology and cognitive functioning.

Theme 3: Light and mind (IF, image forming effects of light) (Weeks 6-7)

Light affects us also via psychological mechanisms: light may create atmospheres, direct attention, or through associative pathways influence our perceptions, thoughts and behaviors. These image forming effects of light on human functioning are the processes and phenomena we consider in the third theme.

Theme 4: Integration & consolidation of IF and NIF effects (Week 8)

In the last week of the course we reflect on the two pathways of light, their research traditions, and their implications for creating optimal lighting conditions.