In this manuscript a computer based simulation is proposed for teaching concepts of interference of
light (under the scheme of a Michelson interferometer), phase-shifting and polarization states. The
user can change some parameters of the interfering waves, such as their amplitude and phase
difference in order to graphically represent the polarization state of a simulated travelling wave.
Regarding to the interference simulation, the user is able to change the wavelength and type of the
interfering waves by selecting combinations between planar and Gaussian profiles, as well as the
optical path difference by translating or tilting one of the two mirrors in the interferometer
setup, all of this via a graphical user interface (GUI) designed in MATLAB. A theoretical
introduction and simulation results for each phenomenon will be shown. Due to the simulation
characteristics, this GUI can be a very good non-formal learning resource.