Masters of Science in Optics
Overview
The Masters of Science (MS) in optics program is intended for students with a bachelor's degree in optics, electrical engineering,
physics, or closely related fields who wish to pursue a career in industry or go on for a Ph.D. degree. The MS degree is
awarded to students who have demonstrated a high level of ability in their graduate studies. We offer both thesis and non-thesis
options. The thesis option requires students to carry out and write a thesis on an original research project in optics under
the direction of a faculty member in the College of Optics and Photonics. The non-thesis option requires only coursework,
but a comprehensive oral examination must be taken.
Graduate Catalog
The
Graduate catalog
contains all degree requirements and university policies regarding graduate education.
MS Handbook
The
MS handbook
provides most details that students need to know to create their program of study and complete all requirements for the
MS degree. If you do not find what you need in the handbook, please contact:
Degree Requirements
The MS degree requires 30 graduate credit hours.
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Thesis Option:
- at least 24 hours of graduate science and engineering course work, satisfying all of the following requirements:
- at least 12 hours must be Optics and Photonics courses
- at least 6 hours are science/engineering graduate laboratory courses
- at least 3 of the laboratory hours must be in Optics and Photonics
- 6 hours of thesis (OSE 6971)
No Research hours or Directed Research may be applied to the Master’s Thesis program of study.
Non-Thesis Option:
- at least 30 hours of graduate science and engineering course work, satisfying all of the following requirements:
- at least 18 hours must be Optics and Photonics courses
- at least 6 hours are science/engineering graduate laboratory courses
- at least 3 of the laboratory hours must be in Optics and Photonics
No more than 3 hours of directed research (OSE 6918), or Research report (OSE 6909) may be included in the program of study.
Core requirements:
In both thesis and non-thesis options, the following foundation courses are strongly recommended for all students unless
they can demonstrate knowledge sufficient to waive the course in which case they will take an additional elective.
- OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics (3 credit hours)
OR
- OSE 6111 Optical Wave Propagation (3 credit hours) and
- OSE 6115 Interference and Diffraction (3 credit hours)
Electives:
There are no set electives or tracks in the MS program. However, the research and academic programs in the college are focused
on 5 areas of specialization:
Many optics courses are offered in each area, allowing MS students to specialize in one or more of these areas. While developing
their program of study, students should consult the associate dean for academic programs to ensure the correct prerequisites
are taken, etc.
The MS degree can be completed in 12 months by pursuing an accelerated
schedule that involves taking 12 credit hours (4 courses) in fall, 12 in spring and 6 (two courses) in summer.
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Due to the
accelerated schedule, it is recommended that students carry out a 3-credit hour research report in lieu of a thesis. Students
must complete the same program requirements as listed above for the Optics masters program, but it is recommended that students
follow a program of study that specializes in one of the following four areas:
- Fiber Optic Communications
- Imaging and Displays
- Optoelectronics
- Lasers
Sample programs of study, which can be completed in 12 months starting in the fall semester, are given below:
| Semester |
Fiber Optic
Communications |
Imaging & Displays |
Optoelectronics |
Lasers |
Fall
(12 Cr. Hrs.) |
Wave Optics |
Wave Optics |
Wave Optics |
Wave Optics |
| Laser Engineering |
Laser Engineering |
Laser Engineering |
Laser Engineering |
| Geometrical Optics |
Geometrical Optics |
Geometrical Optics |
Geometrical Optics |
| Applied Optics Lab |
Applied Optics Lab |
Applied Optics Lab |
Applied Optics Lab |
Spring
(12 Cr. Hrs.) |
Guided Waves & Optoelectronics |
Optical System Design |
Fundamentals of Optoelectronics |
Semiconductor Lasers |
| Fiber Optic Communications |
Fourier Optics |
Optoelectronics Device Fabrication Lab |
Fiber Lasers |
| Integrated Photonic Devices |
Foundations of Bioimaging Science |
Semiconductor Lasers |
High Speed Photonics |
| Technical Elective |
Technical Elective |
Technical Elective |
Technical Elective |
Summer
(6 Cr. Hrs.) |
Laser Engineering Lab |
Liquid Crystals/Flat Displays |
Liquid Crystals/Flat Displays |
Laser Engineering Lab |
| Research Report |
Research Report |
Research Report |
Research Report |
| Suggested Electives |
|
Photonics Lab |
Near Field Optics |
Photonics Lab |
Guided Waves & Optoelectronics |
| Optoelectronics Device Fabrication Lab |
Propagation in Inhomogeneous Media |
Guided Waves & Optoelectronics |
Frontiers in Ultrafast Optics |
|
|
Integrated Photonic Devices |
|
The
International track in the MS program allows students to conduct part
of their studies at other universities, with whom we have a reciprocal masters program. Currently these universities are
Friederich Schiller University in Jena, Germany and the
University of Bordeaux, France. Funding may be available. For additional information, contact:
Timeline for MS degree
There are no specific examinations required for the MS, except the thesis defense, or for non-thesis students, the MS comprehensive
oral exam. Passing the PhD Qualifying exam may substitute for the MS comprehensive oral exam. Students must form their Thesis
Advisory Committee prior to enrolling in thesis hours.
Forms The following are links to all the forms you may need to complete along the way to completing the MS. Reading
through these will give a good idea of what is required at each stage.
