| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2024-12-01 | - |
| 2024-04-01 | - |
| 2024-07-01 | - |
| 2025-04-01 | - |
| 2025-07-01 | - |
| 2025-12-01 | - |
| 2026-04-01 | - |
| 2026-07-01 | - |
| 2026-12-01 | - |
| 2027-04-01 | - |
| 2027-07-01 | - |
| 2027-12-01 | - |
| 2028-04-01 | - |
| 2028-07-01 | - |
| 2028-12-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Optics Track in UCF's online Master of Science in Optics and Photonics program prepares students with a STEM background for interdisciplinary careers in optics and engineering. The program features core courses in optical science and wave propagation, and students must pass a comprehensive examination based on these courses to graduate. International students must enroll full-time and meet specific online enrollment requirements.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Optics Track in the Master of Science in Optics and Photonics program is designed for students with a bachelor's degree in optics, electrical engineering, physics, or closely related fields. The program is interdisciplinary, combining optical science and engineering. It can be completed fully online, although not all elective options or program prerequisites may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.
Assessment:
The program includes a comprehensive examination based on the core courses (OSE 5115 Interference, Diffraction and Coherence, OSE 6111 Optical Wave Propagation, and OSE 5525 Laser Engineering or OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers may be used as a substitute for OSE 5525 Laser Engineering). Students must pass this exam within one semester after completing the core courses. The exam can be taken twice. After failing on the second attempt, the student will be required to re-take the courses covering the areas in which the examination committee determined the student to be deficient. The retaken courses must be passed with a minimum grade of B+ in order for the student to graduate. This Comprehensive Examination requirement may be satisfied by passing the Optics and Photonics Ph.D. Qualifying exam.
Other:
International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format.
