| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2024-12-01 | - |
| 2024-04-01 | - |
| 2024-07-01 | - |
| 2024-11-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Optics and Photonics MS program with a Photonics Track combines optical science and engineering, offering a flexible online format. It requires a comprehensive examination based on core courses, and students may transfer up to 9 credit hours from accredited universities. International students must maintain a full-time course load with limited online enrollment.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Photonics Track in the Optics and Photonics MS 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 requires 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.
- Students with degrees in related fields may be required to take undergraduate articulation courses determined by the program director on a case-by-case basis.
- Up to 9 credit hours of appropriate graduate courses from accredited universities recognized by UCF may be transferred with approval from the College of Optics and Photonics. Only courses with grades of "B" or better can be transferred.
