| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
| 2024-12-01 | - |
| 2024-04-01 | - |
| 2024-07-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Optics and Photonics blends optical science and engineering, providing high-quality education and research in these fields. The program can be completed fully online, with an oral comprehensive exam covering core courses and a focus on industry development in Florida. International students must enroll full-time and may take online courses up to 3 of the 9 credit hours per semester.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Science in Optics and Photonics program is designed for students holding a bachelor's degree in optics, electrical engineering, physics, or closely related fields. The program's mission is to:
- Provide the highest-quality education in optical science and engineering
- Conduct scholarly, fundamental, and applied research
- Aid in the development of Florida's and the nation's technology-based industries The program 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, which is an oral exam based on the core courses (OSE 5115 Interference, Diffraction and Coherence, OSE 6111 Optical Wave Propagation, and OSE 5525 Laser Engineering). Students must pass this exam within one semester after completing the core courses. The exam can be taken twice. If a student fails on the second attempt, they must retake the courses covering the areas where the examination committee determined they were deficient. The retaken courses must be passed with a minimum grade of B+ for the student to graduate. The comprehensive examination requirement can be satisfied by passing the Optics and Photonics PhD Qualifying exam.
Other:
The College of Optics and Photonics has grown rapidly and now has 55 faculty members and faculty with joint appointments, 41 research scientists, and 148 graduate students. Research activities cover all aspects of optics, photonics, and lasers. The Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL), the Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE), and the Townes Laser Institute (TLI) are integral parts of the College. Current research areas include:
- Linear and nonlinear guided-wave optics and devices
- High-speed photonic telecommunications
- Fiber optic fabrication
- Fiber optic communications
- Solid-state laser development
- Nonlinear optics
- Laser-induced damage
- Quantum-well optoelectronics
- Quantum optics
- Infrared systems
- Optical diagnostics
- Optical system design
- Image analysis
- Virtual reality
- Medical imaging
- Diffractive optics
- Optical crystal growth and characterization
- High-intensity lasers
- X-ray optics
- EUV sources
- Optical glasses
- Laser materials processing
- Free-electron lasers
- Light matter interaction 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.
