Innovative Educational Experience
Through rigorous academic instruction, laboratory exercises, informal events, and networking opportunities, faculty and staff at the Institute of Optics are dedicated to providing a challenging and enjoyable educational experience in the broad field of optics.
Academics
The Institute offers two undergraduate degrees and a minor as well as several graduate degree programs.
BS in Optics
Optics majors gain a comprehensive foundation in optics with their senior year focused on completing two thesis courses—providing them with further research experience and a thesis that will comprehensively report their findings.
BS in Optical Engineering
Optical engineering majors gain a comprehensive foundation in optics, culminating in two senior design courses—giving them practical experience in applying optical knowledge to work on real-world, company-sponsored, problems.
Minor in Optics
Optics minors get a broad introduction to optics, learning everything from geometrical optics to interference and diffraction. Students also get to customize their own minor, choosing two 200-level courses from the Institute’s offerings.
MS Program
The MS program in optics can be completed between two or four semesters of full-time study, or over a longer period of part-time study. Students can also complete their MS coursework virtually through the HOME program.
MS Home Program
The Hybrid Optics Master’s Education (HOME) curriculum includes the same core curriculum as our regular MS with an intensive three-week in-person version of our hands-on MS lab class.
PhD Program
The PhD program in optics prepares students for high-level research in academia, industry, or national laboratories. Students are exposed to a broad range of areas within this field through class work, seminars, and one-on-one meetings with faculty.
Continuing Your Education in Optics
Professional Development
Since 1974, the Institute of Optics has maintained an Industrial Associates (IA) Program that provides training to industry partners, increases the institute’s ability to educate students to assume key roles in the optics industry, and provides networking opportunities between industry partners and current students.
With over 50 corporate members, the IA program also helps members advance their business goals, recruit top candidates, collaborate with institute faculty, and promote their organization at our bi-annual meeting.
Optics Summer Short Course Series
Education doesn’t stop when you graduate. That’s why the Institute of Optics created an Optics Summer Short Course Series that allows professionals in a variety of fields to take courses in optics. Summer courses range from fundamentals to advanced topics in optical science and engineering and are taught by national leaders in optics from the Institute and around the country.