HOME MS Program

Earn a master of science in optics at home! The Hybrid Optics Master’s Education (HOME) program offers the world-renowned Institute of Optics MS, taking advantage of the best remote-learning practice and a special in person component crafted to meet the needs of busy professionals.

The 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. The combination of online coursework and in-person practical training maintains the rigor of our traditional MS degree while maximizing flexibility. The program will accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals and remote learners from around the world.

Our program allows students to:

• Make personal connections with optics faculty, staff, students, and alumni
• Benefit from our personalized approach
• Participate in career development through both our IA program and the Greene Career Center

HOME is geared for students with a strong STEM foundation who want to work or are working in the vibrant and growing optics industry.

Flexible Schedule

HOME courses are designed with the working learner in mind. Every course is instructed in a live format and is recorded, giving you the option to participate independently or join in real time. HOME courses offer one-on-one interactions with instructors, teaching assistants, and student support services.

Curriculum

Students in the HOME program are required to take a total of seven lecture courses and three credits of an in-person MS laboratory course.

The seven lecture courses are broken down into three required core courses, and four elective courses where one elective course must have quantum optics content.

Required core courses:

• OPT 423: Detection of Optical Radiation (spring)
• OPT 443: Foundations of Modern Optical Systems (fall)
• OPT 463: Wave Optics and Imaging (fall)

Example of elective courses (not an exhaustive list):

• OPT 422: Color Technology (spring)
• OPT 428: Optical Communications (fall, quantum optics content)
• OPT 444: Lens Design (spring)
• OPT 446: Optical Interference Coatings (fall)

Three credits of in-person laboratory:

• OPT 454: MS HOME Laboratory (summer, 3 credits)

OR

• OPT 401, 402, 403: MS HOME Labs 1, 2, and 3 (spring, summer, 1 credit each)

Courses

Typical semester course offerings for the HOME program are listed below.

Typically offered in fall semesters:

• OPT 443 Foundations of Modern Optical Systems
• OPT 446 Optical Interference Coatings
• OPT 461 Fourier Optics
• OPT 463 Wave Optics and Imaging
• OPT 466 Ultrafast Optics and Laser Fundamentals
• OPT 467 Nonlinear Optics
• OPT 468 Integrated Photonics
• OPT 544 Advanced Lens Design

Typically offered in spring semesters:

• OPT 422 Color Technology
• OPT 423 Detection of Optical Radiation
• OPT 444 Lens Design
• OPT 465 Principles of Lasers

Typically offered in summer:

• OPT 401 HOME Lab Part I
• OPT 402 HOME Lab Part II
• OPT 403 HOME Lab Part III
• OPT 454 HOME Lab (full-version)

Visit our HOME courses page to see a list of the courses that will be offered in the upcoming semester, as well as information as to which courses will be offered online, in-person, or in a hybrid format.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The HOME program is a Hajim School graduate program and charges tuition at the Hajim graduate rate. You can view current tuition and fee schedules on the Bursar’s Office website.

Applicants to the Institute of Optics are automatically considered for tuition discounts and fellowships based on their application. No separate application or request process is needed.

Financial award package determination relies heavily on the statement of purpose and letters of reference. Improving your application to the program will also improve your financial award prospects.

Applying

Applications for the HOME program are accepted September 15 through July 1.

We are currently accepting applications for a program start date of January 11, 2022, or later. Applications for a program start in spring 2023 are due December 1, 2022. Applications for a program start in fall 2023 are due July 1, 2023.

To apply to the HOME program, apply to the optics MS program. You will be able to select the HOME program within the optics MS application, as well as select your desired entry term (spring or fall). If you encounter any difficulties, email the graduate program coordinator for assistance.

For details on the application, please see the graduate applying page.

Apply Online