Master's Program

The MS program in optics is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to contribute to state-of-the-art optics research and development. Students with backgrounds in optical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, and other engineering fields are well-suited to the MS program in optics.

Customize Your MS Program

A number of options are available within the general degree requirements to satisfy the needs of a variety of students:

  • Coursework MS
    • Standard option (two semesters)
    • With summer residency (three semesters)
    • Certified specialty
    • Hybrid Optics Master’s Education (online MS with in-person laboratory training)
    • MS Co-Op Program (four semesters)
  • Thesis MS (three to four Semesters)
  • Part-Time

For more information about financing and application requirements, visit the applying page.

Coursework MS

These courses provide the student with broad knowledge of the field of optics and its applications.

Required Courses

All of the following core courses are required:

  • Optics 443: Fundamentals of Modern Optical Systems
  • Optics 463: Wave Optics and Imaging
  • Optics 423: Detection of Optical Radiation
  • Optics 456: Optics Laboratory

Plus four electives or labs:

  • One in physical optics
  • One in geometrical optics
  • One in quantum optics
  • One open elective, where students can choose any course

Students must also complete a research essay (15 pages) written under supervision of a faculty member on a selected topic.

*For more information on the electives available and program requirements, see the Graduate Handbook (pdf).

Standard Option (Two Semesters)

This program is tailored for students looking to get a basic training in optics and quickly enter the workforce. With the standard option, students can complete their degree in as little as nine months by taking 30 hours of coursework and writing a final essay.

Sample Schedule

Fall semester, first year:

  • Wave Optics and Imaging
  • Foundations of Modern Optics
  • Optics lab or elective
  • Elective

Spring semester, first year:

  • Detection of Optical Radiation
  • Optics Laboratory or elective
  • Elective
  • Elective
Coursework MS with Summer Residency (Three Semesters)

This option allows the student to extend the coursework over three semesters while maintaining full-time status. Students in this program typically do a summer residency in a research group or in industry. They can follow the standard coursework or pursue a certified specialty area.

Sample Schedule

Fall semester, first year courseload would include:

  • Wave Optics and Imaging
  • Foundations of Modern Optics
  • Optics lab or elective*

Spring semester, first year courseload would include:

  • Detection of Optical Radiation
  • Optics Laboratory or elective*
  • Elective*

Fall semester, second year courseload would include:

  • Elective*
  • Elective*

*For more information on the electives available and program requirements, see the Graduate Handbook (pdf).

Certified Specialty

Students interested in a particular area of optics can choose to specialize in one of the following areas:

  • Photonics
  • Optical communications
  • Electro-optics/nonlinear optics
  • Optical materials
  • Laser engineering
  • Medical optics
  • Image science
  • Optical design, fabrication and testing
  • Business administration

The timeline for this program is similar to the standard option, with some of the required courses replaced with courses specific to the specialty.

MS Co-Op Program (Four Semesters)

This option is ideal for students looking to combine formal education with practical industrial experience. Students begin with one semester of coursework, and then spend one full year working in industry, before completing a second semester of coursework. During the year in industry, students are paid the normal salary for employees with similar levels of experience. The Institute of Optics assists students in securing a co-op position in industry.

Sample Schedule

Fall semester, first year courseload would include:

  • Wave Optics and Imaging
  • Foundations of Modern Optics
  • Optics lab or elective*
  • Elective*

Spring semester first year:

  • Work in industry

Fall semester, second year:

  • Work in industry

Spring semester, second year courseload would include:

  • Detection of Optical Radiation
  • Optics Laboratory or elective*
  • Elective*
  • Elective*

*For more information on the electives available and program requirements, see the Graduate Handbook (pdf).

Hybrid Optics Master’s Education (Online MS with in-person laboratory)

The Hybrid Optics Master’s Education (HOME) is a highly flexible online MS program designed with working professionals in mind. It features three-weeks of in-person laboratory training to instill crucial skills and integrate HOME students with our optics community.

The majority of the HOME is entirely online with courses offered asynchronously—allowing students to set their own schedules. The three-weeks of in-person laboratory training are offered in the summer and winter between fall and spring semesters.

Visit the HOME page for more information.

Thesis MS (Three to Four Semesters)

The thesis master’s program is a great option for students looking to get advanced training in research and pursue a research-based thesis. This option generally requires 18 to 24 months and allows the student to develop a high level of expertise in a specialized field.

 

Sample Schedule

Fall semester, first year:

  • Wave Optics and Imaging
  • Foundations of Modern Optics
  • Optics lab

Spring semester, first year:

  • Detection of Optical Radiation
  • Elective
  • Research

Fall/spring semester second year:

  • Research
  • Thesis writing

For more information on the electives available and program requirements, see the Graduate Handbook (pdf).

Two students working in a lab.

Your Program, Your Schedule

Part-Time Programs

All of the MS program options are compatible with part-time study. Part-time students take less than 12 credits each semester—typically one to two courses (four to eight credits). Students can move from part-time to full-time (and vice versa) between semesters. Part-time MS programs take at least four semesters to complete.

More Information

Want to receive more information on getting an MS in optics? You can request information about MS degree paths, optics faculty and Institute research, or get any other question answered by completing our inquiry form.