Skip to main content
#24
In the World

For Optics and Photonics Universities, ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

2,200
New Jobs

In optics and photonics — a trillion-dollar industry — are estimated to open annually in the U.S. through 2030.

3+
Degree Programs

The College of Optics and Photonics pioneers the science and technology of lights, lasers, fiber optics and other areas of study. Visit creol.ucf.edu to learn more.

“The best companies love our students.”

— Shin-Tson Wu, trustee chair professor

Find Your Degree Program

Or Browse Degrees:

Expert Faculty

Our faculty and researchers are focused on solving the biggest problems facing humanity.

Optics and photonics is the science and application of light. Its impact on daily life is far reaching — from medical devices to cellphones to space observation and exploration. At UCF, students learn from world-renowned educators and researchers like Konstantin Vodopyanov and go on to develop transformative technologies.

Konstantin Vodopyanov

Making Molecules “Sing” to Better Understand Them

21st Century Scholar Chair Professor of Optics, Photonics and Physics Konstantin Vodopyanov’s research uses laser pulses to identify molecules, which could be used to detect dangerous pollutants in the air or diseases using human breath.

UCF Faculty Are Leading Research, Discovery & Impact

By studying the behavior of light, nationally-recognized scientist Peter Delfyett has discovered new uses for lasers, helping data move faster on the internet and driving the future of autonomous vehicles.

How UCF faculty are advancing photonics

peter delfyett
Layton Hall

CREOL is a premier optics school with excellent faculty and resources.”

Isabella Pardo

Isabella Pardo ’23

Bachelor’s in photonic science and engineering

“I feel honored to receive this award. I am tremendously thankful for the overwhelming support from professors and students at CREOL that made this possible.”

Pardo is one of the first 20 Optica Women Scholars in the world, a competitive honor providing mentorship and financial aid for women in STEM.


Jason Eichenholz

Jason Eichenholz ’95MS ’98PhD

Master’s in optical science and engineering

Doctorate in optical science and engineering

“We have the opportunity to deliver what we believe is the world’s first autonomous solution for series production, powering highway autonomy and proactive safety.”

Eichenholz is a co-founder and chief technology officer of Luminar, a tech company at the forefront of developing self-driving vehicles that has partnered with Volvo, Nissan and Toyota.

Optics and Photonics News


Research
Research in 60 Seconds: Making Lasers Faster and More Efficient
Pegasus Professor Peter Delfyett’s research examines replacing thousands of individual lasers that power technologies — such as  cellphones and computers — with a more powerful,…
Science & Technology
UCF Alum Among Distinguished Researchers to Be Inducted into National Academy of Inventors
The honor is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors, and recognizes their significant contributions to science, society and consumer technologies.
Science & Technology
Stories of Innovation, Discovery Highlight UCF Research Top 10 News List of 2023
The annual top 10 research news list is based on UCF Today page views and coverage UCF research received by global, national, state and local…

out of state college student taking classes on a laptop

Ready to Pursue Your Potential?

Take the next step toward becoming a Knight and save your spot at UCF.

out-of-state student taking classes at UCF

University of Central Florida Colleges