Skip to main content

Program at a Glance

Program
Master
College(s)
College of Optics and Photonics
Department(s)
Optics and Photonics
U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges - Most Innovative 2024
The Master of Science in Optics and Photonics program is intended for students with a bachelor's degree in optics, electrical engineering, physics, or closely related fields. The program is interdisciplinary and combines optical science and engineering.

The College of Optics and Photonics offers an interdisciplinary graduate program in optical science and engineering leading to a Master of Science in Optics and Photonics. The college has grown rapidly and now has 55 faculty members and faculty with joint appointments, 41 research scientists and 148 graduate students with research activities covering all aspects of optics, photonics, and lasers. Research expenditures are over $10 million annually, with over 20 percent of the funding coming from industrial partners, illustrating the effectiveness of the commitment to partnerships that is a foundational value of the COP.

Research activities cover all aspects of optics, photonics, and lasers, and 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, photonic information processing, 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, and light matter interaction.

The MS program is intended for students with 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

Please note: Optics and Photonics MS may 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.

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. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit UCF Global. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at 407-823-2337.

UCF is not authorized to provide online courses or instruction to students in some states. Refer to State Restrictions for current information.

Application Deadlines

Spring
December 1
Summer
April 1
Fall
July 1
Spring
July 1
Summer
November 1
Fall
January 15

Ready to get started?


University of Central Florida Colleges