NOTE: The Optics and Photonics MS program is not currently accepting applications for the International Track. For additional information, please contact 407-823-6986 or [email protected].
The International track in the Optics and Photonics MS program is intended for those students involved in an international exchange program with particular programs in other countries as approved by the university and the College of Optics and Photonics. The requirements for this track are the same as the general MS program.
Track Prerequisites
A bachelor's degree in Optics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or closely related fields.
Students with degrees in related fields may be required to take undergraduate articulation courses determined by the program director on a case-by-case basis.
Degree Requirements
Required Courses
24 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
Core Courses- Complete all of the following
- Take the following:
- OSE5115 - Interference and Diffraction (3)
- OSE6111 - Optical Wave Propagation (3)
- OSE5525 - Laser Engineering (3)
- The foundation courses are strongly recommended for all students unless they can demonstrate knowledge sufficient to waive the course in which case they will take an additional elective.
Research Methods/Laboratory- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
- OSE6455C - Photonics Laboratory (3)
- OSE6526C - Laser Engineering Laboratory (3)
- OSE6615L - Optoelectronic Device Fabrication Laboratory (3)
- At least 6 credit hours of approved Optics and related science/engineering research methods/laboratory courses are required from the list below. At least one must be in Optics (OSE). One required laboratory may be waived if the student can demonstrate an equivalent hands-on proficiency in that laboratory specialization. These research methods/laboratory courses count toward the formal graduate course work requirement. Other graduate-related science and engineering methodology labs may be taken with approval by the College of Optics and Photonics.
Elective Courses- Earn at least 9 credits from the following types of courses: All students are required to take a minimum of 9 credit hours of electives. Other courses with significant optics content may be accepted toward the Optics (OSE) course work requirement, upon approval by the Associate Dean. A listing and description of courses offered by the College of Optics and Photonics is found in the "Courses" section
Thesis/Nonthesis Option
6 Total Credits
- Complete 1 of the following
Thesis- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following:
- OSE6971 - Special Topics (1 - 99)
- The thesis option requires at least 6 credit hours of thesis research. Independent study and directed research credit hours are not allowed toward the degree requirements. The student must prepare an approved program of study and form a thesis committee upon completion of nine credit hours. The MS thesis committee consists of three members, with at least two regular graduate faculty members from the College of Optics and Photonics. Students are required to write a thesis and pass an oral exam based primarily on the topics of the thesis and course work.
Nonthesis- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: The nonthesis option requires an additional 6 credit hours of electives. Up to 3 credit hours of directed research (OSE 6918) or research report (OSE 6909) may be included with prior approval of the College of Optics and Photonics although they are not counted toward the formal course work requirement. Students must prepare an approved program of study upon completion of nine credit hours. Students are required to pass a final oral comprehensive examination based primarily on the subject matter of the courses taken. The purpose of the exam is for the student to demonstrate his or her basic knowledge of the fundamentals of optics and photonics. The nonthesis master's requires a minimum of two methods/laboratory courses as described above. These laboratory courses involve a substantial amount of independent learning on the part of the student. For example, laboratory reports must include sections on the theoretical and historical background behind the phenomena explored in laboratory experiments, and students are expected to obtain this background information on their own by researching the scientific literature. One required Optics laboratory may be waived if the student can demonstrate an equivalent hands-on proficiency in that laboratory specialization. These methodology/laboratory courses count toward the formal course work requirement.
Grand Total Credits: 30
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- A bachelor's degree in Optics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or closely related fields.
- Personal Statement: a brief, 1-2 page statement about educational, research, and long-term professional career objectives.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Résumé.
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a credential evaluation showing an equivalent bachelor's degree in the U.S. A course-by-course evaluation must be provided, with a GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Students with degrees in related fields may be required to take undergraduate articulation courses determined by the program director on a case-by-case basis.
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
