The Optics Track in 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.
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 http://global.ucf.edu/. 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.
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 Core Courses
18 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Take the following:
- OSE5115 - Interference and Diffraction (3)
- OSE5203 - Geometrical Optics (3)
- OSE6111 - Optical Wave Propagation (3)
- OSE6211 - Imaging and Optical Systems (3)
- OSE6265 - Optical Systems Design (3)
- OSE5525 - Laser Engineering (3)
- OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers may be used as a substitute for OSE 5525 Laser Engineering
Elective Courses
6 Total Credits
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: All students are required to take a minimum of 6 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 plan of study and form a thesis committee upon completion of 9 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 courses or electives. Up to 3 credit hours of Research Report (OSE 6909) may be included. For students in a nonthesis option, a Research Report may be completed in the last term of study. The Optics or Photonics master's tracks require a research report in the nonthesis option, but this is optional in the general MS degree. The research report is a written report on a subject based on research completed under the guidance of a faculty adviser who is a member of the graduate faculty in the College of Optics and Photonics. The subject matter will be determined by the adviser and should be on some aspect of experimental, theoretical, or literature research in the area of optics and photonics. Normally, the research and report should be completed within one semester. The written report should contain between 5,000 and 10,000 words and should roughly follow the format of a scientific journal paper. The report will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the adviser and two other faculty members. The student will be expected to present a brief oral presentation of the work to the committee, not less than 5 business days after submitting the written report to the committee and prior to the last day of classes in the semester. The report will be graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis by the adviser, based on the input from the committee. Students must select an adviser from the College of Optics and Photonics faculty to serve on their Research Report. Students must prepare an approved plan of study upon completion of 9 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.
Comprehensive Examination
0 Total Credits
- An oral master's comprehensive examination, based on the core courses (OSE 5115 Interference, Diffraction and Coherence, OSE 6111 Optical Wave Propagation, and OSE 5525 Laser Engineering or OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers may be used as a substitute for OSE 5525 Laser Engineering) must be passed as a graduation requirement for the MS degree in Optics and Photonics. Students will be required to take this exam within one semester after completing the core courses. The exam may be taken twice. After failing on the second attempt, the student will be required to re-take the courses covering the areas in which the examination committee determined the student to be deficient. The retaken courses must be passed with a minimum grade of B+ in order for the student to graduate. This Comprehensive Examination requirement may be satisfied by passing the Optics and Photonics Ph.D. Qualifying exam.
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.
- The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
- Personal Statement: a brief, 1 page or less 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.
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.
