Degree Requirements
The MS degree offers 3 options: the Photonics concentration, the Optics concentration, and the general Optics and Photonics degree. All options require 30 graduate credit hours as described in the table below. Detailed requirements are given in the Graduate Catalog.
With a fully online option now available, our M.S. in Optics and Photonics is a flexible degree designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, mechanical engineering or related fields. Taught by world-renowned experts at UCF’s College of Optics and Photonics, the program offers students an in-depth curriculum that covers topics including electromagnetics, physical optics, lasers, optoelectronics, fiber optics, imaging, and more.
Accelerated Program
The MS degree can be completed in 12 months by pursuing an accelerated schedule that involves taking 12 credit hours (4 courses) in fall, 12 in spring and 6 (two courses) in summer. Due to the accelerated schedule, it is recommended that students carry out a 3-credit hour research report in lieu of a thesis. Students must complete the same program requirements as listed for the Masters and/or concentration programs.
Graduate Catalog
The Current Graduate Catalog contains all degree requirements and university policies regarding graduate education.
See Previous Years Graduate Catalogs.
MS Handbook
The MS handbook provides most details that students need to know to create their program of study and complete all requirements for the MS degree. If you do not find what you need in the handbook, please contact:
Office of Academic Programs
Tel: 407-823-6986
Email: gradprog@creol.ucf.edu
Optics and Photonics - General Concentration
The Optics and Photonics MS program (General Concentration) requires a minimum of 30 credit hours. The program offers a thesis, nonthesis, and optional research report. 18 credit hours must be formal optics (OSE prefix) courses.
For nonthesis options, an oral master’s comprehensive examination based on the core courses (OSE 5115 Interference, Diffraction & Coherence OR OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics, OSE 6111 Optical Wave Propagation, and OSE 5525 Laser Engineering OR OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers) 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 all required courses. However, students are advised to take the exam within one semester after completing the two core courses.
Core Courses: 9 Credit Hours
- OSE 5115 – Interference & Diffraction OR OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics
- OSE 6111 – Optical Wave Propagation
- OSE 5525 – Laser Engineering OR OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers
Elective Courses: 15 Credit Hours
A listing and description of courses offered by the College of Optics and Photonics is found in the Courses section.
Other courses with significant optics content may be accepted towards the Optics (OSE) course work requirement, upon approval by the Associate Dean.
Thesis Research Hours: 6 Credit Hours
- OSE 6971 – Master’s Thesis
An approved thesis committee must be on file PRIOR to enrolling in thesis hours.
Core Courses: 9 Credit Hours
- OSE 5115 – Interference & Diffraction OR OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics
- OSE 6111 – Optical Wave Propagation
- OSE 5525 – Laser Engineering OR OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers
Elective Courses: 21 Credit Hours
Optional: Students may choose to do a research report which will reduce the elective hours by 3 hours
- OSE 6909-Research Report
An approved research report committee must be on file PRIOR to enrolling in research report hours.
A listing and description of courses offered by the College of Optics and Photonics is found in the Courses section.
Other courses with significant optics content may be accepted towards the Optics (OSE) course work requirement, upon approval by the Associate Dean.
Optics & Photonics - Optics Concentration
The Optics and Photonics MS program – Optics Concentration requires a minimum of 30 credit hours. This concentration offers a nonthesis, thesis, and optional research report option. 18 credit hours must be formal optics (OSE prefix) courses.
For non-thesis options, an oral master’s comprehensive examination based on the core courses (OSE 5115 Interference, Diffraction & Coherence OR OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics, OSE 6111 Optical Wave Propagation, and OSE 5525 Laser Engineering OR OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers) 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 all required courses. However, students are advised to take the exam within one semester after completing the two core courses.
Core Courses: 18 Credit Hours
- OSE 5115 – Interference & Diffraction OR OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics
- OSE 6111 – Optical Wave Propagation
- OSE 5525 – Laser Engineering OR OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers
- OSE 5203 – Geometric Optics & Imaging Systems
- OSE 6211 – Imaging & Optical Systems
- OSE 6265 – Optical Systems Design
Elective Courses: 6 Credit Hours
A listing and description of courses offered by the College of Optics and Photonics is found in the Courses section.
Other courses with significant optics content may be accepted towards the Optics (OSE) course work requirement, upon approval by the Associate Dean.
Thesis Research Hours: 6 Credit Hours
- OSE 6971 – Master’s Thesis
An approved thesis committee must be on file PRIOR to enrolling in thesis hours.
Core Courses: 18 Credit Hours
- OSE 5115 – Interference & Diffraction OR OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics
- OSE 6111 – Optical Wave Propagation
- OSE 5525 – Laser Engineering OR OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers
- OSE 5203 – Geometric Optics & Imaging Systems
- OSE 6211 – Imaging & Optical Systems
- OSE 6265 – Optical Systems Design
Elective Courses: 12 Credit Hours
A listing and description of courses offered by the College of Optics and Photonics is found in the Courses section.
Other courses with significant optics content may be accepted towards the Optics (OSE) course work requirement, upon approval by the Associate Dean.
Optional: Students may choose to do a research report which will reduce the elective hours by 3 hours
- OSE 6909-Research Report
An approved research report committee must be on file PRIOR to enrolling in research report hours.
Optics & Photonics - Photonics Concentration
The Optics and Photonics MS program-Photonics Concentration requires a minimum of 30 credit hours. This concentration offers a nonthesis, thesis, and optional research report option. 18 credit hours must be formal optics (OSE prefix) courses.
For non-thesis options, an oral master’s comprehensive examination based on the core courses (OSE 5115 Interference, Diffraction & Coherence OR OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics, OSE 6111 Optical Wave Propagation, and OSE 5525 Laser Engineering OR OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers) 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 all required courses. However, students are advised to take the exam within one semester after completing the two core courses.
Core Courses: 18 Credit Hours
- OSE 5115 – Interference & Diffraction OR OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics
- OSE 6111 – Optical Wave Propagation
- OSE 5525 – Laser Engineering OR OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers
- OSE 5414 – Fundamentals of Optoelectronic Devices
- OSE 6474 – Optical Communication Systems
- OSE 6421 – Integrated Photonics
Elective Courses: 6 Credit Hours
A listing and description of courses offered by the College of Optics and Photonics is found in the Courses section.
Other courses with significant optics content may be accepted towards the Optics (OSE) course work requirement, upon approval by the Associate Dean.
Thesis Research Hours: 6 Credit Hours
- OSE 6971 – Master’s Thesis
An approved thesis committee must be on file PRIOR to enrolling in thesis hours.
Core Courses: 18 Credit Hours
- OSE 5115 – Interference & Diffraction OR OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics
- OSE 6111 – Optical Wave Propagation
- OSE 5525 – Laser Engineering OR OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers
- OSE 5414 – Fundamentals of Optoelectronic Devices
- OSE 6474 – Optical Communication Systems
- OSE 6421 – Integrated Photonics
Elective Courses: 12 Credit Hours
A listing and description of courses offered by the College of Optics and Photonics is found in the Courses section.
Other courses with significant optics content may be accepted towards the Optics (OSE) course work requirement, upon approval by the Associate Dean.
Optional: Students may choose to do a research report which will reduce the elective hours by 3 hours
- OSE 6909 – Research Report
An approved research report committee must be on file PRIOR to enrolling in research report hours.
Optics & Photonics Master's Program Requirements
| General Concentration | Optics Concentration | Photonics Concentration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Courses |
OSE 6111 Optical Wave Propagation OSE 5115 Interference & Diffraction OR OSE 5041 Introduction to Wave Optics OSE 5525 Laser Engineering OR OSE 6536 Semiconductor Lasers |
||
| Concentration Courses | None Required | OSE 5203 Geometrical Optics OSE 6211 Imaging & Optical Systems OSE 6265 Optical Systems Design | OSE 5414 Fundamentals of Optoelectronic Devices OSE 6474 Fundamentals of Optical Fiber Communications OSE 6421 Integrated Photonics |
| Electives | Nonthesis - 21 hours Thesis - 15 hours Research Report - 18 hours | Nonthesis - 12 hoursThesis - 6 hours Research Report - 9 hours |
Nonthesis - 12 hours Thesis - 6 hours Research Report - 9 hours |
| A listing and description of courses offered by the College of Optics and Photonics is found in the Courses section. | |||