Optical Science and Engineering

M.S. in Optical Science and Engineering

Current research areas: Advanced materials, atom optics, biomedical optics, fiber optics, laser physics, lithography, nanostructures, nonlinear optics, optical imaging, optical sensors, optoelectronics, photonic integrated circuits, quantum optics, spectroscopy, and ultrafast phenomena.

The Optical Science and Engineering (OSE) Program is jointly administered by the Department of Physics & Astronomy (PandA) and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE). This program features an internship option under which a student can apply qualified industrial/government laboratory research along with successfully completed course work toward the degree. Under Plan I (thesis based), a minimum of 24 hours of course work and 6 hours of thesis credit is required. Under Plan II-a (non-thesis, course-based), a minimum of 33 hours of course work, including 3 hours of research seminar (PHYC 500/501), at least 2 of which must be in Optics – or individual research/problems (PHYC 552/650, or ECE 551/651) is required. Under Plan II-b (internship-based), a minimum of 33 hours of course work - including 3-6 hours of internship (PHYC/ECE 559) - is required. Successful completion of an oral M.S. comprehensive examination is required under Plans II-a and II-b.

Under all plans, the graduate course work offered for the degree must include PHYC/ECE 463, PHYC/ECE 464, PHYC 476L or 477L, PHYC 511/ECE 561, and PHYC/ECE 554. All details must be discussed with a graduate advisor each semester. More information, including possible choices of elective courses, is available online: http://www.optics.unm.edu.

Ph.D. in Optical Science and Engineering

Current research areas: Ultrafast optics and photonics, laser physics and engineering, optical imaging, quantum optics, optoelectronic devices, fiber lasers and amplifiers, optical communication, optical materials, optical lithography, nonlinear optics, integrated optics, quantum computing, bio-optics, nano-photonics, and laser cooling.

An extensive selection of optics courses is available to the student considering graduate studies in Optical Science and Engineering. Considerable interaction occurs with the Center for High Technology Materials and the optical research groups at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory and other organizations in Albuquerque. These facilities offer extensive opportunities for research work toward both the M.S. and the Ph.D. degrees.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Optical Science and Engineering requires a minimum of 52 semester hours of graduate work, exclusive of dissertation. These hours must include PHYC/ECE 463, 464, 554, 568, PHYC 466/MATH 466, PHYC 511/ECE 561, PHYC 476L or 477L, PHYC 521/ECE 572, as well as three semesters of PHYC 500/501 (Advanced Seminar), one of which must be concerned with optics. Also the student must choose one of PHYC 467, 522, 529, 531, 564, 566, 569, ECE 564, 565, 572, 577. Details must be discussed with a graduate advisor each semester.

More information about the Optical Science and Engineering Program is available online: http://www.optics.unm.edu

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