OPTIMS - Optical Sciences
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Minimum Credit Units
35
Core Coursework Requirements
Coursework
AMP students must follow the M.S. program requirements for the non-thesis, Master’s Report option. Students must complete a minimum of 32-35 units (depending on track selected - see below) of graduate optics or optics-related courses. There is no core curriculum for the M.S. Optics degree, and students in conjunction with their faculty advisor(s) are allowed considerable freedom in planning their study programs.
Students following the Optical Sciences AMP have the following additional academic rules applied to their study:
Students may not include OPTI 599 – Independent Study for units counted both for the B.S. and M.S.
For the technical elective in Semester 8, the course may be outside of the College of Optical Sciences (i.e., OPTI) if approved through a petition to the College’s Associate Dean for Academic Programs.
Laboratory Requirements
AMP students must complete one additional laboratory course from the current approved list:
course: Fundamentals of Applied Optics Laboratory (1)
course: Fundamentals of Physical Optics Laboratory (1)
course: Lasers and Solid-State Devices Laboratory (1)
course: Mathematical Optics Laboratory (1)
course: Optical Testing Laboratory (1)
course: Optical Systems Engineering (4)
course: Computational Optics: Light-Matter Interactions (1)
course: System Programming for Engineers (2)
course: Optical Physics Computational Lab (1)
course: Polarization in Optical Design Lab (1)
course: Photonic Communications Laboratory (1)
course: Optical Shop Practices (3)
Total units of coursework required (including required labs) for completion of the M.S. varies, according to the track selected:
Thesis Track: Total 32 units (24 units coursework + 8 units course: Thesis), with thesis defense and submission to the Graduate College. Limit of 4 units non-technical coursework.
Master's Report Track: Total 35 units (32 units coursework + 3 units course: Master's Report, with report defense and submission of report to College of Optical Science). Limit of 6 units of non-technical coursework.
Technical Writing Track: Total 35 units of coursework, with a final oral exam over coursework. Limit of 6 units of non-technical coursework. Students pursuing a Technical Writing track must complete one of the following technical writing course options:
course: Technical Writing and Communication (3)
course: Introduction to Display Science and Technology (3)
course: Illumination Engineering (3)
course: Device Design in the Health Sciences: Developing Tools for Healthcare Solutions Using Design Thinking (3)
course: Scientific Writing, Presentation and Bioethics (2)
Elective Coursework
Pending update
Additional Requirements
Pending update
Minimum Credit Units
32
Core Coursework Requirements
Coursework
Thesis Option
With the thesis option of the M.S. in Optical Sciences degree program, the student must complete a minimum of 32 units in optics or optics-related courses, including eight units of course: Thesis and at least two units of optics laboratory courses. Most graduate courses are three units, so a typical student would take eight or nine academic courses and enroll for an additional eight units of thesis credit.
Please note that course: Technical Writing and Communication does not count toward fulfilling the units required for the M.S. in Optical Sciences thesis.
For students who select the thesis option of the M.S. in Optical Sciences degree, the final examination is an oral exam based primarily on the content of the thesis.
Nonthesis Option
A minimum of 35 units of University of Arizona graduate credit in optics or optics-related courses is required for the nonthesis option of the M.S. in Optical Sciences degree, including at least two units of optics laboratory courses. Up to seven units of credit for appropriate graduate courses may be transferred from other universities with approval from the college.
The student must demonstrate competence in written communication by successfully completing an appropriate graduate course in technical writing or by writing an acceptable master's report in course, for which three units of credit are received. course: Technical Writing and Communication and course: Scientific Writing Strategies, Skills and Ethics may satisfy the nonthesis option in lieu of the master's report.
course: Independent Study units must meet Graduate College policy, and they must be approved by the associate dean for academic programs. Generally, three units are approved.
For those selecting the nonthesis option of the M.S. in Optical Sciences, the final oral examination is based primarily on course subject matter. However, by mutual agreement between the student and the examination committee, the student's master's report can serve as the focus of the exam.
Laboratory Requirements
All students must include at least two introductory optics laboratory courses as part of their plan. These classes should provide hands-on experiences to help the students learn the fundamentals that are taught in the core lecture classes. While two lab courses are required, additional laboratory courses are strongly recommended. Some students may qualify to have one lab requirement waived by the associate dean for academic programs. Waiver of a lab requirement does not reduce the overall total number of units required for the degree. The classes currently offered that satisfy this laboratory requirement are:
course: Fundamentals of Applied Optics Laboratory (1)
course: Fundamentals of Physical Optics Laboratory (1)
course: Lasers and Solid-State Devices Laboratory (1)
course: Mathematical Optics Laboratory (1)
course: Optical Testing Laboratory (1)
course: Optical Specifications, Fabrication and Testing Laboratory (1)
course: Introductory Optomechanical Engineering Laboratory* (1)
course: Optical Systems Engineering (4)
course: System Programming for Engineers (2)
course: Optical Physics Computational Lab (1)
course: Polarization in Optical Design Lab (1)
course: Photonic Communications Laboratory (1)
course: Diffractive Optical Elements: Fabrication and Testing (1)
Elective Coursework
Pending update
Additional Requirements
Pending update
Minimum Credit Units
32
Core Coursework Requirements
M.S. - Optomechanical Engineering Subplan Coursework Requirement
The MS in Optical Sciences – Optomechanical Engineering subplan differs from our Optical Sciences MS program in that it includes 12 units of required core courses:
course: Optical Design & Instrumentation I (3)
course: Introductory Optomechanical Engineering (3)
course: Optomechanical Design & Analysis (3)
course: Planar Multi-body Dynamics with Applications (3)
DESIGN COURSES - 5 UNITS REQUIRED, ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
course: Lens Design (4)
course: Illumination Engineering (3)
course: Polarization in Optical Design (3)
course: Introduction to Display Science and Technology (3)
course: Astronomical Instrumentation (2)
The Optomechanical Engineering subplan, like the Optical Sciences MS, can be completed with a Thesis, MS Report, or as a Technical Writing track. Total units of coursework required (including required labs) for completion of the M.S. varies, according to the track selected:
Thesis Track: Total 32 units (24 units coursework + 8 units course: Thesis), with thesis defense and submission to the Graduate College. Limit of 4 units non-technical coursework.
Master's Report Track: Total 35 units (32 units coursework + 3 units course: Master's Report, with report defense and submission of report to College of Optical Science. Limit of 6 units of non-technical coursework.
Technical Writing Track: Total 35 units of coursework, with a final oral exam over coursework. Limit of 6 units of non-technical coursework. Students pursuing a Technical Writing track must complete one of the following technical writing course options:
course: Technical Writing and Communication (3)
course: Introduction to Display Science and Technology (3)
course: Illumination Engineering (3)
course: Device Design in the Health Sciences: Developing Tools for Healthcare Solutions Using Design Thinking (3)
course: Scientific Writing, Presentation and Bioethics (2)
Elective Coursework
Select 7 units for Thesis track or 15 units for Master's Report/Technical Writing track. Any Design Course units beyond 5 will count towards elective units.
Elective Lab Courses - At least 2 electives must be lab courses. One lab can be waived if either course: Lens Design is taken as a Design Course, or for relevant industry experience (with approval by Assoc. Dean).
course: Fundamentals of Applied Optics Laboratory (1)
course: Optical Testing Laboratory (1)
course: Optical Systems Engineering (4)
course: System Programming for Engineers (2)
course: Optical Shop Practices (3)
course: Optical Specifications, Fabrication, and Testing Laboratory (1)
course: Introductory Optomechanical Engineering Laboratory (1)
course: Optomechanical Engineering Laboratory (2)
Other Optical Sciences Elective Courses:
course: Optical Design and Instrumentation II (3)
course: Diffraction and Interferometry (3)
course: Linear Systems, Fourier Transforms (3)
course: Optical Testing (3)
course: Introduction to Aberrations (3)
course / course: Assessing Early Stage Medical Technologies for Commercial Potential (2)
course: Practical Optical System Design (3)
course: Micro/Nano-Fabrication in Optoelectronics (2)
course: Advanced Lens Design (2)
course: Adaptive Optics and Imaging through Random Media (3)
Other Non-Optical Sciences Pre-Approved Elective Courses:
course: Advanced Dynamics (3)
course: Computation Multi-Body Dynamics (3)
course: Advanced Vibration (3)
course: Finite Element Methods (3)
course: Composite Materials (3)
course: Design Optimization (3)
course / course: Micro and Nano Transducer Physics & Design (3)
course / course: Fabrication Techniques for Micro-& Nano-devices (3)
course: Sensors and Controls (3)
course / course: Measurement and Data Analysis in Biomedical Engineering (3)
course: Biophotonics (3)
course: Biomedical Engineering (3)
course: Nanoscience & Nanotechnology for Biomedical Engineering (3)
course: Introduction to Polymeric Materials (3)
course / course: Microelectronics Manufacturing and the Environment (3)
course: Digital Signal Processing (3)
course: Digital Image Analysis (3)
course: Digital Image Processing (3)
course: Digital Control Systems (3)
course: Optoelectronics (3)
course: Elasticity Theory and Application (3)
course: Advanced Structural Dynamics (3)
course: Quality Engineering (3)
course: Human-Machine Interaction (3)
course: Law for Engineers/Scientists (3)
course: Technical Sales & Marketing (3)
course: Systems Engineering Process (3)
course: Sensor Systems Engineering (3)
course: Fundamentals of Guidance for Aerospace Systems (3)
course: Project Management (3)
course: Model-Based Systems Engineering (3)
course: Integrated Logistics and Distribution Systems (3)
course: Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Systems (3)
Additional Requirements
Pending update
Minimum Credit Units
32
Core Coursework Requirements
Core Courses - 12 Units
course: Quantum Mechanics (3)
course: Foundations of Quantum Optics (3)
course: Introduction to Quantum Information and Computation (3)
course: Quantum Nanophotonics (3)
The MS in Optical Sciences – QISE subplan can be completed with the completion of a Master's Thesis or Master's Report. Total units of coursework required (including required labs) for completion of the MS are as follows:
Master's Thesis Track: Total 32 units (26 units coursework + 6 units course: Thesis), with thesis defense and submission of final approved thesis to the Graduate College.
Master's Report Track: Total 32 units (29 units coursework + 3 units course: Master's Report), with report defense and submission of final MS report to College of Optical Science.
Elective Coursework
11 - 14 Units Required. Thesis students must complete 11 units of elective courses, including a minimum of 2 units of lab courses. Master’s Report students must complete 14 units of elective courses, including a minimum of 2 units of lab courses. Approved elective courses include:
course: Electromagnetic Waves (3)
course: Solid State Optics (3)
course: Probability and Statistics in Optics (3)
course: Statistical Optics (3)
course: Photonics (3)
course: Optical Physics and Lasers (3)
course: From Photonics Innovation to Marketplace (3)
course: Nonlinear Photonics (3)
course: Information in a Photon (3)
course: Laser Beams and Resonators (1)
course: Cavity Optomechanics I (1)
course: Cavity Optomechanics II (1)
course: Photonic Quantum Information Processing (3)
course: Advanced Linear Systems Theory (3)
course: Probability and Random Processes (3)
course: Advanced Topics in Optical and Electronic Materials (3)
course: Digital Communications Systems I (3)
course: Free-space Optical Communication Systems (3)
course: Digital Communications Systems II (3)
course: Fundamentals of Information and Network Security (3)
course: Quantum Information Processing and Quantum Error Correction (3)
course: Error Correction (3)
course: Detection and Estimation in Engineering Systems (3)
course: Ethical Issues in Information (3)
course: Special topics in the Law (3)
Elective Lab Courses - Select a minimum of 2 courses. One lab can be waived for relevant industry experience (with approval by Assoc. Dean):
course: Lasers and Solid-State Devices Lab (1)
course: Photonics Communications Lab (1)
course: Optical Physics Computational Lab (1)
Additional Requirements
Additional course units may include any technical OPTI course not listed above (up to 3 units allowed) or an course: Independent Study enrollment (up to 3 units allowed).
32
M.S. Coursework Requirement
Outside of the lab requirement and limits on non-technical units permitted (see below), there is no set core curriculum for the Optical Sciences M.S. program. Students may choose graduate level courses that suit their interests from Optical Sciences, as well as other relevant programs. At least 50% of courses completed by a student toward an M.S. in Optical Sciences must be Optical Sciences courses. Full descriptions of all graduate courses offered by Optical Sciences are available at http://www.optics.arizona.edu/academics/courses.
Total units of coursework required (including required labs) for completion of the M.S. varies, according to the track selected (Thesis, Master's Report or Technical Writing):
Thesis Track: Total 32 units (24 units coursework + 8 units course: Thesis), with thesis defense and submission to the Graduate College. Limit of 4 units non-technical coursework.
Master's Report Track: Total 35 units (32 units coursework + 3 units course: Master's Report, with report defense and submission of report to College of Optical Science. Limit of 6 units of non-technical coursework.
Technical Writing Track: Total 35 units of coursework, with a final oral exam over coursework. Limit of 6 units of non-technical coursework. Students pursuing a Technical Writing track must complete one of the following technical writing course options:
course: Technical Writing and Communication (3)
course: Introduction to Display Science and Technology (3)
course: Illumination Engineering (3)
course: Device Design in the Health Sciences: Developing Tools for Healthcare Solutions Using Design Thinking (3)
course: Scientific Writing, Presentation and Bioethics (2)
Lab Requirement
All M.S. students must complete 2 lab courses. However, 1 of the 2 required labs may be waived by submitting a Lab Waiver Request. Waiver of a lab requirement does not reduce the overall total number of units required for the degree. Lab waivers may be granted to students who can demonstrate that they have previous or current equivalent hands-on laboratory experience, for example:
Lab experience through work experience (requires verification from the student’s supervisor).
Lab experience as an undergraduate University of Arizona Optical Sciences major.
Classes that satisfy the laboratory requirement include:
course: Fundamentals of Applied Optics Laboratory (1)
course: Fundamentals of Physical Optics Laboratory (1)
course: Lasers and Solid-State Devices Laboratory (1)
course: Mathematical Optics Laboratory (1)
course: Optical Testing Laboratory (1)
course: Optical Systems Engineering (4)
course: Computational Optics: Light-Matter Interactions (1)
course: System Programming for Engineers (2)
course: Optical Physics Computational Lab (1)
course: Polarization in Optical Design Lab (1)
course: Photonic Communications Laboratory (1)
course: Optical Shop Practices (3)
Non-Technical Course Limits
4 units of non-technical courses can be counted toward a M.S. Thesis Plan of Study. 6 units of non-technical courses can be counted toward the Master's Report and Technical Writing Plans of Study. Non-technical courses include:
course: Independent Study (1-5) - Independent Study contracts must meet Graduate College policy, and must be approved by the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. Generally, a maximum of 3 units of course can be approved toward an M.S. Plan of Study.
course: Technical Writing and Communication (3) - Enrollment is required for the Technical Writing track. However, course may satisfy this requirement as well.
course: Current Subjects in Optical Sciences (1)
course: Optics Outreach (1)
Pending update
Pending update
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.