Physics: Optics and Photonics, MS
Requirements for Students Matriculating in or before Academic Year 2026-2027. Learn more about Graduate College Academic Regulation 7.0.
Thesis Option
Total Hours: 30
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PHYS 5453 | Mathematical Methods for Physicists | 3 |
| PHYS 5613 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| Select 9 hours of Photonics core courses from the following with advisor approval: | 9 | |
| Geometrical Optics | ||
| Lasers | ||
| Physical Optics | ||
| Fundamental Topics (Graduate version of ECEN 4843 Design of Lasers and Systems) | ||
| Fiber-Optic Communication Systems | ||
| Hours Subtotal | 15 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 hours from the two groups of electives with a minimum of one course and a maximum of two from Group I. Courses at the graduate level from other departments may be substituted for electives in Group II with Physics Department permission, but alternate courses must have a strong connection to optics and photonics. | 9 | |
Group I | ||
| Seminar (Graduate version of PHYS 4813 Electromagnetic Radiation) | ||
| Electromagnetic Theory | ||
| Advanced Electromagnetic Radiation | ||
| Electromagnetic Theory | ||
Group II | ||
| Laser Spectroscopy | ||
| Solid State Physics I | ||
| Quantum Mechanics II | ||
| Nonlinear Optics | ||
| Quantum Optics | ||
| Special Topics (Graduate version of ECEN 4823 Design of Optical Systems) | ||
| Microelectronic Fabrication | ||
| Ultrafast Optoelectronics | ||
| Digital Image Processing | ||
| Hours Subtotal | 9 | |
| Thesis/Research | ||
| Select 6 hours (or more) of supervised research with submission of an approved thesis. | ||
| PHYS 5000 | Master's Thesis Research or Report (Or equivalent) | 6 |
| or PHYS 6000 | Doctoral Dissertation Research | |
| Hours Subtotal | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-Thesis Option
Total Hours: 32
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PHYS 5453 | Mathematical Methods for Physicists | 3 |
| PHYS 5613 | Quantum Mechanics I | 3 |
| Select 9 hours of Photonics core courses from the following with advisor approval: | 9 | |
| Geometrical Optics | ||
| Lasers | ||
| Physical Optics | ||
| Fundamental Topics (Graduate version of ECEN 4843 Design of Lasers and Systems) | ||
| Fiber-Optic Communication Systems | ||
| Hours Subtotal | 15 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 9 hours from the two groups of electives with a minimum of one course and a maximum of two from Group I. Courses at the graduate level from other departments may be substituted for electives in Group II with Physics Department permission, but alternate courses must have a strong connection to optics and photonics. | 9 | |
Group I | ||
| Seminar (Graduate version of PHYS 4813 Electromagnetic Radiation) | ||
| Electromagnetic Theory | ||
| Advanced Electromagnetic Radiation | ||
| Electromagnetic Theory | ||
Group II | ||
| Laser Spectroscopy | ||
| Solid State Physics I | ||
| Quantum Mechanics II | ||
| Nonlinear Optics | ||
| Quantum Optics | ||
| Special Topics (Graduate version of ECEN 4823 Design of Optical Systems) | ||
| Microelectronic Fabrication | ||
| Ultrafast Optoelectronics | ||
| Digital Image Processing | ||
| Hours Subtotal | 9 | |
| Additional Electives | ||
| Select 6 hours of advanced courses at the graduate level. | 6 | |
| Hours Subtotal | 6 | |
| Report | ||
| Students must complete a two-credit hour report. | 2 | |
| Hours Subtotal | 2 | |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Graduate College Master's Program Requirements
Learn more about Graduate College 2026-2027 Master’s Degree Program Requirements. Check the General Graduate College academic regulations for minimal GPA, language proficiency and other general requirements.