Bachelor's Degree in Engineering - Optical Engineering Concentration

Program Overview

Program Details

Degree

Bachelor of Engineering

School

Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering and Science

Department

Physics

Available

On campus

Program Description

Combine your love of physics and engineering to become an innovator in the next wave of modern optical technologies.

Optics is used in everyday technologies, from the optical fibers that carry all of the information of the internet to the displays, cameras, and optical sensors in modern smartphones, robots, and self-driving vehicles making optical engineering a growing field.

Optical engineering – also known as photonics engineering – is a unique area of study that merges the fields of engineering and physics. The optical engineering concentration at Stevens provides a broad foundation of core engineering skills in foundational subjects ranging from circuits to thermodynamics, coupled with in-depth training in the design of optical instrumentation, lasers, metrology, optical communications technology, and modern photonic devices.

Faculty in the Department of Physics at Stevens have a strong background in optics. As a student, you will learn optical engineering from globally renowned experts – including two fellows of the Optical Society of America and an editor of Optics Letters – and gain hands-on experience in the department’s three state-of-the-art optics teaching labs.

The Stevens Advantage: Hands-On Learning, Real World Experience

At Stevens, you’ll learn to think like an engineer. Our design-focused curriculum features a hands-on course every semester that will instill you with broad, foundational knowledge, the complete fundamentals of engineering, and entrepreneurial thinking.

• The Design Spine: a unique, design-focused, hands-on course every semester that incorporates entrepreneurial thinking and experiential learning, culminating with Senior Design, a team capstone project working on prototypes for real business problems, potentially in collaboration with a real company
• Innovation Expo: an exciting design and entrepreneurship competition where students showcase their senior design prototypes and pitch business ideas
• Engineering Cooperative Education Program: nearly 30% of all engineering students participate in Stevens’ Cooperative Education Program where you get on-the-job experience working for real companies
• State-of-the-Art Research Labs and Facilities: build, tinker and test your designs in Stevens' MakerCenter, Prototype and Object Fabrication Lab, or numerous other research facilities
• Undergraduate Research Opportunities: our research-oriented curriculum gives you in-the-lab experience while you're still an undergraduate student

More Opportunities for Stevens Undergraduate Students

• Internships
• Study Abroad Program
• Flexible minors and double majors
• Accelerated Master's Program: double count undergraduate course credits toward a graduate degree and earn your master's faster – in just five years

An ABET Accredited Program

The Bachelor of Engineering in Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Engineering, General Engineering, Engineering Physics, Engineering Science and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Mission

The Bachelor of Engineering in Engineering program's mission is to provide a broad-based education and depth within a selected concentration to prepare students in technical and scientific fundamentals that will enable them to have a substantial impact in a specific technology area.

Program Educational Objectives

The engineering program has established the following educational objectives:

• Graduates of our program will be recognized by their peers as innovators and leaders in their field by leveraging their strong technical basis to continuously increase their skills and knowledge in their area of expertise.
• Graduates of our program will have a positive impact on their workplace through multidisciplinary collaboration, teamwork and leadership.
• Graduates of our program effectively navigate important contextual factors in their careers, including the historical, regulatory, political, policy, economic, ethical and public relations aspects of problems in various engineering disciplines.

Student Outcomes

By the time of graduation, students in the engineering program will have:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
8. A fundamental knowledge and an appreciation of the technology and business processes necessary to nurture new technologies from concept to commercialization

Enrollment and Graduation Data

Putting You on Track for Professional Success

Optical Engineering Careers

The engineering bachelor's program with a concentration in optical engineering develops in-demand knowledge and skills to put you on track for career success. Not only will you be prepared for careers in optics and photonics, but you'll have the breadth and perspective to understand engineering and technological problems applicable to a variety of disciplines.

The knowledge and skills gained in the optical engineering concentration enables you to pursue careers in the many fields that are heavily reliant on optical technology including aerospace, telecommunications, manufacturing, renewable energy, medicine, and defense, as well as research, entrepreneurship, and public service. Career opportunities as an optical engineer include:

• Optical Communications and Networking
• Optical Instrumentation Design
• Design and Manufacturing of Photonic Devices
• Metrology and Optical Sensor Design
• Laser Design and Engineering
• Biomedical Optics
• Research and Development

A Tech Forward Education

Work with faculty who are actively patenting and publishing ground-breaking work; provide great mentorship support for your ideas; and the best tools for your research.

The Job Market for Physics Degrees

• 59% Private Sector: Employment Sector After Graduation
• 35% Engineering Field: Field Entered Upon Graduation
• 24% Computer Software: Field Entered Upon Graduation
• 4% Physics or Astronomy: Field Entered Upon Graduation

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Undergraduate Programs Facts & Statistics

• Top 15 in the U.S.: Best 20-yr ROI for Graduates, 2023
• 12th in the Nation: Best Career Placement
• 14th in the Nation: for Early/Mid-Career Salary
• #9: for 40-year ROI
• #1 in New Jersey: Best-value Colleges
• 100% Finalized: Outcomes 6 Mos. After Graduation (Dept. Average)
• Top 100 in the U.S.: Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
• #2 in New Jersey: by Salary Potential