Program Overview

Optics and Photonics (PhD)

The Optics and Photonics PhD program provides the highest-quality education in optical science and engineering, allowing students to conduct scholarly, fundamental, and applied research, while aiding in the development of Florida's and the nation's technology-based industries.

Program at a Glance

• Program: Doctorate
• College: College of Optics and Photonics
• Department: Optics and Photonics
• Tuition:
  • In State: $369.65 per credit hour
  • Out of State: $1,276.48 per credit hour

Program Description

Research activities cover all aspects of optics, photonics, and lasers, and the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL), the Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE), and the Townes Laser Institute (TLI) are integral parts of the College of Optics and Photonics. Current research areas include:

• Linear and nonlinear guided-wave optics and devices
• High speed photonic telecommunications
• Fiber optic fabrication
• Fiber optic communications
• Solid state laser development
• Nonlinear optics
• Laser-induced damage
• Quantum-well optoelectronics
• Quantum optics
• Photonic information processing
• Infrared systems
• Optical diagnostics
• Optical system design
• Image analysis
• Virtual reality
• Medical imaging
• Diffractive optics
• Optical crystal growth and characterization
• High intensity lasers
• X-ray optics
• EUV sources
• Optical glasses
• Laser materials processing
• Free-electron lasers
• Light matter interaction

Program Prerequisites

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Optics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or closely related discipline.
• Students with degrees in related fields may be required to take undergraduate articulation courses determined by the program director on a case-by-case basis.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

• Total Credits: 21
• Core Courses:
  • OSE6111 - Optical Wave Propagation (3)
  • OSE6115 - Interference and Diffraction (3)
  • OSE5312 - Light Matter Interaction (3)
  • OSE6211 - Imaging and Optical Systems (3)
  • OSE6474 - Fundamentals Optical Fiber Communications (3)
• Elective Courses:
  • OSE5525 - Laser Engineering (3)
  • OSE6536 - Semiconductor Lasers (3)
• Research Methods/Laboratory Courses:
  • OSE6455C - Photonics Laboratory (3)
  • OSE6526C - Laser Engineering Laboratory (3)
  • OSE6615L - Optoelectronic Device Fabrication Laboratory (3)

Elective Courses

• Total Credits: 36
• Restricted Electives: Earn at least 9 credits from approved Optics (OSE) courses.
• Unrestricted Electives: Earn at least 27 credits from a combination of formal course work and research hours.

Dissertation

• Total Credits: 15
• OSE7980 - Dissertation (1 - 99)

Qualifying Examination

• The qualifying examination is an oral exam that focuses on the fundamental concepts and topics covered in the core courses.
• The exam is waived for students earning an average GPA of 3.5 or higher in the four core courses.

Candidacy Examination

• The candidacy exam is comprised of written and oral portions.
• The exam is administered by the members of the student's dissertation advisory committee.

Admission to Candidacy

• Completion of most course work, except for dissertation hours.
• Successful completion of the candidacy examination.
• The dissertation advisory committee is formed.

Dissertation Proposal and Defense

• Approximately one year after passing the general candidacy examination, the student will write a dissertation proposal and present it to their dissertation advisory committee for approval.
• The dissertation advisory committee administers the dissertation oral defense examination.

Independent Learning

• The dissertation satisfies the independent learning experience.

Grand Total Credits

• Total Credits: 72

Application Requirements

No specific application requirements are listed.

Application Deadlines

• Domestic:
  • Spring: December 1
  • Summer: April 1
  • Fall: July 1
• International:
  • Spring: July 1
  • Summer: November 1
  • Fall: December 1

Financial Information

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies.