The request to revise the Ph.D. and M.S. in Optical Science and Engineering

Ph.D. in Optical Science and Engineering

Programs of Study

The M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Optical Science and Engineering is interdisciplinary, involving primarily five science and engineering departments and two centers (Departments of Physics & Optical Science, Chemistry, Mathematics & Statistics, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering & Engineering Science; the Center for Optoelectronics & Optical Communications; and the Center for Precision Metrology).  The program is administered through the Department of Physics and Optical Science.  The purpose of the program is to educate scientists and engineers who will develop the next generation of optical technology.  The program emphasizes basic and applied interdisciplinary education and research in the following specialties of optics:

·       Micro-optics and nanophotonics

·       Fiber and integrated optics

·       Optoelectronic materials and devices

·       Biomedical optics

·       Optical interferometry and metrology

·       Optical fabrication

·       Nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy

·       Adaptive optics

·       Optical communication

·       Novel light-matter interactions

·       Quantum optics

·       Optical sensors and measurements

A complete description of the research activity within the Optical Science and Engineering program can be accessed online.

Documents to be Submitted for M.S or Ph.D. Admission

·    UNC Charlotte online application for graduate admission.

·    Official GRE scores.

·    Official TOEFL or IELTS score from international applicants whose native language is not English, unless the previous college degree was from a country where English is

the official language.

·    Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be uploaded to the application. (Applicants offered admission will be required to submit official transcripts.)

·    A minimum of three letters of reference.

·    A Statement of Purpose essay detailing the applicant’s motivation and career goals.

Additional Admission Requirements

All applicants seeking admission into the Optical Science and Engineering Ph.D. program must fulfill the university’s general requirements for graduate admission at the Ph.D. level. Additional requirements for admission into the program are:

·    A baccalaureate or master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering,

Optics, or a related field with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.2 (A

= 4.0) in the major. In the case a candidate presents a master’s degree at application, a minimum graduate GPA of 3.2 (A = 4.0) on all graduate work is required.

·    A minimum combined score of 1100 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE General Test (tests taken prior to August 1, 2011).  A minimum combined score of 301 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE revised General Test (tests taken on or after August 1, 2011).

·    Positive letters of recommendation.

·    Students may be required to take undergraduate courses determined by the Interdisciplinary Optics Program Committee on an individual basis.  Such courses will be specified at the time of admission into the program.

Degree Requirements

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Optical Science and Engineering is awarded for completion of scholarly research that advances the knowledge base in the field and is demonstrated by a successful dissertation defense. Additionally, recipients of this degree should demonstrate mastery of relevant subject matter and a potential for success in future research and teaching.

The minimum requirement for the Ph.D. degree in Optical Science and Engineering is 72 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Each candidate for the Ph.D. degree in Optical Science and Engineering must complete the following:

·    Present evidence of competency in the core curriculum by successfully completing 18 of 21 credit hours of core courses with a grade of B or above in each course

·    Complete a minimum of 6 credit hours of elective courses having an OPTI prefix in addition to the core curriculum

·    Complete 1 credit hour of OPTI 8610 Seminar during the fall of the first academic year in the program

·    Complete 1 credit hour of OPTI 8611 Graduate Colloquium during the spring of the first academic year in the program and complete 1 credit hour of OPTI 8611 Graduate Colloquium each subsequent academic year in the program

·    Complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of OPTI 8991 Dissertation Research

M.S. in Optical Science and Engineering

Programs of Study

The M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Optical Science and Engineering is interdisciplinary, involving primarily five science and engineering departments and two centers (Departments of Physics & Optical Science, Chemistry, Mathematics & Statistics, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering & Engineering Science; the Center for Optoelectronics & Optical Communications; and the Center for Precision Metrology).  The program is administered through the  Department of Physics and Optical Science.  The purpose of the program is to

educate scientists and engineers who will develop the next generation of optical technology.  The program emphasizes basic and applied interdisciplinary education and research in the following specialties of optics:

·       Micro-optics and nanophotonics

·       Fiber and integrated optics

·       Optoelectronic materials and devices

·       Biomedical optics

·       Optical interferometry and metrology

·       Optical fabrication

·       Nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy

·       Adaptive optics

·       Optical communication

·       Novel light-matter interactions

·       Quantum optics

·       Optical sensors and measurements

A complete description of the research activity within the Optical Science and Engineering program can be accessed  online.

Documents to be Submitted for M.S or Ph.D. Admission

·    UNC Charlotte online application for graduate admission.

·    Official GRE scores.

·    Official TOEFL or IELTS score from international applicants whose native language is not English, unless the previous college degree was from a country where English is

the official language.

·    Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be uploaded to the application. (Applicants offered admission will be required to submit official transcripts.)

·    A minimum of three letters of reference.

·    A Statement of Purpose essay detailing the applicant’s motivation and career goals.

Additional Admission Requirements

All applicants seeking admission into the M.S. in Optical Science and Engineering program must

fulfill the University’s general requirements for graduate admission at the Master’s

level.  Additional requirements for admission into the program are:

·    A baccalaureate or master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering,

Optics, Computer Science, or a related field with a minimum undergraduate GPA of

3.0 overall and 3.0 (A = 4.0) in the major.

·    A minimum combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE General Test (tests taken prior to August 1, 2011).  A minimum combined score of 293 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE revised General Test (tests taken on or after August 1, 2011).

·    Positive letters of recommendation.

·    Students may be required to take undergraduate courses determined by the Optics Program Committee on an individual basis.  Such courses will be specified at the time of admission into the program.

Degree Requirements for M.S. With Non-Thesis Option

The Master of Science degree with non-thesis option in Optical Science and Engineering is awarded for completion of formal coursework and demonstration of competency in the core curriculum.

The minimum requirement for the M.S. degree with non-thesis option is 32 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Each candidate for the M.S. degree with non-thesis option must complete the following:

·    Present evidence of competency in the core curriculum by successfully completing 15 of 21 credit hours of core courses with a grade of B or above in each course

·    Complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of elective courses in addition to the core curriculum

·    Complete 1 credit hour of OPTI 6610 Seminar during the fall of the first academic year in the program

·    Complete 1 credit hour of OPTI 6611 Graduate Colloquium during the spring of the first academic year in the program

·    Prepare a plan of study detailing how you intend to satisfy the 32 credit hour requirement

Electives must be approved by the academic advisor optics program director and may include courses having a prefix of OPTI, PHYS, ECGR, MEGR, and NANO. Other courses may be considered. M.S. students should enroll in 6000-level courses when possible.

A student in the M.S. program must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all coursework attempted for the degree.  An accumulation of two C grades will result in suspension from the program.  A grade of U earned in any course will result in suspension from the

program.  An accumulation of three C grades or two U grades will result in termination from the program.

Degree Requirements for M.S. With Thesis Option

The Master of Science degree with thesis option in Optical Science and Engineering is awarded for completion of scholarly research that advances the knowledge base in the field and is demonstrated by a successful thesis defense.

The minimum requirement for the M.S. degree with thesis option is 32 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Each candidate for the M.S. degree with thesis option must complete the following:

·    Present evidence of competency in the core curriculum by successfully completing 15 of 21 credit hours of core courses with a grade of B or above in each course

·    Complete a minimum of 6 credit hours of elective courses in addition to the core curriculum

·    Complete 1 credit hour of OPTI 6610 Seminar during the fall of the first academic year in the program

·    Complete 1 credit hour of OPTI 6611 Graduate Colloquium during the spring of the first academic year in the program

·    Complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of OPTI 6991 Thesis Research

·    Select a thesis advisor and form an advisory committee

·    Prepare a plan of study detailing how you intend to satisfy the 32 credit hour requirement

·    Successfully submit an M.S. research proposal

·    Successfully defend the M.S. thesis

Electives must be approved by the academic advisor optics program director and may include courses having a prefix of OPTI, PHYS, ECGR, MEGR, and NANO. Other courses may be considered. M.S. students should enroll in 6000-level courses when possible.

A student in the M.S. program must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all coursework attempted for the degree.  An accumulation of two C grades will result in suspension from the program.  A grade of U earned in any course will result in suspension from the program.  An accumulation of three C grades or two U grades will result in termination from the program.

Core Curriculum

All graduates of the program must demonstrate competency in the core curriculum. Students may do so by completing 15 of the 21 available credit hours of core courses with a grade of B or above in each course. The course makeup of the 15 credits must be approved by the academic advisor or program director. Competency is typically demonstrated by the end of the 3rd semester in the program. With program director approval, students may demonstrate competency by passing a core competency exam. Credit hours that would have been earned if the student had taken the course may be replaced by approved credits.

Core Courses

Fall

OPTI 6101      Mathematical Methods of Optical Science and Engineering (3)

OPTI 6102      Principles of Geometrical Optics (3) OPTI 6102L                        Geometrical Optics Lab (1)

OPTI 6105      Optical Properties of Materials (3)

Spring

OPTI 6103      Light Sources and Detectors (3)

OPTI 6104      Electromagnetic Waves (3) OPTI 6106                        Principles of Physical Optics (3) OPTI 6106L                        Physical Optics Lab (2)

Thesis Advisor and Advisory Committee

Each student in a program of study with the thesis option must have a thesis advisor and an advisory committee. The student should select the advisor before the end of the first year of residency.  The student and advisor determine the advisory committee by agreement. The advisor serves as chair of the committee and must be a member of the Optics Faculty and a regular member of the Graduate Faculty at UNC Charlotte.  The advisory committee must have at least 3 members, one of whom is the chair. All members of the committee must be members of the Graduate Faculty and a majority must be members of the Optics Faculty. Composition of the advisory committee must be approved by the optics program director.

Plan of Study

After successful demonstration of competency in the core curriculum, students should prepare a plan of study which shows in detail how the student will meet the degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the optics program director.

Research Proposal

After successful demonstration of competency in the core curriculum, a student in a program of study that includes the thesis option will prepare a written research proposal. This should be completed within two years following admission to the program. The research proposal, also called the thesis topic proposal, must be approved by the advisory committee. The research proposal demonstrates the student’s knowledge of the relevant literature and the specific research problems and methods of study that, if successfully completed, will lead to an acceptable thesis.