Program of Study

Prospective students may apply for graduate school at UNCC, check the status of their application, and find more information here. 

The M.S. program in Optical Science and Engineering is interdisciplinary involving six science and engineering departments [Physics & Optical Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering & Engineering Science, and Computer Science], the Center for Optoelectronics & Optical Communications, and the Center for Precision Metrology. The program is administered through the Department of Physics & 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 areas of optics that include:

    Optoelectronic devices and sub-assemblies
    Devices for telecommunications, sensors, and characterization
    Optical materials (semiconductors, polymer-organic and crystalline)
    Optical metrology
    Optical imaging
    Optical communication networks
    
 Applications of this research include:
    Optical telecom and data-com
    High efficiency, tunable narrow bandwidth laser sources and detectors
    Smart structures for distributed sensing
    Wireless technologies for communications and remote sensing
    Materials and surface characterization
    Nanostructured optical devices
    Microelectronics

Program Director

Administration of the Optical Science and Engineering program is the responsibility of the Optics Program Director. Questions relating to program requirements should be directed to the Program Director, Dr. Angela Davies.

Degree Requirements

The degree of Master of Science in Optical Science and Engineering is awarded for completion of scholarly research that advances the knowledge base in the field of that research. Evidence of this is demonstrated by a successful thesis defense. Additionally, recipients of this degree should demonstrate mastery of relevant subject matter and a potential for success, usually in a position with government or industry. The minimum requirement for the M.S. degree in Optical Science and Engineering is 32 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree. Each candidate for the M.S. degree in Optical Science and Engineering must

1. Present evidence of competency in the Core Curriculum
2. Complete 2 semesters (2 credit hours) of Seminar (OPTI 6110)
3. Complete a minimum of 21 credit hours (7 courses) in formal courses which may include the Core Curriculum
4. Complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of thesis research(OPTI6991)
5. Present a Plan of Study detailing all course and examination requirements
6. Present a M.S. Research Plan
7. Successfully defend the M.S. thesis.

Admission to Candidacy

Students are admitted to candidacy upon completion of the Core Curriculum, appointment of a M.S. advisor, formation of an Advisory Committee, presentation of the Plan of Study, and approval of the Research Plan. These steps to candidacy must be completed within two years following admission to the program.

Core Curriculum

All graduates of the program must demonstrate competency in the Core Curriculum. Students may do so by completing the 5 Core Courses with a grade of B or better in each course. Well-prepared students may demonstrate competency in the Core Curriculum by earning a grade of pass on one or more of the five sections of a Core examination. In those cases, credit hours that would have been earned in the courses may be replaced by credit hours in OPTI 6991, Thesis Research, and/or other electives approved by the student’s Advisory Committee and the Optics Program Director.

Thesis Advisor and Advisory Committee

Each student in the program must have a Thesis Advisor and an Advisory Committee before being admitted to candidacy. The student should select a thesis advisor before the end of the third semester of residency. The student and the thesis advisor jointly determine the advisory committee. The Thesis Advisor serves as Chair of the Advisory Committee and must be a member of the Optics Faculty at UNC Charlotte. The advisory committee must have at least 3 members, the majority of which must be members of the Optics Faculty. Composition of the Advisory Committee must be approved by the Optics Program Director.

Plan of Study

All students must prepare a Plan of Study before the end of the third semester following admission to the program. The Plan of Study should show in detail how the student will meet the 32 credit hour minimum. The Plan of Study must be approved by the Advisory Committee.

Research Plan

After successful completion of the Core Curriculum requirement and approval of the Plan of Study, the student will prepare a written Research Plan and an oral defense of that Plan presented in a public seminar. The Research Plan must be approved by the Advisory Committee. The Research Plan must demonstrate: (a) the student's knowledge of the relevant literature base, and (b) a research plan that, if successfully completed, will lead to an approved thesis.

Thesis

Each student will complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of thesis research. The student must present a written thesis to the Advisory Committee. The student must defend the thesis at a presentation before the Optics Faculty. Upon approval of the written thesis and oral presentation by the Advisory Committee, the student has successfully completed the thesis requirement. The thesis must be written using a format acceptable to the Graduate School.

Residency Requirement

The student must satisfy the residence requirement for the program by completing 12 credit hours of continuous enrollment in coursework/dissertation credit. Residence is
considered continuous if the student is enrolled in one or more courses in successive semesters until 12 credit hours are earned.

Time Limit for Completion of Program Requirements

All program requirements must be completed within 6 calendar years from the date the student is admitted into the program.

Transfer Credit Accepted

Up to 6 credit hours of approved coursework may be transferred from other accredited master’s and doctoral programs. Only courses in which the student earned a grade of B or better (or its equivalent) can be transferred. No more than 6 credit hours of approved coursework taken as a postbaccalaureate student may be applied toward the degree. Credit for thesis research cannot be transferred.

Assistantships

Support for beginning graduate students is usually a teaching assistantship. Continuing students are often supported by research assistantships.

Comprehensive Examination

The thesis defense is the final examination.

Language Requirement

The program has no language requirement.