Optical Engineering
An increasing amount of today’s consumer, industrial, and business products incorporate optomechanical systems. These are essential to virtually every industry, including defense, medical, clean energy, nanotechnology, automotive, electronics, communications, entertainment, computers, and consumer products.
The Optical Engineering track addresses the growing demand for skilled professionals who can conceptualize, design, and manufacture optical components and systems. This track emphasizes lens design, radiometry (sources, optics, and detectors), and optical systems engineering.
Who Should Enroll
The Optical Engineering track gives students the skills and experience needed to enter this growing field. The program will benefit entry and mid-level professionals who need to broaden their knowledge and improve their career options in this high-demand area.
In addition, UCI also offers elective courses to provide an opportunity to develop specialized skills related to professional needs or personal interests.
Program Benefits
- Gain useful insights and practical skills for designing and engineering optical components and systems
- Explore the latest technologies in optical engineering, including new optical materials and the latest cost-effective manufacturing techniques
- Understand and effectively communicate details of optical technical specifications to manufacturers and quality control personnel
- Develop skills with industry-standard optical software tools, such as Zemax (OpticStudio) Software
Earn an Alternative Digital Credential
Successful completion of a qualifying assignment within select courses offers you the opportunity to earn an Alternative Digital Credential. Also referred to as a digital badge, an ADC is a virtual record of specific skills and competencies you have acquired and provides a verifiable way for you to share your educational achievements with employers, colleagues and others via social platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Explore the criteria necessary to earn an ADC in:
- Telecentric Lens: Machine Vision System Design
Applicable course: Advanced Lens Design (completed after 6/23/22*)
Learn more about Alternative Digital Credentials and how they can help you demonstrate your commitment to professional development and distinguish yourself in a competitive job market.
*Courses completed prior to indicated dates are not eligible for a badge.
Eligibility and Requirements
Candidates should complete EECS X496.55 Geometrical and Physical Optics or possess equivalent experience or education.
All requirements must be completed within five (5) years after the student enrolls in their first course. Students not pursuing a certificate are welcome to take as many individual courses as they wish.
How to Earn the Optical Engineering Certificate:
A certificate is awarded upon the completion of 5 total courses with a grade of “C” or better in each course (3 required and 2 elective courses). To become an official candidate in the program, students pursuing the certificate must submit a Declaration of Candidacy for Optical Engineering with a non-refundable $125 application fee. Students are encouraged to declare candidacy as soon as possible, but no later than after the third course in the program. After completing all program requirements, students must submit a Request for Certificate to receive the digital certificate.
How to Earn Both the Optical Engineering and Optical Instrument Design Certificates:
Students interested in earning both the Optical Engineering certificate and the related Optical Instrument Design certificate must complete a total of 8 courses. These include 3 required in the Optical Engineering track, 2 required in the Optical Instrument Design track, and 3 electives (excluding EECS X496 Optical Systems Engineering and EECS X499 Optomechanical Systems Engineering) with a grade of “C” or better in each course.
To become an official candidate in both programs, students pursuing the certificate must submit a Declaration of Candidacy for both Optical Engineering and Optical Instrument Design with a non-refundable $125 application fee for each program. Students are encouraged to declare candidacy as soon as possible, but no later than after the third course in the program. After completing all program requirements, students must submit a Request for Certificate to receive both digital certificates.
Discount
OSSC members save 15% on tuition. Email donn@oisc.net.
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Course Schedule
Course schedules are subject to change. Individual courses may be taken without enrolling in the full program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Basic calculus and physics are needed for the program as well as this prerequisite: EECS X496.55 Geometrical and Physical Optics. If you feel you have prior experience due to a course you previously completed or personal work experience we can do a background verification. Please share transcripts and/or resume outlining your work experience to EngineeringSciences@ce.uci.edu.
Yes, when pursuing both programs, you can share a maximum of two elective courses between the two programs. Since EECS X496 and EECS X499 are both required courses in each program, they may not be used to count toward an elective for either programs and you will need to complete another elective. Please note that you will also need to apply for candidacy into both Certificate Programs to earn both certificates.
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