Optical Instrument Design

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 Instrument Design track places an emphasis on the optomechanical design and manufacturing of components and instruments.

Who Should Enroll

The Optical Instrument Design track benefits entry and mid-level professionals, with an emphasis on a wider range of optomechanical and instrument design skills.

In addition, UCI also offers elective courses to provide an opportunity to develop specialized skills related to professional needs or personal interests.

Program Benefits

  • Discover innovative approaches for optical engineering and analysis
  • Learn through hands-on design courses which provide skills in manual design, computer simulation, and the art of creating optical components and systems
  • 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

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 Instrument Design Certificate:

A certificate is awarded upon the completion of 5 total courses with a grade of “C” or better in each course (2 required and 3 elective courses). To become an official candidate in the program, students pursuing the certificate must submit a Declaration of Candidacy for Optical Instrument Design 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 Instrument Design and Optical Engineering Certificates:

Students interested in earning both the Optical Instrument Design certificate and the related Optical Engineering 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 Instrument Design and Optical Engineering 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.

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Optical Society of Southern California

OSSC members save 15% on tuition. Email donn@oisc.net.

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Certificate
Approximate Tuition $5,670
Format Online
Duration 12-18 months
Total Units 15

Enroll and pay for courses as you go.

Have Questions?

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Call: (949) 824-5414
Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm (Pacific)

Course Schedule

Course schedules are subject to change. Individual courses may be taken without enrolling in the full program.

Prerequisite Courses
Candidates should complete the prerequisite course or possess equivalent experience or education.
Required Courses
Elective Courses
Choose a minimum of 3 courses

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Frequently Asked Questions

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