Andrew Sarangan, Department Chairperson
The interdisciplinary programs of study leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in electro-optics are administered by the School of Engineering with the cooperative support of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Doctor of Philosophy in Electro-Optics (EOP)
To be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program in Electro-Optics and Photonics, a student must have received a M.S. degree in EOP or equivalent. Only the most promising students with a graduate GPA of 3.5 out of 4, or higher, or equivalent, may be admitted.
The minimum semester-hour requirement for the doctoral degree is 90 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree (which must include the EOP core or its equivalent), or 60 semester hours beyond the EOP M.S. degree or equivalent. Doctoral candidates are required to register for two semester hours of dissertation during the semester in which the dissertation is defended.
Students generally take the candidacy examination when all EOP core courses (EOP 501 through 506) have been completed. The exam will include two parts: (1) a written examination covering the EOP core courses; and (2) an oral examination on the dissertation proposal. Part 1 is offered twice a year, at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Passing grade is 70% with at least 50% on each question. Students receiving an overall score of 60-70%, or less than 50% in any area, will be given an oral exam based on the written exam. Part 2 of the candidacy exam must be completed within six months of passing Part 1, and before registering for their 13th dissertation hour.
At least one journal paper based on the dissertation, with the candidate as lead author, must be accepted in a recognized refereed journal in the area of the candidate's research by the date of the defense.
The Plan of Study of a student seeking the Ph.D. in Electro-Optics must successfully complete a minimum of 90 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree which must include the following:
1. Core courses as given in the EO Master's program or equivalent
2. Twelve semester hours of approved 600-level Electro-Optics courses.
3. Six semester hours of approved graduate mathematics courses.
4. Twelve semester hours of Technical Electives.
4. Thirty semester hours of Ph.D. dissertation credits in Electro-Optics.
See also the Doctoral Degree Requirements in School of Engineering section in the bulletin and consult with the director of the electro-optics program.
Master of Science in Electro-Optics (EOP)
The program of study in electro-optics leading to an M.S. degree must include a minimum of 30 semester hours including 18 semester hours of EOP core courses (EOP 501 through EOP 506) and three laboratory courses (EOP 541L, 542L and 543L). Students pursuing a thesis will take 6 semester hours of thesis credits and 3 more semester hours of technical electives. Non-thesis MS students will take EOP 598 (non-thesis project) and 9 semester hours of technical electives. Students have the option of substituting one of the latter two laboratory courses (EOP 542L or EOP 543L) with a summer short course.
| EOP 500 | Introduction to Research in Electro-Optics | 0 |
| EOP 501 | Fundamentals of Optical Design | 3 |
| EOP 502 | Light and Matter Interaction | 3 |
| EOP 503 | Optical Information Processing | 3 |
| EOP 504 | Guided-Wave Optics | 3 |
| EOP 505 | Introduction to Lasers | 3 |
| EOP 506 | Photonic Devices & Systems | 3 |
| EOP 510 | Contemporary Topics in Electro-Optics and Photonics | 0 |
| EOP 541L | Geometric & Physical Optics Laboratory | 1 |
| EOP 542L | Electro-Optic System Laboratory | 1 |
| EOP 543L | Advanced Electro-Optics Laboratory | 1 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| EOP 599 | Thesis | 6 |
| OR | ||
| EOP 598 | Non-thesis Research Project 1 | 0 |
| Plus 6 approved additional credits of technical electives | ||
| Total Hours | 30 |
See also Master's Degree Requirements in School of Engineering section in the catalog and consult with the Chair of Electro-Optics and Photonics.
1. Non-Thesis option must include EOP 598 Non-Thesis Project AND six additional, approved technical elective courses.


