What does it take to succeed in optics?

This question is asked quite often, and rarely answered in a helpful manner.  Like any other high-tech field, it takes a combination of interest and aptitude.  Many people are interested in optics, because it is really fascinating.  But having an interest in optics and being able to do high-level optics are two different things.  Most important is the ability to speak in mathematics, the language of science and engineering.  Without a solid foundation in math, you will have a difficult time achieving an in-depth understanding of the various concepts in optics. Optical engineers at the BS level typically have completed five math courses, three beyond the two-semester calculus sequence.  It gets even more involved as one moves into graduate school to study optical physics.  

In order to begin any engineering or science program at the University of Arizona, you must possess a solid grounding in college algebra and trigonometry.  Take a look at your freshman year schedule.

The key here is the math, chemistry and physics.  To progress through this program in a timely manner, you must be ready to take MATH 125 (or the decelerated version MATH 124) in your first semester.  In order to begin the main optics sequence (OPTI 201) at the beginning of your sophomore year, you must have completed MATH 129 Calculus. This means that you take MATH 125 and MATH 129 in sequence during your freshman year or have AP credits in place.  You must therefore be ready to jump into Calculus when you begin.  In addition, PHYS 141, which is a prerequisite for OPTI 201, also requires that you have completed MATH 124 or MATH 125.

Admission to PHYS 141, which is also a prerequisite to OPTI 201,  requires that you have completed MATH 124 or MATH 125, and that you are taking  MATH 129 at the same time.  In addition, admission to CHEM 103A and CHEM 104A require that you have completed a college math course at the level of college algebra, or one which has a prerequisite of college algebra.  Delay here also postpones MSE 110.

BOTTOM LINE:  If you are not very good at math, it is unlikely that you will succeed in optical science and engineering.  If you still wish to do optics, check out the program at Pima Community College, or several other fine technology programs around the country. SPIE has a listing of programs at  spie.org/CommunityServices/StudentsAndEducators/DegreePrograms/index.cfm?fuseaction=US

Advice for incoming freshmen

1.  The sooner you sign up for the freshman summer orientation program, the better.  You will have a better selection of classes, and you have more time to repair any deficiencies unearthed during the placement testing program described below. Further information on the summer orientation program can be found at: http://admissions.arizona.edu/orientation/index.html.

2.    During your summer orientation, you will be given three placement exams.  The first is for English, the second for second language proficiency, and the third for math placement.

ENGLISH:  The placement exam will indicate which of several course sequences are available to you.  A high AP score can eliminate the requirement for one of the two semesters. See http://w3fp.arizona.edu/ucb/first-year_comp_placement.htm for details.

SECOND LANGUAGE:  Even though it is not shown on our syllabus, you will need to satisfy the University College second language requirement to graduate.  You must demonstrate proficiency in a second language, and the test administered during the summer orientation will indicate your expertise.  The requirements for the B.S. degree are fulfilled by one of the following:

1.  Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 
2.  Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level. 
3.  An AP score of 2 or higher or a CLEP score of 41 or higher in the language. See http://catalog.arizona.edu/2000-01/policies/apexam.htm.

Further details can be found at http://catalog.arizona.edu/2000-01/policies/secondlang.htm.

MATH: To begin the main optics sequence (OPTI 201) at the beginning of your sophomore year, you must have completed MATH 129 Calculus. This means that you take (MATH 124 or MATH 125) and MATH 129 in sequence during your freshman year or have AP credits in place.  In order to be admitted to MATH 124 or MATH 125, you must either present AP credits or take a math readiness test.  This MRT is administered during freshman orientation or shortly after your arrival on campus.  If you are not qualified to begin MATH 124, you will have to step back to  MATH 110 (College Algebra) and/or MATH 111 (Trigonometry).  You might be able to do one of these courses during summer school.

Unless you are very adept at math, it is in your best interest to prepare yourself in advance of your freshman orientation campus visit for this MRT placement test.  Otherwise you may face the prospect of unplanned summer school of remedial math or a slippage of your overall schedule for a year or more.  The Math department has a web page describing the math placement exam.  Be sure to read it at http://www.math.arizona.edu/~krawczyk/Intro.html. 

In addition, Dr. David Lovelock has created some readiness tests to determine your preparedness for various math subjects.  They are available for download at http://www.math.arizona.edu/software/uasft.html. 

Advice for transfer students from universities and four-year colleges

The same advice generally applies.  Even if you have completed calculus at another university, you still must take the MRT.  See http://www.math.arizona.edu/~krawczyk/Intro.html#trans for details.  Other transfer issues can be found at http://admissions.arizona.edu/Guide_Book/Transfer.htm .

Advice for transfer students from community colleges

There are a number of community colleges around the country that offer terrific programs in optical technology.  Examples are Monroe Community College (NY) www.monroecc.edu/depts/eomctech , Texas State Technical College www.tstc.edu,  Central Carolina Community College www.ccarolina.cc.nc.us , and soon a new one at our own Pima Community College http://west.cscwc.pima.edu/~scitec/optics/index.html .  Students coming from these colleges often have high expectations about the transferability of their coursework.  In general, math courses at the level of calculus and above will transfer.  If you have had any Physics course that did not require calculus, it will not transfer, as the level of the subject material without calculus is considerably lower.  Similarly, all those great courses you had in lasers, etc. were probably not at the same science and engineering level as the university courses, and therefore will not transfer.  Our experience shows that students coming from these community colleges will make fine engineers, once they have studied optics at the university level.  Their former training tends to enhance their university performance, and their overall competence is often superior because of the previous hands-on experience.

One other issue may be of importance.  Some students take their required humanities courses at community colleges.  The credits for these courses transfer, but the grades do not.  Some students have had difficulty maintaining a satisfactory GPA when taking just technical courses, and there is no other way to increase the GPA without retaking some humanities courses.

More transfer information from community colleges can be found at http://transferguides.arizona.edu/