A Welcome Message from
Thomas L. Koch, Dean
 The College of Optical Sciences at the University of
Arizona is the world’s premier optical institute, with outstanding
faculty members, an international student body, a challenging curriculum,
pioneering research programs and close relationships with the optics industry.
Optics is perhaps the most
exciting field there is — fast-paced, technologically challenging and
rapidly changing. Our research thrusts have initiated many of the
changes we see in the field, and we are continually working to reflect
those changes in our academic and research programs.
Our academic programs — bachelor's,
professional certificate, master's, and Ph.D. — are available
to students worldwide through our distance learning program and our special series of short-courses available for purchase on DVD. Our weekly Colloquium, in which we invite respected optical scientists
and engineers to share their knowledge, are routinely videotaped and are
available to you — at no cost — via our website.
Our research programs
encompass exciting new technologies that can lead to such real-world
items as televisions, cell phones, iPods, DVD players, digital cameras,
video games, computer displays, printers, scanners, teleconferences and
distance learning classes. Recent developments in optical
technology have the potential to lead to enhanced security systems for
our homes and businesses, clean and renewable energy systems, more
accurate weather predictions, cost-effective manufacturing and
packaging, and medical imaging systems for disease diagnosis and
treatment. At the College of Optical Sciences, the development
of new research initiatives is as dynamic as the field of optics itself and is the
foundation of our educational program.
If you would like to visit
OSC in person, please call me to request a tour. It is always a pleasure
to escort visitors through our laboratories and introduce them to our
students and faculty members. If you can't make it to campus, please
enjoy a sneak peak with our
webcam and
virtual tours.
You can reach me by e-mail at
tlkoch@optics.arizona.edu
or by telephone at 520-621-6997.
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