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This program was
created to educate engineers for modern photonic engineering
challenges with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and industrial
relevance. The Master's in Photonic Communications Engineering (MS
in PCE) pairs
courses in systems-level engineering, marketplace demand, and the
technology commercialization process with course material in
leadership dynamics, technology management, ethical professionalism,
and communication.
The College of Optical Sciences offers this
degree in conjunction with the
University of Arizona College of Engineering and
with its CIAN partner
schools.
Time to Complete
It is possible to complete the
MS in PCE program in one year. The University of Arizona allows students a maximum of six years to complete an MS.
Distance Learning Option All required lectures are available via
distance learning. Students choosing distance learning classes will attend, via streaming
video, the same classes
as on-campus students, communicating with their professors and fellow students through email,
Desire to Learn discussion boards, and
web chat
rooms. Distance learning students buy the same textbooks, use the same professional software, complete the same homework, and sit for the same
exams as on-campus students.
Laboratory Course Waiver Working professionals with applicable industry experience may have the opportunity
to waive one or both laboratory course requirements.
Thesis Defense The University of Arizona requires on-campus and distance students to complete
their thesis defense on-campus. A one-day visit will usually suffice.
MS Reference Manual
For more information about this program, including Plan of Study
deadlines and final examination requirements, please see the
MS Reference Manual.
How to Apply
Prospective students apply to
the
Graduate College at the
University of Arizona.
Change of Program If you are already enrolled in an MS or PhD program with
the UA
College of Engineering or College of Optical Sciences and
you would like to transfer into the MS in PCE program, please submit a
Change of Program form for automatic admission.
Admitted MS PCE students considering the PhD program will need to
submit a College of Optical Sciences PhD application.
Transfer Credits
Upon admission to the program, you may transfer up to six units of relevant coursework
from other universities, pending approval from the MS in PCE
committee.
Non-Degree-Seeking Status
Master's in Photonic Communications Engineering courses are open to non-degree-seeking students.
Please apply through the
University of Arizona Graduate College. |
Coursework
The MS in Photonic Communications Engineering is comprised of 30
credits. Students may opt
to write a thesis (4 credits) or to take an approved elective
lecture course (3 credits) and OPTI 589
(1 credit). The following courses, worth 26 credits, are required:
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Supercourses
OPTI/ECE
500ABC and OPTI/ECE 500DEF: Photonic Communications Engineering
I and II (6 credits)
The two supercourses are
divided into three one-credit segments each: A, B, and C; and D, E,
and F. Non-degree-seeking students have the option of taking one
segment, several segments, or all six segments. Note that
registration and add/drop deadlines differ by segment length.
Units A, B, and C cover optical guiding and wave propagation characteristics,
fiber material properties, optical transmitters, receivers and
amplifiers, communication networks, and the Internet. Units D, E,
and F
build upon this knowledge with advanced subjects in system modeling,
device integration, and systems-level engineering.
When all three sections are taken
together the course is designed as a survey, from the device to
the systems level, of photonic communications engineering.
Reference
material for the courses are in a digital platform to allow dense
hyperlinking between topics so students from various disciplines
can customize the reading material to their individual prerequisite
knowledge. The units are team taught by faculty from
CIAN partner
universities so subjects are covered by world-class experts.
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OPTI 501: Electromagnetic Waves
or
ECE 581A:
Electromagnetic Field Theory
(3 credits)
In OPTI 501, course content includes vector fields, Maxwell’s equations,
electromagnetic field energy, wave equations, free-space solutions,
box modes, Fresnel equations, scalar and vector potentials, and
gauge transformations.
In ECE 581A, the course is structured to provide all students with
the fundamental concepts and analytical techniques associated with
engineering electromagnetics. The material is a complete exposure to
Maxwell’s equations and their solutions to a variety of problems.
Understanding the fundamentals of electromagnetics is intrinsic to
understanding how to analyze and design various types of components,
devices, and systems for a broad range of applications.
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OPTI/ECE 503A:
Mathematical Methods for Optics and Photonics (3 credits)
This course is
motivated by industrial applications of numerical analysis and
includes applications of mathematical techniques, complex number
theory, complex functions, and integration in the complex plane.
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OPTI/ECE 503B: Software
Tools for Photonics (3 credits)
This programming course will introduce
students to industry-recognized software packages for beam
propagation/transmission, component simulation (active and passive),
and transmission system design. General simulation strategies for
the fast and accurate analysis of noise, fiber dispersion, nonlinear
effects such as four-wave mixing, self-phase modulation, cross-phase
modulation, WDM, and multi-span systems will be covered. OPTI/ECE 503B (3
credits)
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OPTI 507: Solid-State
Optics (3 credits)
Introduces students to basic concepts in crystals and in
optical response, optical properties of metals, insulators and
semiconductors, quantum wells, glass and polymers, optical
nonlinearities, solid-state devices, and laser diodes.
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OPTI 511L: Lasers and
Solid-State Devices Laboratory (1 credit)
Students will experiment with
subjects addressed in the Optical Physics and Lasers (rs (OPTI 511),
Introduction to Lasers (OPTI 541), and Solid State Optics (OPTI 507)
courses. The exercises involve experiments with diode lasers, gas
and solid-state lasers, cavity modes, stability, nonlinear crystals,
and atomic spectroscopy.
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OPTI/ECE 539A: From
Photonics Innovation to the Marketplace (3 credits)
Students will examine
the process by which successful companies and entrepreneurs have
translated their technical innovations into marketplace leadership.
The course focuses on proven approaches for managing this process,
methodologies, benefits and pitfalls. A substantial portion of the
course will be devoted to the examination of technology innovation
case studies, principally drawn from the photonics and optical
communications markets.
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OPTI/ECE 587L:
Photonic Communications Laboratory. (1 credit)
Offers students experience
measuring and designing physical properties of fiber-optic systems
and components. Students will work in teams on laboratory
experiments, including fiber handling, connector handling
(cleaning), optical insertion loss, and NA measurements; single-mode
fiber coupling and mode distributions; fiber splicing and couplers;
spectral characterization of fiber splitters/couplers and WDM
multiplexers/demultiplexers; laser diodes and fiber Bragg gratings;
wavelength multiplexing and de-multiplexing.
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OPTI/ECE 632: Advanced
Optical Communications Systems (3 credits)
Advanced technologies and
methods that enhance the overall optical transmission system
performance and throughput, and the trade-offs related to the system
engineering process. Topics include advanced chromatic dispersion
compensation, on, PMD compensation, and the nonlinearity management. The
physics behind parametric amplification will be presented. Several
proof-of-concept experiments will be demonstrated.
The following courses are
approved electives:
For questions about
applying for the Master's in Photonic Communications Engineering, please
contact Tammy Orr at
torr@optics.arizona.edu or 520-621-1356. For other questions,
please contact Gail Varin at
gail@optics.arizona.edu
or 520-626-0888.
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