Optics and Photonics

Modules shown are for the current academic year, and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

The course lasts one year full-time and begins in October. A part-time course lasting two years is also available for students working for an appropriate organisation in the optics field.

We offer a wide range of core and optional courses, taught by experts in the field, allowing you to develop specialist knowledge across a wide range of optics.

The main coursework (i.e. lectures and laboratory work) takes place in the first two terms. The first term consists of foundation modules and laboratory work. In the second term, you choose further lectures from the optional modules available, and there is a laboratory project to design and build a working optical system.

Laboratory skills are recognised as an important element of the course and you will be required to undertake a total of approximately 160 hours of labwork.

Throughout the course, seminars will provide examples of both technical/scientific innovation and of entrepreneurship in research and industry.

A self-study activity in the second term is an introduction to project work (over approximately 50 hours) and is designed to encourage initiative and self-sufficiency in the learning process. It is assessed by a written report and oral presentation. This is one of several activities focused on developing your transferable skills.

You will spend the months of May to September on a major project, which is often carried out in industry.

Written examinations are held in January and April/May, whilst the laboratory work is continually assessed during the course. The final project is assessed by oral presentations and a dissertation submitted in September.

A Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma are not available on this programme.

• Imaging
• Optical communications / Information Theory or Plasmonics and metamaterials
• Lasers
• Optical measurement and devices
• Laboratory work
• Self-study project
• Four-month research project

• Advanced topics in nanophotonics
• Biomedical optics
• Laser optics
• Laser technology
• Non-linear optics
• Fibre technology
• Optical design
• Optical design laboratory
• Optical displays
• Optoelectronic components and devices
• Photonics structures

Note: optional modules are subject to change

Imperial College works closely with employers and industry, including Industrial Advisory Panels, to design Master’s courses which provide graduates with technical knowledge, expertise and transferable skills and to encourage students to take internships and placements. All Master’s courses are designed with employer needs in mind with some Master’s courses accredited by Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies. Most Master’s courses offer an opportunity to carry out research projects in industry.