Photonics and Optoelectronic Devices MSc

Master

In St Andrews

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Location

    St andrews (Scotland)

  • Duration

    12 Months

This MSc provides postgraduate vocational training in lasers, optics, and semiconductors tailored to the needs of those seeking to enter photonics-based industry and university research. Students benefit from classes using the expertise at St Andrews and Heriot-Watt universities, followed by an around 3.5 month project, often with a UK photonics company. The industrial project allows real-world application of the material covered at the universities, and gives valuable experience in commercial photonics.

Facilities

Location

Start date

St Andrews (Fife)
See map
University Of St Andrews, KY16 9AJ

Start date

On request

About this course

Tailored to balance fundamental understanding with industrial relevance.
Gain an understanding of the fundamental properties of optoelectronic materials and devices with vocational training in modern optics, laser physics and semiconductor physics. You also gain practical experience in the operation of a wide range of laser devices and optoelectronic technologies.
Develop an appreciation of the widespread practical applications of coherent light sources in communications, material processing and testing, optical processing, medical treatments and diagnostics, and environmental monitoring.
The industrial project placement occupies 12-14 weeks from late May to August and is assessed in September after the submission of a dissertation.

The Photonics and Optoelectronic Devices MSc course aims to produce graduates with appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes to go on to be successful in the photonics area. Some of our recent graduates are featured in our graduate profiles. In addition to employment in companies, some MSc graduates have found long-term employment in universities worldwide. Some of the locations where our MSc graduates have obtained employment include:
BAE Systems
Cascade Technologies
Coherent
Edinburgh Instruments
Gooch and Housego UK Ltd
Leonardo
M-Squared Laser
Osram
Silixa
STMicroelectronics
Taylor Hobson
Unik Lasers.

A strong 2.2 Honours degree in physics, applied physics, electronic engineering, or equivalent qualifications.

If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

English language proficiency. See Postgraduate English language requirements.

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Reviews

This centre's achievements

2018

All courses are up to date

The average rating is higher than 3.7

More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months

This centre has featured on Emagister for 13 years

Subjects

  • Project
  • Industry
  • GCSE Physics
  • Displays
  • Nonlinear optics
  • Laser Physics
  • Quantum Physics
  • Physical
  • Quantitative
  • Professional

Course programme

Semester 1 modules (at St Andrews)
  • Displays and Nonlinear Optics: covering the physics of polymers and liquid crystals as well as the physical ideas and application of second and third order nonlinear optics.
  • Laser Physics: presents a description of the main physical concepts upon which an understanding of laser materials, operations and applications can be based.
  • One photonics application module: choose one from two or more application areas, for example Biophotonics, Applications of Quantum Physics and Nanophotonics.
  • Photonics Laboratory: gives training in experimental photonics and allows students the opportunity to explore photonics practically in a series of chosen open-ended investigations.
Semester 2 modules (at Heriot-Watt)
  • Fibre Optic Communications: topics include fibre optic attenuation, fibre amplifiers, and nonlinear fibres.
  • Modern Optics: covers geometrical optics, Fourier optics and modulators.
  • Photonics Experimental Laboratory: develops students' skills in experimental design, exploration of physical concepts, and experimental skills.
  • Semiconductor Optoelectronic Devices: topics include light emitting diodes, laser diodes and photoemissive detectors.
Project

The research and development project, which is often hosted by a UK company, is an ideal introduction to the optoelectronics and laser industry. It represents a great opportunity to get hands-on research and development experience in a commercial environment, working on a project that is important to the company concerned.

The project placement occupies 12 to 14 weeks from late May to August and is assessed in September through the submission of a dissertation (up to 15,000 words) and an oral exam.

The programme coordinator aims to find host companies for students on the programme. Companies who have recently hosted projects for our students include Ceres Holographics, Coherent, Daqri, Elforlight, Helia Photonics, Leonardo, Optoscribe, STMicroelectronics, M-Squared Lasers, Silixa, Taylor Hobson, and Unik Lasers.

Additional information

Tuition fees For 2019 entry, admission to the Photonics and Optoelectronic Devices MSc is administered by Heriot-Watt University. Further information can be found on the Heriot-Watt University fees webpage.

Photonics and Optoelectronic Devices MSc

Price on request