Photonics Engineering

Photonics Engineering is a highly interdisciplinary MSc programme concerned with fundamental physics of light and optical components as well as a wide range of applications which are essential to our high-tech society, for example our ability to communicate using IT technology.

The field of photonics covers all technical applications of light over the entire spectrum from ultraviolet through visible to near, mid, and far infrared light—and from lasers in CD players through the development of new, energy-saving light sources to integrated lightwave circuits and optical fibres. Moreover, photonics plays an increasing role in biology and medicine, for instance in connection with food control or medical therapy, measurement methods for efficiency improvement of wind farms, and technologies capable of measuring the efficiency of combustion processes or carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

Study programme focus

The MSc programme in Photonics Engineering comprises a wide range of courses in, for instance, basic physics, enabling you to understand and describe light and optical phenomena, and in optical materials and structures used for optical signal processing.

The study programme also places great emphasis on future applications of optics and photonics and is strongly related to the latest research in optical materials and structures, lasers and light sources, biophotonics and optical sensors, and components for optical communication. In addition, the Photonics Engineering programme contains a separate course element focused on innovation.

During the course of study, you will thus gain knowledge of the basic physical principles that are crucial to understanding light—and how the various properties and applications of light can be used for developing technological solutions to the challenges the world will be facing in the future. This includes quantifying the consumption of carbon dioxide, improving the efficiency of combustion processes, securing future communication against acts of terrorism, measuring food quality, performing better medical procedures, and understanding and controlling diseases.

The teaching on the Photonics Engineering programme alternates between lectures, classes, and independent study. Furthermore, you will have ample opportunity to carry out theoretical and experimental projects, possibly in collaboration with an external industrial partner.

Specializations

The MSc programme in Photonics Engineering allows you to specialize in one of the four study lines:

• Biophotonics and sensors
• Components for optical communication
• Lasers and light sources
• Photonic materials and structures

You should be aware, however, that the study lines are not mandatory, and that your choice of courses in your individual study plan is subject to a high degree of flexibility. Therefore, you have every opportunity to design your own study programme and career by choosing from the wide range of courses offered at DTU.

To obtain the degree MSc in Photonics Engineering the student must obtain

• at least 30 ECTS credits within general competence courses
• at least 30 ECTS credits within tecnological specialization courses
• 30 ECTS credits from master thesis work within a technical topic relevant to Photonics Engineering
• The number of ECTS credits neede so that the chosen MSc programme together with elective courses adds up to 60 ECTS credits.

Only applicants holding either a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, a Bachelor in Engineering or a Bachelor of Natural Science degree can be admitted to a Master of Science in Engineering programme. From September 2017 the bachelor degree must be less than 10 years old.

The individual MSc Eng programme states in detail which bachelor programmes qualify and whether applicants have to complete supplementary educational activities.

Requirements for supplementary educational activities can equate to up to 30 ECTS credits and are specified in the form of a list of courses under the individual MSc Eng programmes.

The specific requirements must be met before graduating from the bachelor programme or in connection with conditional admission to a particular MSc Eng programme. The courses must be passed prior to the commencement of studies within one year from the conditional admission.

Supplementary educational activities in connection with conditional admission to an MSc Eng programme do not form part of the MSc Eng programme, and partial tuition fees are charged. If the supplementary courses have not been passed within the deadlines specified, the conditional admission to the programme is withdrawn.

The Master of Science in Engineering programmes are offered in English. Therefore applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English (B-level, IELTS, TOEFL- or Pearson test).

Academic requirements for this programme

Students from DTU

The following bachelor programme at DTU entitles students to admission to the MSc Eng programme in Photonics Engineering:.

• Physics and Nanotechnology

Students from other bachelor programmes at DTU for example

• Mathematics and Technology
• Electrical Engineering
• Medicine and Technology
• Earth and Space Physics and Engineering
• Network Technology and IT

have access to be admitted to the programme subject to having completed one of the following courses:

Bachelors students from other universities

Bachelor students from other universities in Denmark or abroad with a relevant background for example within

• Physics
• Physics and Nanotechnology
• Applied mathematics
• Electromagnetism

may have access to the MSc Eng programme in Photonics Engineering. However, the student must be able to document basic knowledge within optics and photonics corresponding to having completed the curriculum within one of the following DTU courses: