Optical Engineering

The Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester has been a leader in the training of optical scientists and engineers since 1929. It is the oldest academic optics program in the country. More than half of all optics degrees awarded in the US have been granted by the Institute, and three of the twelve most cited books in physics were authored by Institute faculty.

As of fall 2015, approximately 29% of optics majors are international students, 24% are women, and 5% belong to minority groups.

Required Optics Classes

• OPT 201: Geometrical Optics Lab (2 cr.)
• OPT 202: Physical Optics Lab (2 cr.)
• OPT 203: Instrumentation Lab (2 cr.)
• OPT 204: Sources and Detectors Lab (2 cr.)
• OPT 211: MATLAB for Optics Majors I (2 cr.)
• OPT 212: MATLAB for Optics Majors II (2 cr.)
• OPT 223: Quantum Theory of Optics
• OPT 225: Optical Sources and Detectors
• OPT 241: Geometrical Optics
• OPT 242: Aberrations and Testing
• OPT 261: Interference & Diffraction
• OPT 262: Electromagnetic Theory
• OPT 287: Math Methods for Optics & Physics
• 3 technical electives - Consult optics advisor to choose courses

Required Classes for Optical Engineering Majors Only

• OPT 310 Senior Design I
• OPT 311 Senior Design II

Required Classes for Optical Majors Only

• OPT 320: Senior Thesis I
• OPT 321: Senior Thesis II

Required Foundational Courses for both Optical and Optical Engineering Majors

Computing course(s)
   Class of 2019 and beyond: Matlab for Optics Majors (OPT 211 and OPT XXX, 4 credits total)
   Class of 2016, 2017, 2018: One HSEAS common computing course - CSC 160
Chemistry course
   Class of 2019 and beyond: CHM 137 Chemical Principles for Engineers
   Class of 2016, 2017, 2018: CHM 131 Concepts, Systems, Practice I (AP score of 4 or 5 also satisfies)

• MTH 161: Calculus IA and MTH 162: Calculus IIA (AP scores may give credit &/or placement)
• MTH 164: Multidimensional Calculus
• MTH 165: Linear Algebra with Differential Equations
• PHY 121 – 123, or Honors Physics PHY 141– 143*
• ECE 210: Circuits & Microcontrollers for Engineers or equivalent (Consult optics advisor to choose method for meeting this requirement)

Three technical electives required

• WRT 105 or WRT 105E

One cluster in humanities or social sciences plus one course in the remaining academic division

*Honors physics does not follow the same semester sequencing plan as PHY 12X series. Consult with faculty advisor if you’re planning to take honors physics.

Note: This sheet is intended to serve as a suggested road map to an optics degree. Consult with your faculty advisor for guidance if your intended individual academic path differs from the suggested model.

Requirements

You must submit the following materials. You will either submit through MyROC or your respective application portal (or mail when applicable). Rochester accepts the Common Application (CA), the Universal College Application (UCA), and the Coalition Application (CoA). The materials listed under Official Documents must be submitted to us directly by your school, testing site, or family member, depending on the document.

MyROC

• Part I Application
• International Financial Support Form (IFSF)
• Interview sign-up (highly recommended)
• Links to electronic media (music, websites, photos, videos, etc.) (optional)
• Writing sample (optional)

Official Documents

• High school transcript
• Financial documentation
• Official test scores
• Teacher recommendation
• School report
• Mid-year report
• College transcript
• English language exam results
• Family/Community Recommendation Form (optional)

Application Portal

• Application (CA, UCA, or CoA)
• Application fee
• Freshman Supplement (UCA)
• Writing Supplement (CA)
• Early Decision Agreement (optional)
• Professional Degree Programs essay (optional)
• Arts Supplement (UCA) (optional)
• Athletic Supplement (UCA) (optional)

If your native language is not English and you completed your secondary or higher education in a non-native English speaking country, you must take a test of English language proficiency. In some instances, admission to the University will be contingent upon participation in the University’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program.

• IELTS 7.0
• TOEFL (paper-based) 600
• TOEFL (internet-based) 100 
• PTE Academic 66

Scholarships

Need-based financial aid

If you are unable to meet the full cost of attendance for Rochester without need-based aid or sponsorship from the University, you must submit the CSS PROFILE. The CSS PROFILE is used to determine your potential eligibility for need-based University of Rochester grant funding and must be completed each year of attendance. Due to limited resources, only a small number of international applicants will qualify for need-based financial aid from the University. Applicants unable to secure the needed funding to cover the cost of attendance either through private funds or sponsorship cannot be admitted to the University.

Merit Scholarships

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, are considered for merit scholarships. No additional documentation is required to compete for a merit scholarship. Since merit scholarships are awarded independent of a student’s need, you must still submit the appropriate documents with your application as described above to complete your application for admission.