Overview
The Department of Physics offers a photonics certificate for all undergraduate students at Utah State University. The certificate program is a minimum 21 credit-hour credential that will be stackable to a BS degree.The photonics certificate program prepares undergraduate students to participate in the emerging field of photonics either in graduate programs or industry. It is designed to be easily completed in Physics and ECE majors, but any other majors are also welcome. Students pursuing this certificate will learn classical and quantum description of electromagnetic phenomena, conventional and quantum optics, and photonic devices. The well-equipped Nanoscale Device Laboratory and Photonics Laboratory will provide hands-on experience to deepen your understanding of these subjects in addition to obtain practical skills. The certificate requires the completion of the following 7 courses with a grade of C or better.
Required Courses
1. PHYS 2710 - Introductory Modern Physics
2. PHYS/ECE 4650 -Optics I
3. PHYS 4600 or ECE 5800 - Electromagnetism II
4. PHYS/ECE 5700 - Introduction to Microfabrication
5. PHYS/ECE 5210 – Introduction to photonics and devices
6. PHYS/ECE 5250 - Photonics Laboratory
7. Choose one from the following:
PHYS 4700 - Quantum Mechanics I
ECE 5850 – Antennas I
Career Application
Photonics is an extension of optics that focuses on the science and technology of using single or multiple photons to transmit, process, and store information. Leveraging the matured technology of silicon integrated circuits, micro/nano scale on-chip photonic devices, or known as integrated photonics, have enabled many emerging technologies including virtual and augmented reality, 5G and beyond wireless communications, Internet of Things, LiDAR for driverless cars, neuromorphic computation for artificial intelligence, quantum computation, and quantum communication. Photonics and quantum computing are on the frontline to the America’s economic and national security as recognized by the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee.
Students in this program will be encouraged to take summer internships provided by our industrial partners including Space Dynamics Laboratory, Texas Instruments, Moxtek, Northrop-Grumman, Raytheon, and Wasatch Photonics. The workplace experience will further enhance their competitiveness in the job market and motivate them to pursue graduate studies.