Master of Science (M.S.) Degree Requirements
In our 30 semester-hour master's degree program, you can expect hands-on training in three optics labs, a significant choice of electives that reflect the diverse backgrounds of our students and the opportunity to compete for graduate co-op research jobs at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton as well as with local companies and the state of Ohio. Our master's degree candidates are encouraged to finish their programs with a thesis. The program of study in electro-optics leading to an M.S. degree must include a minimum of 30 semester hours consisting of the following:
- 21 semester hours of core courses in electro-optics: EOP 501, EOP 502, EOP 505, EOP 506, EOP 513, EOP 514, EOP 541L, EOP 542L and EOP 543L.
- 3 semester hours of a technical elective.
- 6 semester hours of thesis work in the case of a thesis option or 6 semester hours of approved technical electives in the case of a non-thesis option.
While all students are expected to write a thesis, students supported by an assistantship are required to write a thesis. A request for thesis waiver is to be made at the start of the program of study. The procedure for this request is available from the electro-optics office. Students who have received a waiver of the thesis requirement must take an examination given by a three-person advisory committee just prior to their anticipated graduation date. The examination will be centered around an oral presentation on a topic mutually agreed to by the student and the advisory committee. At the discretion of the advisory committee, a written report may also be required. This committee and the topic must be selected before the last semester of study. The examination may be repeated once, but not in the same academic term.
| Thesis Route | Non-Thesis Route |
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Select thesis advisor during first semester |
Request for thesis waiver during the first semester |
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File Plan of Study before the end of the second semester |
File Plan of Study before the end of the second semester |
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Select 2 additional committee members in consultation with thesis advisor |
Select a three member advisory committee before graduation semester |
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File application for graduation by the fourth week of the graduation semester |
Propose and obtain approval for EOexam topic from advisory committee by middle of the graduating semester |
| Obtain advisor’s approval of final thesis draft by middle of the graduating semester |
Submit written report to the committee two weeks before the presentation |
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Submit final thesis draft to committee two weeks before the defense |
Make presentation to advisory committee and pass the final examination |
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Request to Schedule Thesis Defense |
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Present and defend the thesis to the committee |
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Submit approved thesis to Graduate Office one week |
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree Requirements
The program of study in electro-optics leading to a Ph.D. degree must include a minimum of 90 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree including the following:
- 21 semester hours of core courses in electro-optics: EOP 501, 502, 505, 506, 513, 514, 541L, 542L and 543L, or equivalent.
- 6 semester hours of approved graduate mathematics courses.
- 12 semester hours of approved 600-level electro-optics courses.
- 30 semester hours of doctoral dissertation in electro-optics.
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DOCTORATE |
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After M.S., select dissertation advisor during first semester |
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File Plan of Study before the end of the second semester |
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Take EO Candidacy Written Exam after taking all EO core courses |
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Select 2 additional committee members from program and 1 outside committee member in consultation with dissertation advisor |
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Submit dissertation proposal document to committee one week prior to the proposal defense date |
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Present and defend the dissertation proposal within six months of passing the written exam |
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Submit at least one manuscript for refereed publication during the research period |
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Obtain advisor’s approval of final dissertation draft by middle of the graduating semester |
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Submit final dissertation draft to committee two weeks before the defense |
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Request to Schedule Dissertation Defense |
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Present and defend the dissertation to the committee |
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Submit approved dissertation to Graduate Office one week before the last week of semester. |
Accelerated Bachelor's Plus Master's Program
This is a 5-year BS plus MS program for qualified undergraduate students from Engineering or Physics. It is anticipated that students who would normally graduate in 4 years with their BS degree would, under this program, be able to finish with both the bachelor’s and the EO master’s degrees in 5 years. For students pursuing the thesis option, this may require performing research over the summer following their senior year, and the summer following the fifth year.
Non-thesis Route
| Senior Fall | Senior Spring | Senior Summer | M.S. Fall | M.S. Spring |
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EOP 501 (BS + MS dual |
EOP 505 |
EOP Technical |
EOP 513 |
EOP 514 |
Thesis Route
| Senior Fall | Senior Spring | Senior Summer | M.S. Fall | M.S. Spring | M.S. Summer |
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EOP 501 (BS + MS dual |
EOP 505 |
Technical Elective |
EOP 513 |
EOP 514 |
3 credit Thesis |
- 1 The 6 credit hours will count towards the technical electives requirements of the BS degree. With the BPM election, the same 6 credits will also count towards the MS degree.
- 2 These 7 credit hours will only count towards the MS degree, and do not fulfill any undergraduate requirements. Students pursuing the BPM option will have to plan their undergraduate courses to make room for these courses.
- 3 The research work for the thesis will span the entire two year period regardless of when the thesis credits are earned.