Gain Highly Marketable Skills

At the University of Dayton, we're proud to be one of only a handful of academic programs worldwide to offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electro-optics and photonics.

Our world-class laboratories and research directly align with government labs and commercial industries, allowing you to obtain real-world and highly marketable skills. Our students present their work at leading international conferences and participate in internships at our partner industries. Students also benefit from our close ties with high-tech industries, defense labs and academia.


Programs of Study

Closer Look: Photonics is All Around Us

Examples of photonics:

  • Display technology: Computers, TVs, cell phones
  • Lidar: Drones for aerial mapping, self-driving cars
  • Optical spectroscopy: Detection of hazardous chemicals and pathogens
  • Optical lithography: Critical step in semiconductor chips manufacture
  • 3D imaging and holograms: Hololens and forensic sciences
  • Optical data storage: DVD, Blu-ray
  • Optical coatings: Mirrors, displays, cell phone screens
  • Photodetectors and imaging: Cameras, cell phones
  • Night vision cameras: Surveillance, military and energy industries
  • Fiber optics: Broadband communication networks
  • Laser machining: Emerging technology replacing traditional machining
  • Lasers: Numerous areas, including medical surgery, telecommunications, spacecraft propulsion

Every Student Is Unique. So Is UD.

Meaningful Real-World Experience

Take your engineering knowledge from the classroom and apply it in the real world. At UD, you'll have multiple opportunities for experiential learning, including co-ops and internships.

Through our ETHOS Center, you'll have a chance to gain perspectives on how engineering and technology are influenced by the world through service-learning experiences.

Preparation for the Next Step

All University of Dayton students and alumni have access to Career Services, which provides a variety of services including career advising, events, workshops and more.

An Involved Community

The community at the University of Dayton is one of the many elements that make this campus feel like home.

As a Flyer, you'll be able to get involved through engineering clubs and organizations, like the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers and professional fraternities and honor societies, like the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi.

Research for a Better World

At UD, our Catholic, Marianist values guide us to conduct research to create a better world for everyone.

Not only will you have a chance to work in our many labs find solutions to make a real-world impact, you'll be able to participate in and learn from others in our engineering centers.



UD and IBM logos
News
11.19.2025

IBM, University of Dayton announce research collaboration for next-generation semiconductor technologies link-arrow link-arrow

The agreement for the joint research and development of next-generation semiconductor technologies and materials aims to advance critical technologies for the age of AI; including AI hardware, advanced packaging and photonics. 
HUST student using laser equipment in the lab.
Engineering
11.18.2025

A Decade of Partnership: HUST and UD School of Engineering link-arrow link-arrow

To date, more than 20 HUST students have successfully completed the 3+2 program, many supported through research and teaching assistantships at UD.
Two students and their professor standing in front of a tall banner that says: Optica. A new light. A new day. A new brand.
Engineering
09.17.2025

EOP Students and Alumni Share Research at Annual Optica Imaging Congress link-arrow link-arrow

Each year, students from the UD’s Electro-Optics and Photonics programs play a major role in the Optica Imaging Congress, one of the world’s leading research gatherings in optics and photonics.

Our Facilities

Unique Engineering Lab Spaces

Our students don't just learn about engineering for the common good — they get to experience it firsthand. We offer 36 unique lab spaces that focus on solutions impacting society.



Contact Department of Electro-Optics and Photonics
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 2951
937-229-2797 email