<p>Well, I posted this is College Search and I wouldn't normally post in more than one area, but I just discovered there was a engineering major thread (I thought the top forums were all there were, so just clicked on discussion home, sorry) so I think this might fit better in this thread.
Okay, son just returned from National Jamboree where he spent a large amount of time with all the cool science and technology exhibits, activities and such they had there. Senior next years, knows he wants engineering, but is wavering on the type for 1st undergrad degree. (he's probably going to be like that guy in The Librarian, a perpetual engineering student). He came home with a DVD and a book on a field called optical engineering. He is very interested in this, but the thing is we haven't been able to locate an actual optical engineering degree program. Anyone know if there is such a thing and if so what schools have it. The book is titled Engineering the Future, says optical engineers design, build and test devices to create, manipulate, detect or use light and then gives a list. Then there is a list of optical engineering specialties. Then it talks about career outlook and salary ranges says "Photonics is to 21st century what electronics was to 20th century". Talks about invention of the laser, telescope etc.. in the past and then a large amount of information on the JWST Observatory and how it's coming along. The guy who did the presentation is a Dr. Stahl w/the James Webb Space Telescope, it says he has a PhD in Optical Science, and his son who has a BS in physics and is starting a master's in the field of optics at U. of Alabama which is on son's list. But no mention of any other schools or programs. I know a couple of schools son is looking at offer something called Engineering Physics which we were considering in case he can't make up his mind, but I'd hate to have to redo his list completely. Is anyone aware of the plan of study that makes one an "optical engineer" or are we looking for more of a hand's on Physics type program. Any ideas of good schools to even start to check out? I see Photonics is being flagged as not a real word, but I've spelled it as it is in the information.
Thanks</p>
<p>Try the following:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/726912-optical-engineering-unknown-major.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/726912-optical-engineering-unknown-major.html</a></p>
<p>OP - I am an electro-optical engineer. Most optical engineering falls under the purview of electrical engineering, and many programs offer it as a specialization. There are certainly a few physics programs that can offer a similar program of study, but it will not usually be as rigorous. I would generally avoid an “optical science” undergrad even if you can find one - a field that narrow is dangerous if he gets to his junior year and decides he doesn’t like it. Go with a broader field like EE and do optics as a specialization.</p>
<p>I know that Penn State (my alma mater) offers a lot of courses in that option, and most major EE departments will also.</p>
<p>Another approach is through materials science and engineering. I know of some one with a materials degree that works for NASA on mirrors for telescopes. Other applications include fiber optics. Clemson does a lot of research in this area. You would probably get a general BS in materials and specilize in grad school on optical materials.</p>
<p>Boonsboro - very true, optical engineering components are designed by individuals in several different disciplines - materials, mechanical, chemical, etc. In my experience most “system” optical engineers are either in electrical or astonomy/physics.</p>
<p>There are 3 Optics Engineering programs nationally accredited by ABET.</p>
<ul>
<li>The University of Alabama in Huntsville AL</li>
<li>Norfolk State University VA</li>
<li>Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology IN</li>
</ul>
<p>Source - [Accredited</a> Programs Search](<a href=“http://www.abet.org/AccredProgramSearch/AccreditationSearch.aspx]Accredited”>http://www.abet.org/AccredProgramSearch/AccreditationSearch.aspx)</p>
<p>Out of the three schools Fieldgineer listed, I would pick Rose-Hulman. I would also consider the program offered by [Arizona</a> State](<a href=“https://admissions.arizona.edu/colleges/engineering/engr-optical-sci-eng.aspx]Arizona”>https://admissions.arizona.edu/colleges/engineering/engr-optical-sci-eng.aspx).</p>
<p>Rose-Hulman is a solid school, and if he decides he wants to try something else they are strong in most fields of engineering. Not sure about the other schools listed.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Why do you say this? I’d think that doing a physics program would be more advantageous than doing an EE program because you’d learn more about relevant fundamental physics (QM, thermodynamics, E & M) for optics/photonics. Physics degrees are more flexible than EE degrees, so he’d have plenty of time to take the EE electives. The EE student, on the other hand, wouldn’t have the same freedom and would have to take a lot of less relevant classes to fulfill degree requirements.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I’m no expert on the subject, but this is highly optimistic. From what I know, there are a couple of serious problems that prevent photonics from totally replacing electronics.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, and the link to the 09 thread about this same issue. He may be thinking the EE route w/the specialization in optics. Then that gives him some future options. He’s really having a hard time coming up with a focus for his undergrad. He thinks almost every field of engineering is really cool, there are few he’s sure he’s not interested in. He’s been fortunate enough to have done a couple of internships and engineering camps, which were great for making sure he’s going into a field he has some aptitude and interest in, but not so much for narrowing down options. He’s really more interested in the research and higher degree options than going right out into industry after undergrad, so it’s not really required that he choose right now, but it would be nice if he was sorta pointing in the right direction. So we’re trying to look at schools with a wide array of options, and I’m preparing myself for the fact he may switch, which will add time. I’d like to avoid a school transfer for undergrad, as transfer FA is not usually as good as that for freshmen. I must say, I watched the DVD and there are some cool things going on in the field, though I did tell him he has to take recruitment claims with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>But then again, we were just talking yesterday, physics is by far his favorite science class, he’s doing AP this year. There are areas of physics he likes better than others, but he seems to have an intuitive grasp of many of the concepts and theories that not all of his classmates have. So who knows, the physics option might be what he likes best. That is one of the things he has commented on, that many engineering programs are very rigid in their courses and there isn’t much chance to take additional classes, unless you want to stay an additional year.</p>
<p>I think it’s a great idea that he wants to be an optical engineer. I am an optical engineer and I graduated from one of the top, if not top, school for optics in the nation, the University of Arizona! Just to let you know the University of Arizona isn’t ASU. I take offense to take because they are our rivals. 
I disagree with the cosmicfish. Optics isn’t a narrow field, it’s bigger or as big as any other engineering field. Just because it is less known to the general population doesn’t make it narrow. Optics ranges from EM waves transmitted to cell towers, to fiber optic communcation, to holography, to cameras, to LED backlit displays including the 3D displays, to radiometry, photometry, biomedical imaging, acousto-optic imaging, hyper spectrual imagers, solar panel designs…etc. How do they get data off a Blu-ray disc? They use light to relay the information. Who doesn’t want to be apart of the fastest entity known to man. Light isn’t really understood. Is it a particle or a wave? The U of A has helped land objects on Mars, helped fix the hubble telescope, and made parts for ATLAS (one of the detectors on the particle accelerator). Right now I design night vision googles. This past year I have been on interviews around the nation, and have received five offers from contractors of various optical technologies. If you go into optics you won’t ever be struggling for a job. The optics world has been on the rise for decades. I agree that photonics is to 21st century what electronics was to 20th century!!! The only other undergraduate school to consider is the University of Rochester, but the snow is awful. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Here is the link to College of Optical Science homepage. [College</a> of Optical Sciences - The University of Arizona](<a href=“http://www.optics.arizona.edu/]College”>http://www.optics.arizona.edu/)</p>