Master’s program · Rossin College of Engineering
Master of Science in Photonics
The MS in Photonics at Lehigh University gives you the knowledge to design and test optical components and subsystems and to build and operate optical communications networks.
- Credits30
- Typical length1.5–2 years
- DeliveryOn campus
- Degree awardedMaster of Science
- GRENeither accepted nor reviewed
On this page
Overview
What the Master of Science in Photonics is
The program covers the essential aspects of the field in enough detail for graduates to practice photonics professionally: nonlinear optics, optical materials, optical devices and components, and optical communications systems.
Your core coursework is organized into five course areas, and you complete one course from each. That gives every student a shared footing in photonics and nonlinear optics, electricity and magnetism, semiconductor devices and solids, quantum mechanics, and the optical properties of materials. Courses come from electrical and computer engineering, physics and materials science and engineering.
Electives let you lean toward electromagnetics, photovoltaics, electron microscopy and diffraction, or computational and mathematical physics. If you want hands-on research experience, up to 6 credits can go to a thesis or an independent study.
A 30-credit degree, typically 1.5–2 years of full-time study, delivered on campus.
Research areas
Research areas in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department
The department’s named research areas, which shape the electives and thesis work available to master’s students.
- Bio-Electrical Engineering
- Communications and Signal Processing
- Computer Engineering
- Electric Energy
- Electronics and Photonics
Curriculum
What you study
The degree requires 30 graduate credits: 15 credits of required photonics core courses, 9 to 11 credits of photonics electives, and 4 to 6 credits of electives or research.
- Photonics core, 15 credits. Complete five courses, one from each of five course areas, each with a B- or better. Area 1 is Photonics and Nonlinear Optics (PHY 355). Area 2 is Fundamentals of Photonics (ECE 448) or Electricity and Magnetism (PHY 421). Area 3 is Physics of Semiconductor Devices (ECE 451) or Physics of Solids (PHY 363). Area 4 is Applied Quantum Mechanics for Engineers (ECE 450) or Quantum Mechanics I (PHY 423). Area 5 is Optical Properties of Solids (PHY 396) or Optical Properties of Materials (MAT 416).
- Photonics electives, 9 to 11 credits. Take at least three courses from this list: Advanced Electromagnetics (ECE 402), Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Systems (ECE 422), Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis (MAT 334), Advanced Scanning Electron Microscopy (MAT 427), Crystallography and Diffraction (MAT 333), Introduction to Computational Physics (PHY 380), Quantum Mechanics II (PHY 424), Methods of Mathematical Physics (PHY 428), and Atomic and Molecular Physics (PHY 446).
- Electives or research, 4 to 6 credits. At least 4 credits at the 300 and 400 level from within ECE, in courses not used for the core or the photonics electives, or advisor-approved electives outside ECE. This can include up to 6 credits of thesis (ECE 490) or up to 6 credits of independent study (ECE 492), and up to 6 credits of 200-level courses outside ECE with advisor approval.
- Course-level rules. At least 24 credits must be at the 300 and 400 level, with 18 of them at the 400 level, and research or thesis registration can count toward the 400-level requirement. At least 18 credits must be in the major field, with 15 of them at the 400 level. You need a B- or better in at least 18 credits of your program and in all 300-level courses in the major field, and courses graded C- or better count toward the degree. ECE 300 and courses with an ESLP or EAPC subject code do not count.
| Code | Course | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| PHY 355 | Photonics and Nonlinear Optics | Photonics and nonlinear optics. |
| ECE 448 | Fundamentals of Photonics | Wave optics, Gaussian beams and photonics. |
| PHY 421 | Electricity & Magnetism | Electricity and magnetism. |
| ECE 451 | Physics of Semiconductor Devices | Crystal structure and semiconductor device physics. |
| PHY 363 | Physics of Solids | Physics of metals and semiconductors. |
| PHY 423 | Quantum Mechanics I | Quantum mechanics, part I. |
| MAT 416 | Optical Properties of Materials | Light–matter interaction in solids and liquids. |
The Lehigh University Course Catalog is the official source for degree requirements, and requirements can change from year to year. Confirm your own plan against the catalog listing and with your academic advisor.
Careers
Where this work leads
Photonics engineers work on the optical components, devices and systems that generate, guide, detect and process light.
The work ranges from developing optical materials and semiconductor devices to integrating subsystems and operating optical communications networks. Typical settings include optical communications and networking organizations, component and device manufacturers, materials and instrumentation companies, research laboratories and government agencies. Early roles often center on design, testing and characterization. With experience, people move toward leading development teams, architecting systems, or directing research and technical programs.
Class of 2025 master’s graduates across the Rossin College averaged $100,000 in starting salary.
Tuition and funding
What it costs, and what help is available
Base tuition for this 30-credit degree is $52,050.
- Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required.
- International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
How to apply
What a complete application needs
- Academic record
A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent from a foreign institution, by the time you enroll. A GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale is preferred, and international GPAs are evaluated against that standard. A trend of strengthening grades in your final semesters is taken into account. You will also submit official transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, and letters of recommendation.
- Holistic review
The graduate program director reviews each application as a whole, in consultation with program faculty.
- GRE
GRE scores are neither accepted nor reviewed.
- English proficiency
International applicants submit a TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge English or Pearson Test of English score that meets the minimums in the table below.
- Application fee
$50, non-refundable.
- Deadlines
December 15 for a spring start, May 15 for a summer start, and July 15 for a fall start.
| Test | Overall | Speaking | Writing | Reading | Listening |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 81 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 16 |
| IELTS | 6.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Duolingo | 125 | 125 | 120 | 125 | 110 |
| Cambridge English | 176 | 176 | 169 | 176 | 169 |
| Pearson Test of English | 68 | 53 or above on each band | |||
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the MS in Photonics at Lehigh?
It is a 30-credit master’s degree for students who want to work with light-based technology. You learn to design and test optical components and subsystems and to build and operate optical communications networks, with coursework in nonlinear optics, optical materials, optical devices and components, and optical communications systems.
How many credits is the MS in Photonics?
30 credits: 15 credits of required photonics core courses, 9 to 11 credits of photonics electives, and 4 to 6 credits of electives or research.
How long does the MS in Photonics take to complete?
The program typically takes 1.5 to 2 years.
Do I have to write a thesis or take a comprehensive exam?
No. Neither is required. If you want research experience, up to 6 credits can go to a thesis or up to 6 credits to an independent study.
What courses make up the photonics core?
Fifteen credits across five course areas, taking one course from each and earning a B- or better in each: photonics and nonlinear optics; fundamentals of photonics or electricity and magnetism; semiconductor devices or physics of solids; applied quantum mechanics or quantum mechanics; and the optical properties of solids or of materials.
What photonics electives can I choose?
You take at least three courses, worth 9 to 11 credits, from a list that covers advanced electromagnetics, photovoltaic energy systems, electron microscopy, crystallography and diffraction, computational physics, quantum mechanics II, mathematical physics, and atomic and molecular physics.
What are the admission requirements?
A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent from a foreign institution, by the time you enroll. A GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale is preferred, with consideration for a trend of strengthening grades in your final semesters. Applications are reviewed as a whole by the graduate program director in consultation with faculty.
Is the GRE required for the Master of Science in Photonics?
GRE scores are neither accepted nor reviewed for any Rossin College graduate program.
What English proficiency scores do international applicants need?
Minimum overall scores are 81 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 on the IELTS, 125 on Duolingo, 176 on Cambridge English, and 68 on the Pearson Test of English. Each test also has minimum speaking, writing, reading and listening scores, listed in the application requirements section above.
When are applications due?
December 15 for a spring start, May 15 for a summer start, and July 15 for a fall start.
How is the program delivered?
On campus. Consult the program contact for the current term-by-term format.
What does it cost, and is funding available?
Base tuition is $52,050 for the 30-credit degree. Qualified applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as high as 20% of tuition, with no separate application required. International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants.
Which department offers this program?
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
What do graduates earn?
Class of 2025 master’s graduates across the Rossin College averaged $100,000 in starting salary.
What kind of work does a photonics degree prepare me for?
The program prepares you to practice photonics professionally, designing and testing optical components and subsystems and building and operating optical communications networks.
How do I apply?
Apply through Lehigh’s graduate application. A complete application includes transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, letters of recommendation, English-proficiency scores where applicable, and a $50 application fee. Deadlines are December 15 for a spring start, May 15 for a summer start, and July 15 for a fall start.
What elective courses can I choose from?
Electives are chosen with your advisor. Courses students can choose from include Advanced Electromagnetics, Introduction to Photovoltaic Energy Systems, Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis, Advanced Scanning Electron Microscopy, Crystallography and Diffraction, Introduction to Computational Physics, Quantum Mechanics II, and Methods of Mathematical Physics, among others. The Lehigh course catalog carries the full list.
Contact
Talk to the program
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Packard Laboratory, 19 Memorial Drive West, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering »
General inquiries go to engineering@lehigh.edu.