Why this course?
The course explores the versatile field of optical technologies which supports many aspects of modern society. Optical technologies are expected to be a key enabling technology of the 21st century.
The course is based on the strong record of optical technologies across research divisions in the department of physics and the collaborating institutions:
You can choose classes relevant to your career interests from a wide range of topics including:
- photonics and photonic materials
- nanosciences
- optics at the physics-life sciences interface
- laser-based plasma physics
- quantum optics and quantum information technology
You’ll put the knowledge gained in the taught components to use in a cutting-edge research project.
The course gives you the opportunity of exploring and mastering a large range of optical technologies. It enables you to put devices in the context of an optical system and/or application.
Who’s the course suitable for?
It’s suitable for those with a science or engineering background wanting to gain a vocational degree or to obtain a solid foundation for an optics-related PhD programme.
It’s also appropriate for those who’ve worked in industry and want to consolidate their future career by further academic studies.
You’ll study
The course consists of two semesters of taught classes followed by a three- month research project.
Facilities
This course is run by the Department of Physics. The department’s facilities include:
- well-equipped optical labs for semiconductor photonics, semiconductor spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime analysis.
- the Ultrafast Chemical Physics lab with state-of-the-art femtosecond laser systems for multi-dimensional IR spectroscopy
- cutting edge high power laser research with SCAPA, the highest power laser in a UK university
- a scanning electron microscopy suite for analysis of hard and soft matter
- access to top-of-the-range high-performance computer facilities
- industry standard cleanroom in the Institute of Photonics
Course content
Compulsory classes
Research Skills
This course introduces core skills needed to obtain research funding and successfully manage the resulting research in both an academic and a commercial environment.
Project Training
This course develops your transferable skills (communication skills, literature survey) in preparation for the project undertaken on the course.
It also helps you in developing an understanding of the management of projects in an industrial setting and preparation for successful working in technological industries.
Project
You'll undertake a cutting edge research project in either one of the research groups of the Department of Physics or with collaborating departments and institutions (Chemistry, Institute of Photonics, Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Centre for Biophotonics).
Elective classes
Introductory Nanoscience
The course addresses basic concepts relating to nanoscale physics before progressing to the techniques associated with production and characterisation of nanomaterials/nanostructures, and their potential impact in engineering, energy and healthcare.
Topics in Photonics: Laser & Nonlinear Optics
The course provides an introduction to laser physics, laser optics and nonlinear optics as required for the work in many photonic labs.
Optical Design
The course provides an introduction to lens design and the characterisation and optimisation of system performance including practical exercises with Oslo software.
Experimental Quantum & Atom Optics
The course provides an introduction to basic phenomena and experimental techniques in quantum and atom optics with a focus on laser cooling and Bose-Einstein condensation.
Advanced Topics in Photonics: Ultrafast Physics & Plasmas
The course provides an introduction to laser-plasma interaction, in particular with very high power and ultrashort pulses, and the resulting applications in radiation sources from the terahertz to the X-ray region, laser fusion and laser-based particle acceleration.
Device Microfabrication-Principle & Practice
This course introduces the principles, facilities and processes for device fabrication and cleanroom operation underpinning modern semiconductor photonics and other optical technologies.
Photonics Materials & Devices (topics in solid state physics)
The course provides an introduction into semiconductor physics, semiconductor electronics and semiconductor photonics with an outlook on micro and nano-structures and current hot topics.
Advanced Photonics Devices
This introduces advanced photonics devices including their principles and applications (quantum confinement, waveguide optics, photonic and electronic bandgaps, photonic crystals).
Theoretical Quantum Information
The course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and theoretical ideas of quantum information processing.
Quantum Optics, Nonlinearity & Open Quantum Systems
The course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and theoretical ideas of quantum optics, open quantum systems and nonlinear optics.
Optical Communication (Photonic Systems)
This module enables you to develop a basic conceptual understanding and working knowledge of fibre optic communications systems and their component parts addressing basic principles, engineering, design and performance limits.
Learning & teaching
Our teaching is based on lectures, tutorials, workshops, laboratory experiments, and research projects.
Assessment
The assessment includes written examinations, coursework, presentations and a talk, oral examination and report presenting and defending the research project.
Entry requirements
Minimum second-class honours degree, or international equivalent, in physics or a related subject, eg Engineering Physics, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Ophthalmology, Material Science, Astronomy.
Applicants from an engineering or life science discipline need to have had sufficient exposure to quantum mechanics and solid state physics, eg by semi-conductor technology courses, or need to demonstrate that they can acquire the necessary background. Contact us about your case and the possibility of conversion courses
English language requirements
You must have an English language minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (with no component below 5.5).
We offer comprehensive English language courses for students whose IELTS scores are below 6.0. Please see ELTD for full details.
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non EU/UK) who do not meet the academic entry
requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde. The Pre-Masters programme
provides progression to a number of degree options.
Upon successful completion, you will be able to progress to this degree course at the
University of Strathclyde.
Fees & funding
2019/20
All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.
Scotland/EU
Rest of UK
International
How can I fund my course?
A number of scholarships are available for outstanding UK, EU and international applicants. For details, please visit our scholarship search.
Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students
Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We have a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Please note
The fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year. Find out more about fees.
Careers
The course gives you a thorough basis for a successful job in the photonics, optical and life sciences industries. It provides the basis to excel in more interesting and challenging posts.
The course can also be an entry route into an optics-related PhD programme.
Over the years, many of Strathclyde’s optics and photonics graduates have found successful employment at the large variety of local laser and optics companies as well as with national and international corporations.
