Photonics and Optics

While 20th-century technology was defined by the growth of electronics, the 21st century belongs to photonics. LEDs will light households powered by photovoltaic panels and filled with displays and cameras communicating by optical fiber to distant owners wearing virtual reality glasses. Laser 3D printing will transform manufacturing. New microscopes and telescopes will peer into the depths of living cells and distant galaxies. 

The MS-EE on Coursera's photonics curriculum provides a firm theoretical foundation on the generation, modulation, radiative or guided transmission, sensing, and detection of optical signals. It also covers optical telecommunications, medical instrumentation, photovoltaic power generation, information processing, optical instruments, and environmental sensing. While some of these industries are mature, photonics continues to grow into new industries such as LED lighting and on-chip silicon photonics for multi-core CPUs.

Looking for a specific course? Check out the Course List.

   Specializations

Optical Engineering Specialization (Pathway) (3 credits)

Instructor: Robert McLeod, PhD, Professor

Active Optical Devices Specialization (3 credits)

Instructor: Juliet Gopinath, PhD, Professor

Quantum Mechanics for Engineers Specialization (3 credits)

Instructor: Wounjhang Park, PhD, Professor

Semiconductor Devices Specialization (Pathway) (3 credits)

Instructor: Wounjhang Park, PhD, Professor

  Certificates

To complete a certificate, you must complete the following required specializations/courses.

Semiconductor Photonics Graduate Certificate (9 credits)

Required specializations:

  • Optical Engineering Specialization
  • Semiconductor Specialization
  • Active Optical Devices Specialization

  Watch Semiconductor Photonics Graduate Certificate webinar recording to learn more.