Overview

An increasing amount of today’s consumer, industrial and business products incorporate optical and optomechanical systems. These systems are essential to virtually every industry including; defense, medical, clean energy, nanotechnology, automotive, electronics, communications, entertainment, computers and consumer products. The Optical Engineering and Optical Instrument Design Certificate Programs address the growing demand for skilled professionals who can conceptualize, design and manufacture these optical and optomechanical components, systems and instruments.

Who Should Attend

The Optical Engineering Program gives students the skills and experience needed to enter this growing field. The program will also benefit those entry and mid-level professionals who need to broaden their knowledge and improve their career options. The Optical Instrument Design Program provides advanced study options for experienced optical engineering professionals allowing them to address a wider range of optical and optomechanical design issues. The elective courses provide an opportunity for students to develop specialized skills related to their professional needs or personal interests.

Certificate Prerequisite

Candidates for both programs should complete EECS_X493, Introduction to Lens Design or possess equivalent experience or education.

Certificate Requirements

An Optical Engineering Certificate is awarded upon the completion of 15 credit units (9 required and 6 electives credit units), with a grade of “B” or better.

An Optical Instrument Design Certificate is awarded upon the completion of 15 credit units (6 required and 9 electives credit units), with a grade of “B” or better.

On-site Training Available

Through Corporate Training, we can deliver this program or customize one that fits your organization's specific needs. Visit Corporate Training or call (949) 824-1847 for information.

English Proficiency Requirement
All certificate programs at UC Irvine Extension (classroom and online formats) require professional-level English language proficiency in listening and note-taking, reading comprehension and vocabulary, written expression, and oral presentation. If you would like to refine your English language proficiency prior to beginning one of our programs, please see our English Language Programs.

Program Benefits

• Gain useful insights and practical skills for designing and engineering optical and optomechanical components and instruments
• Learn about the latest technologies in optical engineering including new optical materials and the latest cost effective manufacturing techniques
• Develop skills with industry standard optical and mechanical software tools
• Learn to develop innovative approaches for optical instrument design and analysis
• Hands-on design courses provide skills in manual design, computer simulation, and the art of creating optical systems
• Learn how to understand and effectively communicate details of optical/optomechanical technical specifications to manufacturer’s and quality control personnel

Advisory Committee

• Ed Arriola, Chief Engineer, LightWorks Optics
• Arnie Banzensky, Field Sales Manager, Schott Glass Technologies
• Valentina Doushkina, M.Sc., Director of Engineering, Qioptiq Polymer
• Derek Dunn-Rankin, Ph.D., Professor & Chair, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, UCI
• Mark Gallagher, Ph.D., J.D, Partner, Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP
• Charles Gaugh, Technical Director & Sales Manager, Davidson Optronics
• G.P. Li, Ph.D., Professor, School of Engineering, Director, California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, UCI
• Jeff Padgett, Optomechanical Engineering Technician, Wavetec Vision, Inc.
• Forrest Reynard, President, Reynard Corporation, Advanced Optical Solutions
• T. Scott Rowe, Principal, Rowe Technical Design
• Donn M. Silberman, M.S.Founding Director, Optics Institute of Southern California, Sr. Applications Engineer, PI (Physik Instrumente)
• James D. Trolinger, Ph.D., Co-Founder, MetroLaser, Inc.
• Bruce Tromberg, Ph.D., Professor, College of Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Director, Beckman Laser Institute, UCI
• Wytze van der Veer, Ph.D., Director of the UC Irvine Laser Spectroscopy Center, UCI
• Desiré Whitmore, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher, UC Berkeley, Department of Chemistry