Documents to be Submitted for Admission

1. UNC Charlotte online application for graduate admission.
2. Official GRE scores.
3. Official TOEFL scores (if the previous degree was from a country where English is not the official language).
4. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended should be uploaded to the application. (Applicants offered admission will be required to submit official transcripts.)
5. A minimum of three letters of reference.
6. A Statement of Purpose essay detailing the applicant’s motivation and career goals.

Additional Admission Requirements

All applicants seeking admission into the Optical Science and Engineering Ph.D. program must fulfill the university’s general requirements for graduate admission at the Ph.D. level. Additional requirements for admission into the program are:

1. A baccalaureate or master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, Optics, or a related field with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.2 (A = 4.0) in the major. In the case a candidate presents a master’s degree at application, a minimum graduate GPA of 3.2 (A = 4.0) on all graduate work is required.
2. A minimal combined score of 1100 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE General Test (tests taken prior to August 1, 2011). A minimum combined score of 301 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE revised General Test (tests taken on or after August 1, 2011).
3. A minimum score of 557 (paper-based test) or 83 (Internet-based test) on the TOEFL if the previous degree was from a country where English is not the official language.
4. Positive letters of recommendation.
5. Students may be required to take undergraduate courses determined by the Interdisciplinary Optics Program Committee on an individual basis. Such courses will be specified at the time of admission into the program.

Degree Requirements

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Optical Science and Engineering is awarded for completion of scholarly research that advances the knowledge base in the field of that research. Evidence of this is demonstrated by a successful dissertation defense. Additionally, recipients of this degree should demonstrate mastery of relevant subject matter and a potential for success in future research and teaching.

The minimum requirement for the Ph.D. degree in Optical Science and Engineering is 72 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Each candidate for the Ph.D. degree in Optical Science and Engineering must:

1. Present evidence of competency in the Core Curriculum by completing 15 credit hours (5 courses) in the Core Curriculum
2. Complete a minimum of 9 credit hours (3 courses) in formal courses having an OPTI prefix in addition to the Core Curriculum
3. Complete 2 semesters (2 credit hours) of Seminar (OPTI 8110 ) during the first 2 semesters of residency and complete 1 semester (1 credit hour) of Seminar (OPTI 8110 ) during each academic year of residency in the program
4. Complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of dissertation research (OPTI 8991 )
5. Present a Plan of Study detailing all course and examination requirements
6. Successfully complete the written and oral qualifying exam
7. Present a Ph.D. Research Plan
8. Successfully defend the Ph.D. dissertation

The remaining credit hours must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the student’s Advisory Committee and the Optics Program Director.

A student in the Ph.D. program must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework attempted for the degree. An accumulation of two C grades will result in suspension from the program. A grade of U earned in any course will result in suspension from the program. An accumulation of three C grades or two U grades will result in termination from the program.

Admission to Candidacy

Students are admitted to candidacy upon completion of the Core Curriculum with a GPA of 3.4 or above, appointment of a Ph.D. advisor, formation of an Advisory Committee, presentation of the Plan of Study, successful completion of the Qualifying Exam, and approval of the Research Plan. These steps to candidacy must be completed within three years following admission to the program.

Core Curriculum

All graduates of the program must demonstrate competency in the Core Curriculum. Students may do so by completing the 5 Core Courses with a grade of B or above in each course and a GPA of 3.4 or above in those courses. Failure to demonstrate competency in this manner will result in termination from the program. Well-prepared students may demonstrate competency in the Core Curriculum by earning a grade of Pass on one or more of the five sections of a Core examination. In those cases, credit hours that would have been earned in the courses may be replaced by credit hours in OPTI 8991 - Dissertation Research  and/or other electives approved by the student’s Advisory Committee and the Optics Program Director.

Dissertation Advisor and Advisory Committee

Each student in the program must have a Dissertation Advisor and an Advisory Committee before being admitted to candidacy. The student should select a dissertation advisor before the end of the second year of residency. The student and the dissertation advisor jointly determine the advisory committee. The Dissertation Advisor serves as Chair of the Advisory Committee and must be a member of the Optics Faculty at UNC Charlotte. The advisory committee must have at least 4 members, the majority of which must be members of the Optics Faculty. All members of the advisory committee must be members of the Graduate Faculty. Composition of the Advisory Committee must be approved by the Optics Program Director and the Dean of the Graduate School.

Plan of Study

All students must prepare a Plan of Study before the end of their fourth semester following admission to the program. The Plan of Study should show in detail how the student will meet the 72 credit hour minimum. The Plan of Study must be approved by the Advisory Committee.

Qualifying Exam

After successful completion of the Core Curriculum, Ph.D. students will participate in a written and oral qualifying examination administered by the Optics Faculty. If a student fails the qualifying examination, it may be retaken once. If a student fails the exam a second time, the student’s enrollment in the Ph.D. program will be terminated.

Research Plan

After successful completion of the Core Curriculum requirement and approval of the Plan of Study, the student will prepare a written Research Plan and an oral defense of that Plan presented in a public seminar. The Research Plan must be approved by the Advisory Committee. The Research Plan must demonstrate: (a) the student’s knowledge of the relevant literature base, (b) knowledge of the specific research problems and methods of studies, and (c) a research plan that, if successfully completed, will lead to an approved dissertation.

Dissertation

Each student will complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of dissertation research. The student must present a written dissertation to the Advisory Committee. The student must defend the dissertation at a presentation before the Optics Faculty. Upon approval of the written dissertation and oral presentation by the Advisory Committee, the student has successfully completed the dissertation requirement. The dissertation must be written using a format acceptable to the Graduate School.

Residency Requirement

The student must satisfy the residence requirement for the program by completing 20 credit hours of continuous enrollment in coursework/dissertation credit. Residence is considered continuous if the student is enrolled in one or more courses in successive semesters until 20 credit hours are earned.

Time Limit for Completion of Program Requirements

All program requirements must be completed within 7 calendar years from the date the student is admitted into the program.

Transfer Credit Accepted

Up to 30 credit hours of approved coursework may be transferred from other accredited master’s and doctoral programs. Only courses in which the student earned a grade of B or above (or its equivalent) can be transferred. No more than 6 credit hours of approved coursework taken as a post-baccalaureate student may be applied toward the degree. Credit for dissertation research cannot be transferred.

Assistantships

Support for beginning graduate students is usually a teaching assistantship. Continuing students are usually supported by research assistantships.

Comprehensive Examination

The dissertation defense is the final examination.

Language Requirement

The program has no language requirement.

Core Curriculum Plan

A student in the Ph.D. program should plan to complete the core curriculum, shown below, during the first year of residence. Courses taken after completion of the core curriculum are elective, but must be approved by the student’s Advisor and Advisory Committee. Courses in the core curriculum are prerequisites to elective OPTI courses. Students in the Ph.D. program are to enroll  in courses having an 8XXX number.