University of Rochester Institute of Optics

The Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester grants Masters of Science and doctoral degrees through the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The MS program can be completed between two or four semesters of full-time study, and allows students to pursue a broad education in optics, or to specialize in areas such as:

• Medical optics
• Optical communications
• Electro-optics
• Optical materials
• Laser engineering

The doctoral program prepares students for high-level research in academia, industry, or national laboratories. By the end of the second semester, all PhD students join a research group and begin working toward a doctoral thesis.

Through an agreement between Xavier University and the University of Rochester, Xavier graduates who meet the criteria outlined below will, on application, be admitted to the Master's Degree Program in Optics at UR, and will be offered financial support in the form of a 50% tuition scholarship for the first semester of studies, renewable for the duration of studies for those students making satisfactory progress (as defined by UR according to its policies) toward the degree. The application fee will be waived.

To be eligible for admission, Xavier University students must meet the following criteria and submit their completed admissions by the program deadlines:

• Have an overall grade point average of at least 3.3/4.0 in their major.
• Have done independent research either through an independent study project in physics or an REU project.
• Obtain a minimum GRE score of 75th percentile in the quantitative section of the General GRE Examination (the Advanced GRE exam is not required).
• Be admissible to the University of Rochester according to current university policies.
• Have the endorsement of the Xavier University physics department faculty.

For more information, please contact Dr. Justin Link, Chair of the Physics Department at Xavier University, and visit the Institute of Optics website.