Thomas, L. D., & McNair, L. D. (2011, June), An Overview of U.S. Optics Programs  Paper presented at 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, BC. 10.18260/1-2--17481

\bibitem{asee_peer_17481}
  Thomas, L. D., \& McNair, L. D. (2011, June), \emph{An Overview of U.S. Optics Programs}
  Paper presented at 2011 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition, Vancouver, BC.
  10.18260/1-2--17481

Lauren D. Thomas and Lisa D. McNair.  "An Overview of U.S. Optics Programs".  2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, BC, 2011, June.  ASEE Conferences, 2011.  https://peer.asee.org/17481 Internet.  17 Apr, 2024

\bibitem{asee_peer_17481}
  Lauren D. Thomas and Lisa D. McNair.
  "An Overview of U.S. Optics Programs".
  \emph{2011 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition, Vancouver, BC, 2011, June}.
  ASEE Conferences, 2011.
  https://peer.asee.org/17481 Internet.  17 Apr, 2024

@INPROCEEDINGS{asee_peer_17481
author = "Lauren D. Thomas and Lisa D. McNair"
title = "An Overview of U.S. Optics Programs"
booktitle = "2011 ASEE Annual Conference \& Exposition"
year = "2011"
month = "June"
address = "Vancouver, BC"
publisher = "ASEE Conferences"
note = {https://peer.asee.org/17481}
number = {10.18260/1-2--17481}
}

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -                          An Overview of U.S. Optics ProgramsOptical engineering has existed as a specialty within electrical engineering, physics, materialscience, and other academic departments and a significant industry focus for over 70 years. Formost of that period only a few degree-granting programs existed in the United States, with thefirst at the University of Rochester. In the last decade, however, several degree-grantingprograms in optical engineering or optics and photonics have been established. Documenting thedevelopment of these educational programs in optics has not been completed, yet such anendeavor would yield valuable insight on the emergence of this interdisciplinary field. Trackingthis development is critical for examining and constructing the pedagogical approaches used totrain engineers skilled in both theoretical and applied science that draws from various disciplines.This paper will review the degree-granting optics programs in the U.S. by comparing curricula,faculty background, and student enrollment characteristics.Data for this synthesis of information about American optics programs has been collectedthrough web search, literature review, and information available from the Optical Society ofAmerica and SPIE’s optics education website. The mission statements of departments are alsoexamined in this work, as well as initial interviews with program leaders. To limit the scope, onlydepartments and programs that offer degrees specifically in optics and photonics or opticalengineering are reviewed. Similarities are revealed in course offerings, curricular design, andresearch specialties within optics of these departments. Many of the newer departments have hadthe benefit of being established in an engineering culture that places more value in incorporatingengineering education theory and willingness to change its approach to training students.Through interviews of program leaders, we also find evidence of scholarly teaching, themesfrom Educating the Engineer of 2020, and the Grand Challenges for Engineering beingintegrated into the department culture and approach to learning.Through this initial review of program development in the field of optics, identify patterns ofhow this interdisciplinary field is growing with inputs and outcomes in physics, engineering, andthe sciences.
AU  - Lauren D. Thomas
AU  - Lisa D. McNair
CY  - Vancouver, BC
DA  - 2011/06/26
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - An Overview of U.S. Optics Programs
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/17481
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--17481
ER  -