Engineering - Optical Engineering

MEngSc Optical Engineering
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

Europe is a leading player in optics and photonics. The European photonics industry is growing four times faster than the European GDP, which underlines the continuing economic potential of light technologies for the future. Optical technologies play key roles in many areas including biomedical imaging, astronomy, quality control, security, sensing and telecommunications. The ready availability of multi-camera mobile phones paves the way for new applications as computational approaches integrate with traditional optical design. Very exciting innovative technologies are rapidly emerging, driven by the ability to display and capture large amounts of real-time optical data. Optical engineers are involved in identifying and designing these systems, with the aim of improving people's lives, generating employment and creating new business opportunities.

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Course Description
- Students will gain an advanced understanding of a broad range of areas within optical engineering, such as biomedical signal processing, optoelectronics and biomedical imaging.

- Delivered by a highly research-intensive School composed of many internationally high-profile academics including five IEEE fellows (Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers), an OSA fellow (The Optical Society) and a SPIE fellow (International Society for Optics & Photonics). This gives students the opportunity to participate in masters research projects linked with ongoing graduate research.

- Research Project topics are spread across a wide range, but related to and drawing on the topics covered in the taught modules.

Programme Outcomes
Advanced knowledge and understanding of the mathematics, sciences, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning optical engineering with a special emphasis on Fourier optics.

The ability to identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex engineering problems.

The ability to perform the detailed design of novel systems and processes using analysis and knowledge of advanced optical systems.

The ability to design and conduct experiments, and apply and evaluate a range of standard and specialised research tools, analytical techniques and methods of enquiry.

The ability to work effectively as an individual and in teams, together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning, thus offering a foundation for entry into advanced research programmes.

The ability to communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with the engineering community and with society at large.

Stage 1 - Core
Biomedical Imaging EEEN40620
Optical Engineering EEEN40630
Optoelectronics EEEN40640
MEngSc Optical Project EEEN40670
Professional Engineering (Management) MEEN40430

Stage 1 - Option
Numerical Algorithms ACM40290
Biological Imaging BIOL40560
Hyperspectral imaging BSEN40500
Optical Sensing Technology BSEN40520
Modelling and Simulation EEEN30150
Biomedical Signal Processing EEEN30160
Entrepreneurship in Engineering EEEN40300
Optimisation Techniques for Engineers EEEN40580
Optics & Lasers PHYC30080
Applied Optics PHYC40210
Nanooptics and biophotonics PHYC40400
Nanomechanics - from single molecules to single cells PHYC40430
Biophysics at the Nanoscale and Nanodevices PHYC40480
Advanced Atomic Force Microscopy for Bionanoscience PHYC40560
Introduction to medical image analysis and machine learning RDGY30440
Medical Imaging (Clin/Res) RDGY30520
Quantitative Methods for Engineers STAT40690

An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ Level 8 ) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalent in an Electrical, Electronic, Computer or Optical Engineering programme is required.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

Students meeting the programme's academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD's International Pre-Master's Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/int%20pmp/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

M.Eng.Sc Optical Engineering FT (T348)
Deadline Rolling *

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

1 years full-time.

Career & Graduate Study Opportunity
There are excellent job opportunities for optical engineers in the display, lighting, virtual reality, robotic and drone areas. Industries include aerospace, telecommunications, semiconductor, biomedical/healthcare and manufacturing. However, it is clear that the AR/VR revolution is moving optical engineering centre stage for a wider range of new and emerging industries.

Established employers in Ireland include both multinationals and indigenous companies, e.g. Andor, Carl Zeiss, Huawei, Intel/Movidius, Qualcomm, and Sensl, to name but a few.