Category: Photonics

Photonics – the use and study of light

EE majors may take photonics courses for EE elective credit, or may follow requirements to earn a Concentration in Photonics – which is listed on the diploma.

View a sample Photonics Concentration flowchart (2021-2022).

Photonics is using light energy to do work: sensing, imaging, communication. Photonics entails the control of photons in making systems faster, more efficient and more accurate, in a wide range of applications from energy generation to detection to communications and information processing. Robotic sensing and vision, space photography, medical instrumentation, imaging, and satellite communication are a few areas using photonics.

Students study laser systems, optics, and the control of photons/light.

EE2190, Introduction to Photonics, offered spring semesters.

EE3190, Optical Sensing and Imaging, Spring semesters.  Prereq: MA3521/20; JR/SR.

EE3290, Photonic Material, Devices, and Applications, Spring semesters. Prereq: EE3140 or EE3090 or PH2400.

EE4490, Laser Systems and Applications, check schedule for semester offered.  Pre-req: EE3140.

Companies hiring MTU photonics majors include Raytheon, NAVSEA and CRANE. To add the Photonics Concentration, submit a request in MyMichiganTech curriculum changes .

Photonics elective courses (6 credits minimum with the concentration): BE4250,BE4410,EE4240,EE4252, EE4253,  EE4290,  MSE/PH4292, PH3410,PH4510,PH4640

We are unique!  Very few universities offer an undergraduate photonics program.  For additional information on courses, SPIE, OSA or getting involved in research, contact:

  • Dr. Durdu Guney,  EERC 729,    dguney@
  • Dr. Chris Middlebrook,  EERC 628,  ctmiddle@

Cool Beams!

Photonics Electives – for Concentration

BSEE – Photonics Concentration Electives          (see flowcharts)

A minimum of  6 credits of the following are required with the Photonics Concentration:

Be sure to look up latest pre-reqs and semester offerings in the online course descriptions and Schedule of Classes.

BE 4250 (3) Biomedical Optics,   Even Springs      (Lin Alg, Diff Equ, and MA3160)

BE 4410 (3) Medical Imaging,  Odd Springs   (BE 3700 and BE 3710)

EE 4252 (4) Digital Signal Processing and it’s Applications,  Fall     (EE3160)

EE 4253 (3) Real Time Signal Processing,  Spring    (EE4252)

EE  5522(3) Digital Image Processing,   Spring  (EE3190 and EE3160) Not Spring 2014.

MSE/PH 4292 (3) Light and Photonic Materials,   Fall    (PH2200(C))

PH 4510 (2) Introduction to Solid State Physics,   Fall   ((PH2300 or 1360) and PH2400 and (CH11150/51) and Diff Equ)

More about the BSEE – Photonics Concentration.