Programmes

Besides research, the growing influx of optical companies has necessitated a requirement for pool of candidates with suitable background in optical design, manufacturing and testing. Apart from the PhD students, there is also a need to retrain or grow the talent pool in this area. This will be done through a specialization in Optical Engineering embedded in the existing MSc program on Precision Engineering. In addition to the MSc degree, a certificate would be given to the students. This certificate is similar to that offered at the Optical Sciences Centre in Arizona, except that we require the students to do an industry based project in addition to the three courses.

  • Industrial Attachment
  • Final Year Projects
  • MSc (PE) with specialization in Optical Engineering
  • PhD
  • Overseas Students – Internships and Attachments
Optical Engineering is not a well known career path as yet and one of the goals of the centre is to change this mindset. This will be done at all levels starting as early as the High School and Polytechnic and by reaching out to undergraduate students. Currently some high schools have a Photonics Centre and they regularly send their students for research experience at NTU through the Science Mentorship Program. Secondly, University – Polytechnics projects are another source of introducing students to this career option. Finally, Final Year Projects and Industrial Attachments for undergraduate students would open their eyes to a career in Optical Engineering. In addition, interaction with overseas universities and organisations of forums and workshops in conjunction with the Optics and Photonics Society of Singapore would be an avenue for working professionals to explore Optical Engineering as a career option.
It aims to create a pool of talent which can propel the local manufacturing sector into this new technology sector particularly in aspects of Optical Design, Manufacturing and Assembly and Testing and Metrology. A basic degree in Mechanical Engineering provides a strong background in design, manufacturing and testing that lays the foundation for an innovative and problem solving optical engineer. Three broad groupings thus form the basis of this research and each will be driven by a leading professor in the field. The research areas are Optical Metrology and NDT, Hyperspectral Imaging, Diagnostic biomedical optics, and Optical fabrication & laser processing. This is reflected by active collaboration with industry partners such as Rolls-Royce and Panasonic Factory Solutions Asia Pacific (PFSAP).