Course details

Summary

Extend your knowledge in your specialist area at postgraduate level with our honours programme.

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) programme involves one year of full-time study, or two years of part-time study, after you have completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Science.

Photonics

Photonics is the science and technology of light. It has been identified by government foresight groups and other organizations worldwide as one of the key technologies of the 21st century. The global Photonics market size is currently in excess of $500 billion NZD and continues to grow at a much faster pace than global GDP.

The field also known as "optoelectronics" or "electro–optics" is now having a significant impact on society. Many industries are finding that the equipment they service or develop contains optical or photonic components as well as traditional electronics; therefore there is a growing demand in all developed nations for personnel with an understanding of this technology. Applications of photonics can be seen in computer and cell phone displays, advanced manufacturing, LED based lighting systems, new photovoltaic clean energy generators, laser micro–fabrication and the ever–increasing applications of laser technology in medicine. For example, DVD players, laser printers and supermarket scanners are now commonplace, yet each device includes a laser and relies on technology that was not available just a few years ago. By far the largest and most important application of photonics is in optical communications, the phenomenal development of the World Wide Web is only possible because of the enormous bandwidths now available for data transmission through optical fibers.

Students entering this programme should have a good background in Physics and Mathematics. The specialization involves a solid grounding in these subjects with extensive specialist training in photonic and electronic engineering, advanced physics and mathematical electronics in subsequent years.

Core papers:

30 points: PHYS 726, PHYS 727

45 points: PHYS 787 (project)

at least 15 points from PHYSICS 701, ELECTENG 732, 726

Recommended papers:

15 points: PHYS 731, PHYS 754, PHYS 780

or other 600 or 700 level courses in Physics or related subjects approved by the Head of Department

Career opportunities

In New Zealand and in all developed nations there is growing demand for staff with an understanding of optics as well as electronics. At the University of Auckland, the photonics programme has been designed with particular input from the local industries most likely to recruit graduates. Students from this program now work in the Photonics industry around New Zealand: Fisher and Paykel Healthcare, Vodafone, Tait Electronics, Cubic Defense, Downer, Coherent Solutions, Southern Photonics, and the world: Thorlabs, Finisar, Ciena, Foxconn, Edmund Optics.

Further study options

• Master of Information Technology
• Master of Energy
• Master of Science
• Master of Speech Language Therapy Practice
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Bachelor of Science (Honours) other subjects:

Applied Mathematics, Bioinformatics, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Logic and Computation, Mathematics, Medical Physics and Image Technology, Medical Statistics, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Physics, Physiology, Psychology, Statistics.

Entry criteria

Applicants must have completed the BSc or equivalent with 90 points above Stage 2 have at least a B average in 45 points above Stage 2 in the relevant subject major. Three B passes at Stage 3 in the subject major and three C passes in other Stage 3 courses. Approval from the relevant head of department, director of school, or equivalent. English language requirements:IELTS 6.5; TOEFL (iBT) 90; TOEFL (paper-based) 575; CAE or CPE 176; PTE 58; MELAB 85.