Overview

Calvin's optics program offers career-oriented, hands-on training for students in physics and engineering. The six-course minor features classes in electromagnetism, mechanics and gravity, electricity and magnetism, and laboratory work.

Careers in Optics

• Optical engineer
• Optical information processor
• Imaging technician
• Teacher
• More career opportunities

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Join the department for seminars on cutting-edge research; gain valuable experience as a homework grader, lab assistant or observatory assistant (operating Calvin's telescopes); enjoy department gatherings at professors' homes.

Course Requirements 2012-13

Optics

(At least 21 semester hours)

• PHYS-133 Introductory Physics: Mechanics and Gravity
• PHYS-235 Introductory Physics: Electricity and Magnetism
• PHYS-246 Waves, Optics, and Optical Technology
• One course from:
  • PHYS-345 Electromagnetism
  • ENGR-302 Engineering Electromagnetics
• PHYS-346 Advanced Optics
• PHYS-386 Advanced Optics Laboratory

Students pursuing a physics major and optics minor must follow college guidelines for overlap between a major and a minor; this is facilitated by the option in the physics major of substituting upper-level courses for introductory ones.

Scholarships

New students are automatically considered for general academic scholarships ranging from $1,000-15,000 based on a careful review of their application materials.

For a complete listing of departmental scholarships available to first-year students, use the Scholarship Search ».

Faculty

Teach This

Interested in teaching? You can gain certification in Optics as a:

Calvin's teacher education program also contains education-specific course requirements that you must complete prior to certification. See course requirements for:

• Elementary education
• Secondary education