Bachelor of Optical Technology
What is Optical Technology?
Optical technologies involve devices and systems which use both light and electrical signals in their functioning. Photonic devices and systems which use only light are covered as a subset of optical technology within this degree. Examples of optoelectronic/photonic technologies include laser systems, fibre-optic communications systems, remote sensing systems, medical diagnosis systems and optical information systems. The degree covers the design and function of such systems at the system and device level as well as the relevant physics, electronics and mathematics that allow understanding of the operating mechanisms of these devices and systems.
Dictionary of Photonics (Laurin Publishing Company, Pittsfield , USA)
Optoelectronic: Pertaining to a device that responds to optical power, emits or modifies optical radiation, or utilises optical radiation for its internal operation. Any device that operates as an electrical-to-optical or optical-to-electrical transducer.
Photonics: The technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The science includes light emission, transmission, deflection, amplification and detection by optical components and instruments, lasers and other light sources, fibre-optics, electro-optical instrumentation, related hardware and electronics, and sophisticated systems. The range of applications of photonics extends from energy generation to detection to communication and information processing.
Optical Technology at Macquarie
The BOptTech was introduced at Macquarie University, in 1990. The elements of the program that have been identified by employers and graduates alike as particularly enhancing employability are the international standard teaching laboratories, where more than $1,000,000 has been expended, the industrial project in the third year which gives students experience in the real workplace, and the inclusion of technology management in the curriculum.
The overall program's content profile has enabled it to be accredited by the Institution of Engineers, Australia, for the graduates to enter the Institution as Engineering Technologists. It has also been accredited by the Australian Institute of Physics as a physics degree. The introduction of the degree has led to significant growth in student numbers.
The graduates of the Optical Twchnology degree have been employed in three main areas: sales/service engineers of high tech equipment; research/professional officers in universities, government and industry research laboratories; and optical communications network support engineers and managers. About 20% of the graduates have also completed the Honours Bachelor of Technology degree, in four years.
About 10% of graduates go on to higher research degrees. Macquarie's major research centres with recognised strengths in laser and optical physics and engineering, materials physics and electronics provide many attractive projects and opportunities for research. The academic managers of these research programs are the same staff who lecture and supervise laboratories in the BOptTech program.
Assumed knowledge for entry to the program includes HSC 3-unit mathematics and HSC 2-unit physics or equivalent.
Accreditation by AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS
Accreditation by THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, AUSTRALIA
