Photonics

Photonics

Master of science (2 year) 2 years

Have you ever thought of how important light is in the technology surrounding us? Light plays a central role in car sensors, internet, cameras in drones, solar cells – and so much more! These technologies build on photonics, the physics of photons.

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Requirements

Bachelor in physics, electrical engineering or similar

Admission requirements

Application deadline:

April 15th
International applicants:
December 1st

Study start
August 2022
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Contact info

Coordinators:
Achim Kohler
Johanne H. Solheim

Admission:
admission@nmbu.no 

Photonics is considered a Key Enabling Technology by the EU, and the ongoing development of advanced light sources and detectors will continue to be vital for Europe in the future. Innovation in photonics will contribute to solve societal challenges and create sustainable economies. 

In autumn 2022 NMBU will, as the first University in Norway, offer a master’s program in photonics. The master’s program extends over two years, and provides a solid fundament in physics, mathematics, computer science and sensor technology.  

As a student in the field of photonics, you will be part of an established professional environment at REALTEK, and you will have the opportunity to work closely with research and development in the field. Through Student Research Labs, you can gain practical experience with research, and participate in projects in various research groups or in collaboration with industry. Or maybe you have an interest in entrepreneurship and want to learn more about innovation? You can join both Student Reasarch Labs and innovation when you study photonics.

Through the master's program in photonics, we collaborate closely with the University of Oslo. To ensure that we educate attractive candidates for the labour market, we have also established close contact with relevant industry partners. You can read more about our partners below. 

Applicants must demonstrate English language ability in accordance with the NMBU regulations for programs taught in English. You can find general information on admission to NMBU here. 

Job opportunities

This master's program provides a solid background in natural sciences, with a sought-after expertise in photonics. In Norway, we have a well-established photonics industry that is constantly looking for good candidates, and expertise in the field is in demand. As a graduate, you can apply for a job at for example: 

  • Norsk Elektro Optikk (NEO)  
  • Barco  
  • SINTEF 
  • Nofima  
  • Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt (FFI)  
  • Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace (KDA)  
  • Nexans  
  • Institutt for Energiteknikk  
  • Holger Hartmann  
  • GasSecure
  • Norxe AS
  • Justervesenet
  • Optronics

Read more about your future employers here.  

Read interviews with some of REALTEK's former students here.

Learning outcomes

Throughout the photonics study program, you will:

  • get theoretical and practical knowledge about the physics of light, optics and optical systems
  • get theoretical and practical knowledge about light sources, waveguides and sensors
  • develop skills in evaluation and analysis of optical sensor data
  • learn computational methods in photonics
  • learn techniques in hyperspectral imaging and spectroscopy
  • learn application of photonics in areas such as solar cells, biophotonics and robotics
  • learn to apply photonic devices for real-world problems by project work and master thesis that are integrated in research and industry applications
  • develop skills to contribute to new thinking and innovation processes

Exchange opportunities

There are good opportunities for you to take selected required and elective courses in your study plan abroad, within the timeframe of the study program. The student advisor can approve the plan to integrate studies abroad. NMBU has exchange agreements with many universities, for example in Canada, USA, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Philippines and Chile. (For more information about exchange agreements contact the student advisor at the faculty.)

Admission requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification and a completed bachelor's degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor's degree in physics, electrical engineering or similar. There is a minimum mark requirement of C for admission.

Applicants must demonstrate English language ability in accordance with the NMBU regulations for programmes taught in English. You can find general information on admission for international students to NMBU here.

A motivation letter is mandatory for the admission process and must follow your application.


Study structure

Programme structure

With a masters degree in photonics, you gain a general competence in the three main fields within photonics; light generation, light transmission and sensor technology. Optics, electrodynamics and materials science are key topics. In addition, you will gain knowledge of computational tools used in the industry. You will be able to immerse yourself in sensor fusion, optical systems, camera technology, computer science, analytical methods and process, among other things. 

The Master of Photonics offers two main directions 
Both fields of study provide a valuable combination of theory and practice. Through laboratory courses, you get practical knowledge of different aspects of photonics. How about building a prototype of a camera? Or how about researching handheld food control sensors? 

  • Photonics engineering: here you learn about complex systems where photonics plays a central role, about optical components and about how light interacts with matter. This specialization provides expertise which is relevant in many exciting applications. Two examples are optical design for cameras and the development of sensors for gas measurement. 
  • Photonics metrology: you learn how photons carry information and how photonics is used in measurements. Key areas are hyperspectral imaging, spectroscopy and data analysis. Examples of applications are material characterization for solar cell research, medical diagnostics and interpretation of advanced sensor data - to name a few. 

As a student at NMBU, you can adapt the study plan to your background and interests. There are many exciting subjects at NMBU that are relevant to a photonics student. You can also take courses at the University of Oslo (UiO) or the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN). You can set up your own study program in collaboration with the student advisor and the academic staff. 

Below you see an example plan for a study course in photonics engineering, and one for photonics metrology. Here, it is assumed that you have taken electrodynamics and quantum physics as part of your bachelor's degree. You can also take these subjects during the course of your master's degree if you do not already have them. The plans are still under development, so we reserve the right to make changes. 

 For a more detailed program structure, see here

 Photonics engineering

 

1st year

 2nd year  

August

DAT121 (5)

 

Autumn

TEK4010 (10)

GMPE340 (5)

MATH250 (10)

PHO305* (10)

TBM200 (10)

INF250 (10)

January

 

 

Spring

FYS245 (10)

PHO302* (5)

FYS203* (5)

TEK5050 (10)

M30-MF (30)

June

 

 

 

 

Photonics metrology

 

1st year

2nd year

August

DAT121 (5)

 

Autumn

TEK4010 (10)

GMPE340 (5)

MATH250 (10)

PHO305* (10)

FYS301** (5+5)

INF250 (10)

January

 

 

Spring

PHO302* (5) 

DAT200 (10)

FYS203* (5)

FYS245 (10)

M30-MF (30)

June

FYS301** (5+5) 

 

* Photonics signature courses:
PHO305: Light sources, waveguides and detectors (10 ECTS)
PHO302: Computational photonics (5 ECTS)
FYS203: Advanced optics lab (5 ECTS)

**FYS301 will run over the course of two years (in June year 1 and autumn year 2). You get 5 points per semester, so in total the course gives a credit of 10 points.