麻豆原创

The first graduate of a new 麻豆原创 degree program 鈥� the Bachelor of Science in Photonic Science and Engineering 鈥� will earn his diploma Thursday and is looking forward to entering a field that is poised to boom in the coming years.

Andrew Kirk came to 麻豆原创 to study aerospace engineering, but when he took one of his early physics classes it sparked an interest in optics. Then, two years ago at the end of his sophomore year, he heard about the new undergraduate program to be offered by 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Optics & Photonics and the College of Engineering & Computer Science. It鈥檚 the first such program in Florida and only the seventh in the nation. The program started at 麻豆原创 in 2013 and now has 70 students enrolled.

For information about 麻豆原创’s graduation ceremonies click here.

鈥淎fter researching the field鈥�it became clear that it would revolutionize technology and that鈥檚 when I decided to switch majors,鈥� said Kirk, who is from Cooper City just southwest of Fort Lauderdale.

That revolution is just around the corner, he said. The Bachelor of Science degree will enable students to analyze and design optical and laser systems for a broad set of applications.

鈥淭here are so many fields that employ photonics. Currently, research is being done in integrated photonic circuits, which holds promise of greatly enhancing a computer鈥檚 processing capability,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here are numerous applications from the medical field in cancer detection and laser surgery, space exploration and cosmic imaging, military applications and in a majority of consumer products.鈥�

While attending 麻豆原创, Kirk also has been working at Lockheed Martin on a college work-experience program in research and development of next-generation infrared optics. When he graduates, he has a full-time job already waiting for him in the company鈥檚 advanced materials engineering group, and he plans to return to 麻豆原创 to earn a master鈥檚.

Kirk said he had a jump on finishing the degree requirements because he had already completed many of the required engineering courses when he switched fields.

鈥淭here are many research opportunities for undergraduate students,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here is also an expanding job market for this specialty, making graduates of CREOL that much more valuable.鈥� CREOL is the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers, which is part of the College of Photonics and Optics.

麻豆原创鈥檚 new program is distinguished by the fact that more emphasis is placed on photonics than optics, said Mike McKee, associate director of the college鈥檚 undergraduate program. Generally, optics deals with the science of light including lenses and mirrors, whereas photonics deals with the technologies that incorporate light, such as LED displays, solar panels, use of lasers, and communications.

McKee said the U.S. Department of Labor forecasts a need of about 29,000 engineers in this field in the next decade.

鈥淲ith the combined effort of the seven universities that have this degree, it is nowhere close to filling the need,鈥� McKee said, 鈥淪o we have a huge demand and a major shortage of majors. Already, our second student to graduate with the major 鈥� going out in the fall 鈥� has a job offer.鈥�

Going to class full-time and working can make for a heavy load, but Kirk said one of the key lessons he learned in college is the importance of time management.

鈥淵our performance in college may determine how successful you become in the real world,鈥� he said. 鈥淏eing able to find a聽balance between studying, working and socializing is key to success.鈥�

Kirk said he didn鈥檛 feel any particular pressure or competition to be the first to earn the new degree, but 鈥淐REOL already has an outstanding masters and Ph.D. program, so to be the first of the undergraduate program is truly a great honor.鈥�

Kirk will graduate during the commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 7.