Optoelectronics

Optoelectronics is a vitally important area of technology which is experiencing tremendous growth. It has been identified by government foresight groups and other organisations worldwide as one of the key technologies of the 21st century.

The field also known as "photonics" 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, automobile engineering, new LED based lighting systems, new photovoltaic clean energy generators, laser microfabrication and the ever-increasing applications of laser technology in the defense industries. In the last five years for example, CD players, laser printers and supermarket scanners have become 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 optoelectronics is in optical communications, the phenomenal development of the World Wide Web only possible because of the enormous bandwidths now available for data transmission through optical fibres.

Students entering this programme should have a good background in Physics and Mathematics. The specialisation involves a solid grounding in these subjects with extensive specialist training in photonic and electronic engineering, advanced physics and mathematical electronics in subsequent years. To avoid undue specialisation, and in response to feedback from employers, the programme also involves courses in computer science and the management of technology.

Your final year of your BTech may incorporate an industry-related project.

Photonics is relatively demanding, with an intake of only 25 students in Year 4. Scholarships are available for first year students in the BTech (Optoelectronics) and are funded by Southern Photonics Ltd. These are awarded to students who show academic merit in their University entry qualifications.

Find more information and an application form for the Southern Photonics Undergraduate Scholarships.

Postgraduate Optoelectronics

At The University of Auckland, the Applied Optics Research Centre (AOC) is closely allied to the BTech - Optoelectronics specialisation. All staff members of the AOC teach courses which are components of the degree, and pursue an active research programme in optoelectronics which has gained international recognition. This research group has expanded over time to utilise a new purpose-built laboratory space, (designed to assist with the fourth year Optoelectronics projects) and employ new staff, further enhancing the teaching and research resources to this growing area of science. Suitably qualified graduates from the BTech programme can join this research team for graduate study, using facilities unequalled anywhere in New Zealand.

Students are advised to contact the relevant Head of Department directly or the Optoelectronics coordinator for further information or details regarding possible research topics.

The BTech - Optoelectronics is a set programme of study. Courses in Parts I - IV must be passed to complete the degree. Please note: if you commenced this programme before 2012 you should still enrol in the courses below to meet the degree requirements.

Part I

• 75 points:
  • CHEM 120 Chemistry of the Material World*
  • ENGGEN 131 Introduction to Engineering Computation and Software Development
  • PHYSICS 120 Physics of Energy
  • PHYSICS 130 Properties of Matter
  • PHYSICS 150 Physics of Technology
  • 15 points from MATHS 108 General Mathematics 1 or MATHS 150 Advancing Mathematics 1
  • 15 points from MATHS 208 General Mathematics 2 or MATHS 250 Advancing Mathematics 2
  • 15 points from approved General Education courses

Part II

• 105 points: COMPSYS 202, ELECTENG 210, PHYSICS 211, 231, 240, 251, 261
• 15 points from approved General Education courses

Part III

• 90 points: ELECTENG 209, 303, 307, PHYSICS 326, 340, 390
• 15 points from COMPSYS 302 or INFOSYS 224
• 15 points from PHYSICS 325 or ELECTENG 305

Part IV

• 105 points: BTECH 471, ELECTENG 732, PHYSICS 726, 727, SCIGEN 201
• 15 points from ELECTENG 726, PHYSICS 325, 350**

*CHEM 150 Concepts in Chemistry recommended for students with a limited background in Chemistry
**Students intending to proceed to graduate study in Optoelectronics should take PHYSICS 325 or PHYSICS 350.

See the online Calendar for course descriptions and then log in to Student Services online to view a class timetable.

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 Optoelectronics programme has been designed with particular input from the local industries most likely to recruit optoelectronics graduates. Several former students who have carried out thier fourth year projects with Southern Photonics Ltd. are now working there as product developers. Companies that design defence technology are constantly seeking graduates from this programme, for example the Defence Technology Agency located in Devonport, Auckland. Other recent graduates have gained employment with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Rakon, PureDepth and within leading industry groups and universities worldwide.

The local distribution of optical fibres is also expanding rapidly. It is estimated that up to 500 million dollars has been spent in the last two years deploying optical fibre communications infrastructure in Wellington alone. The Applied Optics Centre is closely involved with the telecommunications companies involved in this investment as well as other industries that use optoelectronics in sensing applications.

Another rapidly growing area of optoelectronics is in the area of biomedical sensing. There is now a large effort being made world-wide by start-up companies seeking to commercialise new applications such as this, and Biophotonics is now an established discipline at international conferences and meetings.

For further information, refer to the Bachelor of Technology Handbook

or contact

Professor John Harvey
Optoelectronics Coordinator
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88831
Email: btechOP@auckland.ac.nz

Science Student Centre
Ground Floor, Building 301
Science Centre
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 88199
Email: scifac@auckland.ac.nz

• How to apply
  
• General Education requirements for undergraduates
• Course descriptions
  
• Class timetable (Login to Student Services Online)