Programs Undergrad Degree in Optics: B.S. in Physics or Optical Engineering?

[Galgenstrick]

Would it be better to get a B.S. in physics then a M.S. in Optics? or would it be better to get a B.S. in Optical Engineering and then a M.S. in Optics?

Either way I want to get a Masters in Optics, I just want to know if it would be a disadvantage to have a B.S. and M.S. both in optics.

 

[Angry Citizen]

What do you want to do with your degrees?

 

[Galgenstrick]

Right now I am a technician working with thin-film optics. I plan on doing something along these lines, other options would be laser engineering or spectroscopy or imaging technology. I love working on optical tables, I have experience with laser cooling, interferometry etc.

 

[QuarkCharmer]

I also plan to specialize in optics (for the PhD at least), but I opted to do a physics undergrad just in case I changed my mind. The more I learn about physics and such, the more I become interested in different things.

 

[Galgenstrick]

I also plan to specialize in optics (for the PhD at least), but I opted to do a physics undergrad just in case I changed my mind. The more I learn about physics and such, the more I become interested in different things.

This is definitely true. There are so many cool things with physics. I am going to ask a couple of the optics PhDs at my work, and see what they think, they all did physics as undergraduate, however, 20 years ago there weren't as many specialization degrees available.

 

[QuarkCharmer]

My university has a physics degree with a specialization in Optics and Photonics. Perhaps you have something similar.

It's basically this:
4.3. Optics and Lasers Specialization 18 hrs
PHY 4424 Optics 3 hrs
Select 2: 6 hrs
EEL 4440 Optical Engineering or 3 hrs
OSE 5203 Geometrical Optics and Imaging Systems or 3 hrs
OSE 5312 Light Matter Interaction or 3 hrs
OSE 5414 Fundamentals of Optoelectronic Devices or 3 hrs
PHY 4445 Lasers 3 hrs

 

[Galgenstrick]

My university has a physics degree with a specialization in Optics and Photonics. Perhaps you have something similar.

It's basically this:
4.3. Optics and Lasers Specialization 18 hrs
PHY 4424 Optics 3 hrs
Select 2: 6 hrs
EEL 4440 Optical Engineering or 3 hrs
OSE 5203 Geometrical Optics and Imaging Systems or 3 hrs
OSE 5312 Light Matter Interaction or 3 hrs
OSE 5414 Fundamentals of Optoelectronic Devices or 3 hrs
PHY 4445 Lasers 3 hrs

Which university is this? I am willing to transfer out of state / country

 

[QuarkCharmer]

The University of Central Florida. They have a mediocre "big state school" undergrad program, but their (grad) College of Optics and Photonics (which this specialization is catered to) is one of the best.

http://www.creol.ucf.edu/

The listing of optics based grad courses (you can take as an undergrad) is astounding.