Description
The Optical Systems Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree prepares students for a career in the field of optics. Students take courses that include content in optical fabrication and metrology, photonics, applied optical mathematics, optical elements and ray optics, wave optics, optical systems, lasers, and photo science. Students use state of the art optics equipment that prepares them for immediate career placement. The Optical Systems Technology program provides pathways to rewarding careers in companies critically important to our economic growth and national defense. Students in the program will gain practical skills in advanced manufacturing areas such as lens assembly, metrology, Computer Numeric Control (CNC) grinding, CNC polishing, conventional optical fabrication, and diamond turning. The degree is designed for students looking for a way to enter the optics workforce as well as for those currently in the workforce looking to advance their skills. Students who wish to continue on a four-year pathway can transfer from the A.A.S. degree to a variety of schools in the region, in New York State or other states. Students who plan to transfer to a four-year college to earn their Bachelor's degree should discuss their plans with an advisor as early as possible to identify the appropriate courses.

Program Learning Outcomes
1. Evaluate an optical system using a number of geometrical optics test procedures.
2. Make standard electro-optic measurements and evaluate typical electro-optic configurations.
3. Understand and perform the basic and advanced optical manufacturing techniques for today’s precision optical components.
4. Understand and perform the basic and advanced metrology techniques for testing optical systems and individual optical components.

Employment Potential
For related jobs: Career Coach
Occupational Resource: https://www.onetonline.org

Distribution Requirements	Credit Hours
TRADITIONAL OPTICS OPTION
FIRST SEMESTER
OPT 110 Introduction to Optical Technology	3
OPT 213 Optical Fabrication and Metrology	4
TEK 145 Career Communications	3
OPT 175 Quantitative Skills in Optics OR MTH 152 Survey of Mathematics for Technicians OR MTH 175 Precalculus OR MTH 210 Calculus I OR ANY SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION MATHEMATICS AND QUANTITATIVE REASONING (SUNY-MATH) ELECTIVE*	4
Total	14
SECOND SEMESTER
OPT 131 Optical Elements and Ray Optics	4
OPT 201 Photo Science	4
OPT 235 Advanced Optical Fabrication and Metrology	4
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition	3
Total	15
THIRD SEMESTER
OPT 151 Optical Instruments and Testing	4
OPT 211 Wave Optics and Applications	4
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION WORLD HISTORY AND GLOBAL AWARENESS (SUNY-WHGA) OR SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION WORLD LANGUAGES (SUNY-WLNG) ELECTIVE	3-4
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION NATURAL SCIENCES and Scientific Reasoning (SUNY-NSCI) ELECTIVE**	3-4
Total	14-16
FOURTH SEMESTER
OPT 245 Optical Systems	4
OPT 255 Photonics	4
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION DIVERSITY: EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (SUNY-DVRS) ELECTIVE	3
ANY SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION that satisfies CRITICAL THINKING AND REASONING (SUNY-CTRN) ELECTIVE	3
OPEN ELECTIVE	3
Total	17
TOTAL CREDITS	60-62
ELECTRO-OPTICS OPTION
FIRST SEMESTER
ELT 111 Introduction to Digital Electronics	3
OPT 110 Introduction to Optical Technology	3
OPT 213 Optical Fabrication and Metrology	4
TEK 145 Career Communications	3
OPT 175 Quantitative Skills in Optics OR MTH 152 Survey of Mathematics for Technicians OR MTH 175 Precalculus OR MTH 210 Calculus I OR ANY SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION MATHEMATICS AND QUANTITATIVE REASONING (SUNY-MATH) ELECTIVE*	4
Total	17
SECOND SEMESTER
ELT 121 AC/DC Circuit Analysis	4
OPT 131 Optical Elements and Ray Optics	4
OPT 235 Advanced Optical Fabrication and Metrology	4
ENG 101 College Composition OR ENG 200 Advanced Composition**	3
Total	15
THIRD SEMESTER
ELT 134 Introduction to Programmable Logic Controller	3
OPT 151 Optical Instruments and Testing	4
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION WORLD HISTORY AND GLOBAL AWARENESS (SUNY-WHGA) OR SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION WORLD LANGUAGES (SUNY-WLNG) ELECTIVE	3-4
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION NATURAL SCIENCES and Scientific Reasoning (SUNY-NSCI) ELECTIVE	3-4
Total	13-15
FOURTH SEMESTER
ELT 234 Advanced Programmable Logic Controllers	3
OPT 255 Photonics	4
SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION DIVERSITY: EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE (SUNY-DVRS) ELECTIVE	3
ANY SUNY GENERAL EDUCATION that satisfies CRITICAL THINKING AND REASONING (SUNY-CTRN) ELECTIVE	3
OPEN ELECTIVE	3
Total	16
TOTAL CREDITS	61-63

*Students should consult with their advisor to select math based on their transfer plan and/or career goals.
**Students planning to transfer are recommended to select PHY 145 or higher or consult with transfer institution.