Photonics and Laser Technology (PALT) - Certificate

Silicon Valley houses some of the largest and pioneering optics and photonics manufacturing firms as well as national labs that utilize optics heavily, like Coherent Optics, Spectra Physics, SLAC, etc. These and many of other firms raning from small to large, produce a variety of critical optical hardware like lasers, lenses, coatings, etc. that are found in virtually every high-tech device we use. Some example include cell phones, computers and TVs, and in additon, such optics are also heavily used in manufacturing sectors, such as for additive manufacturing. 

The industry has been severely handicapped due to the lack of a United States  program that can train technicians to work in the optics and photonics industry.  The industry successfully collaborated on a program with San Jose City College to create a laser technician program. But the severe shortage in optics and photonics technicians continues to be a  huge challenge to them. An annual need of upwards of 100 trained technicians is typically forecasted but has been impossible to fill. Thus far, industry has been carrying out the training themselves and this has lead to increased cost and lower productivity. For these reasons, industry leaders have approached Canada College to create an Optics and Photonics Technician program. 

This 18-unit certification program will provide foundational hands-on skills and training in industry-relevant science and engineering principles of the field of photonics and laser technology (PALT). PALT is involved with the generation and harnessing of light and other forms of radiant energy. Photonics involves state-of-art use and applications of lasers, optics, fiber-optics, and electro-optical devices in diverse fields of technology –alternate energy, manufacturing, health care, telecommunication, environmental monitoring, homeland security, aerospace, solid state lighting, and many others. The applications of photonics and lasers in creating and enabling technologies are extremely broad. From an educational standpoint, this means that photonics courses in a postsecondary college curriculum in related technologies can qualify graduates for a far wider variety of jobs and increase the global competitiveness of the workforce.

 

• Apply knowledge of math, science, and engineering to identify, formulate, and solve optics and photonics problems.
• Communicate effectively and work well in situations that require teamwork.
• Design and perform tests or experiments, analyze and interpret data, and prepare a report summarizing the results of the tests or experiments.
• Use techniques, skills, and modern engineering and computer tools necessary for optics and photonics engineering practice.

The program is looking to enroll 60 students per year into the program and allow the students to receive stackable certificates of achicbments

The goal of the program is for students to complete the needed skills to enter the workforce just after one semester. However, there will be a total of 9 courses that will enable students to complete their certificate of achievement 

TERM 1  - Leads to OAPT Skills Certificate Level  – 9 Units

ENGR 401- Intro to Optics and Photonics Technology (2 units)

ENGR 402 - Geometrical Optics (4 Units) 

ENGR 403 - Optics and Photonics Modeling and Design (ZEMAX) (3 units) 

TERM 2 – Leads to LEVEL 1 OAPT CERTIFICATE of ACHIEVEMENT  (18 UNITS)

ENGR 404 - Wave Optics (4 Units) 

ENGR 405 - Introduction to Laser Technology (3 Units) 

ENGR 406 - Components and Devices in Optics & Photonics (2 Units) 

There will be no requirements for students to enter the program. 

TERM 1  - Leads to OAPT Skills Certificate Level  – 9 Units

ENGR 401- Intro to Optics and Photonics Technology (2 units)

ENGR 402 - Geometrical Optics (4 Units) 

ENGR 403 - Optics and Photonics Modeling and Design (ZEMAX) (3 units) 

TERM 2 – Leads to LEVEL 1 OAPT CERTIFICATE of ACHIEVEMENT  (18 UNITS)

ENGR 404 - Wave Optics (4 Units) 

ENGR 405 - Introduction to Laser Technology (3 Units) 

ENGR 406 - Components and Devices in Optics & Photonics (2 Units) 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)

There are no programs in the Area that will have this curriculum

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