Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2024-25 Academic Catalog Program: Laser Optics Technology - LEOT.AS Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Laser Optics Technology - LEOT.AS

Laser Optics Technology is one of the most important new technologies of the twenty-first century. Photonics involves the practical application of light, optics, and electronics and has unlimited applications in today’s high-tech world. Lasers, fiber optics, 3D sensing, environmental sensing, infrared imaging, nanotechnology, medical device manufacturing, precision manufacturing in aerospace and defense, and astronomy and minimally invasive laser surgery are just a few examples of the many applications of photonics technology. In the same way that electronics changed our lives in the 20th century, photonics will play a critical role in enabling manufacturing, medical, sensing, telecommunications, homeland security, and defense technologies in the 21st century. More photonics technicians are needed to ensure that the US maintains its global leadership in this rapidly growing field.

STCC’s Laser Optics Technology program is designed to provide students with a solid working knowledge in a broad range of photonics areas including laser systems, electronics, optics, electro-optics, and fiber optics. Classroom lectures are supplemented with extensive hands-on laboratory experiences and real-world problem solving activities designed to develop and enhance students’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Graduates of this program work in a wide variety of companies, both locally and nationally, involved in making lasers, integrating lasers into other products & systems, conducting research and development on next-generation laser-based applications, or who use lasers and laser-based systems in their manufacturing processes and other precision applications. Industries include fiber optics and telecommunications, manufacturing, medical, defense, homeland security, alternative energy, aerospace, research and more.

Educational background: Applicants are advised that a basic understanding of high school algebra, and trigonometry is important for students to be successful. Applicants without this background may take developmental math courses at STCC prior to enrolling in core courses, although this may lengthen the time needed to complete the degree program.

Graduates are often encouraged to pursue a bachelor’s degree upon completion of their associate’s degree. Students wishing to further their education in an engineering field should notify their STCC academic advisor early in their course of study so that arrangements can be made to facilitate the transfer process.

Students are encouraged to contact Department Chair Dr. Nicholas Massa (massa@stcc.edu) for course selection and career advising.

Minimum Grade Requirement: Students in the Optics and Photonics Technology program must receive a grade of “D” or better. A QPA of 2.0 must be achieved for graduation.

Click here to view a list of current local job opportunities.

 

Upon the successful completion of the requirements for this program, the degree of Associate in Science in Laser Optics Technology will be awarded.

Program Objectives

Program Objective: To prepare graduates with the necessary skills to apply, install, manage, operate, and/or maintain laser, fiber optic, optical and electro-optic systems used in medical, entertainment, communication, industrial and manufacturing environments.

  1. demonstrate competence in the understanding and the application of laser systems used as an instrument and as part of a larger engineering system in areas including production, testing, maintenance, research and development.
  2. demonstrate competence in the understanding and the application of electronic, electro-optic and optic-optic systems and the sensors and controls used in these systems.
  3. demonstrate competence in the understanding and the application of optical systems including the nature of light, geometrical and physical optics used in these systems.
  4. demonstrate competence-in the understanding and the application of fiber optics systems including the manufacturing of fiber, fiber characteristics, and terminations and connecting of fibers, test and measurement of fiber optic systems.
  5. demonstrate competence in the understanding and the application of laser safety and electronic safety including laser safety industrial standards and OSHA guidelines.
  6. communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  7. conduct research from a variety of sources. These include the internet, technical specifications and schematics, and related sources.

(LEOT.AS) Curriculum

Semester 1

Course NamecreditsTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
ENG-101 - English Composition 1 3 credits
LEO-100 - Lab and Laser Safety 1 credits
LEO-110 - Intro to Optics and Photonics 3 credits
CSE-160 - Introduction to Programming Using Python 3 credits
MET-160 - CAD 1 2 credits
MET-160L - Lab: CAD 1 1 credits
ELE-110 - Electronics for Technicians 1 2 credits
ELE-110L - Lab: Electronics for Technicians 1 1 credits

Total: 16 credits

Semester 2

Course NamecreditsTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
LEO-135 - Geometric Optics 2 credits
LEO-135L - Lab: Geometrical Optics 1 credits
ELE-115 - Electronics for Technicians 2 2 credits
ELE-115L - Lab: Electronics for Technicians 2 1 credits
LEO-140 - Fiber Optic Technology and Applications 2 credits
LEO-140L - Lab: Fiber Optic Technology and Applications 1 credits
LEO-150 - Fundamentals of Lasers 2 credits
LEO-150L - Lab: Fundamentals of Lasers 1 credits
ELE-180 - Instrumentation and Measurement 3 credits
ELE-180L - Lab: Instrumentation & Measurement 1 credits

Total: 16 credits

Semester 3

Course NamecreditsTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
LEO-235 - Wave Optics 2 credits
LEO-235L - Lab: Wave Optics 1 credits
LEO-250 - Senior Project Research 1 credits
LEO-250L - Lab: Senior Project Research 1 credits
ELE-240 - Sensor Interfacing and Data Acquisition 3 credits
ELE-240L - Lab: Sensor Interfacing and Data Acquisition 1 credits
LEO-260 - Industrial Laser Applications 2 credits
LEO-260L - Lab: Industrial Laser Applications 1 credits

Select one:

Course NamecreditsTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
ENG-102 - English Composition 2 (see Note 1) 3 credits
ENG-104 - Eng Comp 2: Technical and Professional Writing 3 credits

Select one:

Course NamecreditsTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
MAT-130 - Precalculus Mathematics (See Note 1) 4 credits
MAT-124 - Technical Math 1 4 credits

Total: 19 credits

Semester 4

Course NamecreditsTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
LEO-265 - Senior Projects in L.E.O.T. 1 credits
LEO-265L - Lab: Senior Projects in L.E.O.T. 2 credits
EL-SOC - General Behavioral/Social Science Elective 3 credits
LEO-240 - Advanced Topics in Lasers 2 credits
LEO-240L - Lab: Advanced Topics in Lasers 1 credits

Select one:

Course NamecreditsTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
MAT-131 - Calculus 1 (see Note 1) 4 credits
MAT-115 - Statistics 3 credits

Select one course with lab:

Course NamecreditsTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
PHY-231 - Classical Physics 1 (see Note 1) 3 credits
PHY-231L - Lab: Classical Physics 1 1 credits
PHY-221 - Physics 1 3 credits
PHY-221L - Lab: Physics 1 1 credits
CHM-111 - General Chemistry 1 3 credits
CHM-111L - Lab: General Chemistry 1 1 credits

Total: 16 credits

Total (LEOT.AS) Curriculum Program Credits: 67

NOTES:

1. For students wishing to transfer to Western New England University’s BSEE program, select  ENG-102 - English Composition 2,  MAT-130 - Precalculus Mathematics,  MAT-131 - Calculus 1, and  PHY-231 - Classical Physics 1. 

Program Personnel

Name Title Office Phone Email
Nicholas Bishop Electronic Technical II 17/613 413-755-4577 NRBishop@stcc.edu
Dr. Nicholas Massa Professor/Coordinator 17/635 413-755-4579 massa@stcc.edu
Gary Mullett Professor/Department Chair 17/635 413-755-4600 gmullett@stcc.edu

 

Notes: