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With an increasing demand for high-speed communication and precise fibre optics sensors, the global photonics market is projected to grow by 6.45% between 2023 and 2028. Entering this industry requires a strong foundation, which is why PhD students Vinzenz Zimmermann and Julián Orozco Herrera chose the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL) without hesitation.
“CREOL is a well-known institution in the field, and I believe it is a stepping-stone for my career,” says Zimmermann from Germany. “The PhD allows me to study optics and quantum mechanics in-depth. One memorable moment was working with prisms and gratings to study the spectral lines from pressurised gas lamps.”
For Herrera from Colombia, the focus was on finding a degree with exceptional faculty and an enriching learning environment. “UCF and CREOL exceeded all my expectations,” he says. “They offered the ideal setting to specialise in optics and achieve my academic goals.”
CREOL students carry out research in laser science and technology, fibre optics, biophotonics, and more with advanced equipment. Source: University of Central Florida
Ranked #29 globally among the best universities for optics, #9 in the US, and #4 among US public universities, CREOL is a leader in optical and photonic science. Offering degrees at every level, from undergraduate to graduate options, including an MS in Optics and Photonics and the Optics and Photonics PhD, the college is a hub for optical and photonic science and engineering research.
Zimmermann’s research, for example, covers the propagation of light in free space, turbulent fluids, thin films, and more rigid structures like optical fibres and waveguide arrays. He also explores space-time wave packets, hollow core fibres and topological photonics.
Through this extensive exploration, Zimmermann has learned the value of seeing optics through a wider lens. “This shift in perspective was refreshing and will benefit me in the future,” he says.
Herrera’s research focuses on nonlinear optics. Joining a research group, he quickly found opportunities to contribute to ongoing projects. “They trusted me with small tasks to help me learn while balancing my courses,” he shares.
Behind it all are CREOL’s expert faculty. As part of a large public university, CREOL is home to 35 full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty members. “Most professors genuinely care about student learning,” says Zimmermann. “They create an open-minded environment where we can raise questions and concerns without hesitation.”
Class sizes vary from up to 35 in the required core courses to just a few students in the advanced electives. This ensures you get the attention you need to master academic fundamentals while tackling real-world challenges. Many assignments involve computer simulations, blending theory with hands-on application.
State-of-the-art facilities, including device fabrication cleanrooms, a fibre drawing tower, and high-performance computing clusters, further enhance the learning experience here. “These facilities allow us to engage in applied learning that directly connects to our research goals, helping us become independent researchers,” says Zimmermann.
Herrera agrees, adding, “CREOL has the resources to create and produce advanced technology that will have a differential impact on our normal lives. I believe the programmes are structured to help us understand everything from the basics to advanced concepts in optics, making it easier to use this knowledge in our research.”
CREOL has five active student chapters of professional societies that host various events to promote career development and student engagement. Source: University of Central Florida
The CREOL faculty provide support outside the classroom too, ensuring you enjoy every aspect of your time here. “Professors and administrative staff were incredibly helpful from day one, showing us how to get around, register for courses, and use student resources,” says Herrera.
First-year students are introduced to the different research areas of faculty through a series of short talks over a lunch break. And this is just the beginning. “There is an upcoming workshop in collaboration with a senior editor for one of the journals from Nature, the annual affiliates symposium (a must for every graduate student), and the annual ‘Student of the Year’ award,” says Zimmermann.
It’s opportunities like these that inspire students to aim high. “My main goal is to become a well-educated scientist who can contribute to society with either discoveries, creation, or refinement of new advanced technology based on light that could have a great impact on our lives,” says Herrera. “CREOL and UCF are giving me the fundamental and practical tools to achieve that dream in the future.”
Even if your career path changes, CREOL has your back. “CREOL’s partnership with major industrial partners in Florida and beyond ensures a smooth transition into the workforce,” says Zimmermann. “Furthermore, CREOL and UCF host yearly career fairs where many students find internship and post-graduate employment opportunities.”
CREOL graduates have secured jobs in companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. To follow in their footsteps, apply to the College of Optics and Photonics today.
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