Optics Technology Option, A.A.S. - Technical Studies

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The Optics Technology program gives students an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in the field of optical manufacturing, and complete integrated general education courses needed for the industry. Students will develop advanced skills in the comprehension of technical drawings, material handling, conventional grinding and polishing, optomechanical assembly, metrology, and quality control. Additionally, students receive training in programming, setting up, and operating CNC grinding and polishing machines. Upon completing this A.A.S. degree program, students will have the necessary skills to become employed, as a technician, in the optics industry. Career opportunities also exist in quality control, optical coating, laser fabrication, fiber optics, and precision assemblies.

The objectives of this program are to:

Employ safety skills in an industrial setting.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills in conventional and CNC manufacturing of optics.
Produce parts to meet technical drawing requirements required in both conventional and computer numerical controlled machines.
Apply skills in metrology for the purpose of first article inspection reports.
Perform setup procedures on a computer numerical controlled (CNC) grinding and polishing systems.
Exhibit professionalism and ethical work practices.
Perform assembly of multiple optical elements.
Apply proper handling and cleaning skills of various optical elements.
Utilize Military and ISO specifications to execute an inspection plan.

First Year

Fall Semester

ENGL 101 - English Composition I Credits: 3
MATH 105 - Technical Mathematics Credits: 3
OPTC 101 - Fundamentals of Optics I Credits: 3
OPTC 107 - Standards of Optics Credits: 3
OPTC 112 - Measurement and Analysis I Credits: 3

Total Semester Hours: 15

Winter Session

Spring Semester

ENGL 125 - Tech. Writing & Communication I Credits: 3
GTEC 000 - Technology Gen Ed Requirement Credits: 3
GNED 000 - General Education Requirement Credits: 3
OPTC 121 - Ray Optics Credits: 3
TSC 000 - Technical Studies Core Credits: 3
OR
OPTC 000 - Program Option Elective Credits: 3

Total Semester Hours: 15

Summer Session

Second Year

Fall Semester

GHMN 000 - Humanities Credits: 3
OR
GSOC 000 - Social Science Gen Ed Requirement Credits: 3
TSC 000 - Technical Studies Core Credits: 3
OPTC 140 - Conventional Optics Manufacturing I Credits: 3
TSC 000 - Technical Studies Core Credits: 3
OR
OPTC 000 - Program Option Elective Credits: 3
TSC 000 - Technical Studies Core Credits: 3
OR
OPTC 000 - Program Option Elective Credits: 3

Total Semester Hours: 15

Winter Session

Spring Semester

GNED 000 - General Education Requirement Credits: 3
TSC 000 - Technical Studies Core Credits: 3
OR
OPTC 000 - Program Option Elective Credits: 3
TSC 000 - Technical Studies Core Credits: 3
OR
OPTC 000 - Program Option Elective Credits: 3
TSC 000 - Technical Studies Core Credits: 3
OR
OPTC 000 - Program Option Elective Credits: 3
TSC 000 - Technical Studies Core Credits: 3
OR
OPTC 000 - Program Option Elective Credits: 3

Total Semester Hours: 15

Summer Semester

Total Program Hours: 60

Humanities/Social Science Gen Ed Requirement

Choose from the list of approved courses listed in the College catalog

Technical Studies Core or Program Electives Courses (Recommended)

Technical Studies credits may be earned for corporate, industrial, or military training programs after review by a faculty assessor of related program. In addition to the recommended courses, individuals without sufficient technical training experience can select courses in one of the programs/options listed below to satisfy the Technical Studies and Program Elective credit requirements. All courses should be selected with assistance from a faculty advisor.

OPTC 210 - Measurement and Analysis II Credits: 3 (SP 1st Year)
OPTC 217 - Optical Materials I Credits: 3 (FA 2nd Year)
OPTC 225 - CNC Optics Manufacturing I Credits: 3 (FA 2nd Year)
OPTC 231 - Fundamentals of Optics II Credits: 3 (SP 2nd Year)
OPTC 240 - Conventional Optics Manufacturing II Credits: 3 (SP 2nd Year)
OPTC 247 - CNC Optics Manufacturing II Credits: 3 (SP 2nd Year)
OPTC 255 - Advanced Optical Systems Credits: 3 (SP 2nd Year)

Technology General Education Courses (Recommended)

Recommended courses listed below but student can also choose from the list of approved General Education courses in the College catalog.

COMS 110 - Computer Concepts & Applications Credits: 3

Developmental Courses

Students may need to first take some developmental courses that are designed to prepare students for the college-level coursework in their academic plan. This may add to the students’ completion time. The number of credits students take each semester will determine when the student will complete his/her program of study.