Outlook for Photonics Engineers

I was just reseaching some things about Photonics Engineers and came across this - some additional background and they rank PSE majors as "bright outlook" meaning that there will be tremendous growth ahead in the needs for these majors:

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2199.07​

Scholarships!

Look at this large list of scholarships:

http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/scholarships/​​

PSE Course Changes

Class changes – we have updated the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 Schedule and all changes are currently in http://my.ucf.edu with the exception of Frontiers, which is in the process of being corrected to reflect the schedule below. 

• OSE 4240 (Optics and Photonics Design) moves to Spring MW, 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm from the Fall.
• OSE 4930 Frontiers moves to Thursday 10:30 – 12:20 in the Fall
• OSE 4830 (Imaging and Display) starts at 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
• OSE 4830L (ID Lab) will move to Friday at 9:00 – 12:00 pm.​​

Internships at Flex Optronix

Received this from Flex Optronix!  They have 3 internships.​

My name is Arria Owlia, and I am with Flex Optronix Technologies. We are beginning a summer internship program this year and are opening up to three seats for your students at UCF. My main intent with this email is to gather more information as to how we can spread the word among your scholars.

Regarding Flex Optronix, we are a relatively new company, focused in the field of optics, specifically micro-structured optical materials and fibers. As for the internship, it will run through the summer and requires that students possess or are interested in learning one or more of the following skills:

1.       Optical Experiments

2.       Polymer and Chemical Processing

3.       Machine Construction/Automation/Control

Specifically, graduate and senior undergraduate students who have a background or education in the following fields will be able to make the most use out of such an internship: Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics. As such, I am reaching out to all UCF colleges with students in these fields.

For a copy of the exact flyer we are using for the internship positions, please see the following link: http://tiny.cc/flexsummer2014flyer

We are proud to offer such a program and also feel that your students will gain significant industry experience throughout the course of the internship. With this in mind, please let me know of any routes we may use in order to help spread the word to your students. Lastly, please do not hesitate to contact me, at arriaowlia@flex-optronix.com or 713-382-5663, with any questions you may have.

*Photonics Presentation

Here is the photonics presentation that I use at Open Houses, State Colleges, and other places to talk about the PSE Program.

Open House Presentation.pptx

Internship at the Institute for Simulation and Training

PHSE undergrads may apply for the Co-op position shown below, as IST will accept applicants majoring in engineering or photonics science and engineering, mathematics or physics.   They expect to hire at least two students.

The Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is looking for student support, preferably undergraduate students, sophomores, juniors and seniors, but graduate students may also apply, as an Advanced Technologies Research Assistant supporting the US Army Simulation & Training Technology Center (STTC) in the Research Park.  These positions support research under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).  Students pursuing a degree in a science discipline are preferred.  Some software or graphical programming desired.  Duties and responsibilities of the position include:

Research and Development (R&D) Support.  Support includes, but is not solely limited to, support for R&D in the areas of decision support, cognitive neuroscience, robotics, social network analysis, medical research, advanced physics, team and individual training, sensor exploitation, information processing, material science, hardware and software development.  Students provide support to staff in the following areas:

1. Conduct research, present findings, and provide technical expertise, supervision and technical management in support of these efforts. 
2. Support performance measurement and metrics collection as required in facilitating process improvements.
3. Independent (Institutional) Review Board (IRB) Application, Preparation for Protocol Review and Approval. 

Knowledge of C++, Java, Microsoft Office including EXCEL is a plus.

Students are exposed to a variety of cutting-edge technologies and have a great deal of autonomy and responsibility for carrying out assigned tasks. 

*Security clearance and U.S. citizenship is required due to job location.

The positions are in support of the U.S. Army.  Students work in the Army facility in the Central Florida Research Park (UCF).  Salary:  $14.00 to negotiable 15 to 20 hrs/wk.  
(*U.S. citizenship)”

*Students may apply by going to  www.explearning.ucf.edu/.  ​

*Optics Day at CREOL

One of the world's leading institutions for research and education in optics and photonics is right here at UCF – CREOL. On Friday, April 4^th 10 am – 4 pm , CREOL (The College of Optics and Photonics) is opening its doors for a fun-filled day of lab tours, optic demos, exciting talks, and prizes. Optics and photonics is a crucial field in today's modern age, enabling the high-speed internet in your home with fiber optics, or correcting a patient's vision with lasers. Optics Day allows a peek at where these future technologies are created. Ever seen a real-life hologram? Or the individual LCD pixels on your iPhone? Optics Day is guaranteed to be a fascinating, interactive, and educational experience!

Schools with grades 6-12 are welcome to sign up for a visit from 10 am – 1 pm. Open to the public and UCF students from 1 pm – 4 pm. 

There will be tours every hour of the world's best laboratories, engaging talks every hour explaining unique phenomenon, and optics demos spread all over the CREOL lobby to stun your senses. Don't miss out, RSVP at asincore@knights.ucf.edu to reserve your spot!​​