Master of Science in Photonics Engineering

Photonics is that field of science and technology where the fundamental properties of light and its interaction with matter are studied and applied. Ours is a multi-disciplinary programme covering basic physics, material technologies, electronics and applications in different fields.

EUR-ACE® Master (EURopean ACcredited Engineering Master)

The EUR-ACE label was accredited to this programme by the Commission des titres d’ingénieur (CTI), under the auspices of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE).

EUR-ACE® is a framework and accreditation system that provides a set of standards that identifies high-quality engineering degree programmes in Europe and abroad.

www.enaee.eu

EUR-ACE® Master (EURopean ACcredited Engineering Master)

The EUR-ACE label was accredited to this programme by the Commission des titres d’ingénieur (CTI), under the auspices of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE).

EUR-ACE® is a framework and accreditation system that provides a set of standards that identifies high-quality engineering degree programmes in Europe and abroad.

www.enaee.eu

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Master's Programme

2 year 120 credits

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

English

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About the programme

Programme summary

Find out more

Off to a good start

After graduation

First year

(version 4 )

Course schedule 1st semester Course schedule 2nd semester

1 General Courses

These general courses are taught in parallel at Ghent University and at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (with lecturers from both universities).

A key feature of this programme is that students can choose to take the first master year without being physically present in Belgium, because all courses from the programme will be live streamed and/or recorded.
Students who choose this option, select the 'O' sessions ("online") in their curriculum.

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Optical Materials	1	sem 1	en	Jeroen Beeckman	6

Microphotonics	1	sem 1	en	Dries Van Thourhout	6

Lasers	1	sem 1	en	Geert Morthier	4

Mathematics in Photonics	1	sem 1	en	Peter Bienstman	4

Optical Communication Systems	1	sem 2	en	Geert Morthier	6

Sensors, Actuators and Electronic Microsystems	1	sem 2	en	Herbert De Smet	6

Physics of Semiconductor Technologies and Devices	1	sem 2	en	Geert Van Steenberge	4

Innovation Management	1	sem 2	en	Katrien Verleye	3

2 General Courses

Subscribe to no less than 7 and no more than 9 credit units from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Students who follow the online version in the first year, subscribe to Business Management and Entrepreneurship (E900660) and Laboratories in Photonics (E030725). Students who follow classes on campus subscribe to Introduction to Entrepreneurship (E076431) and Laboratories in Photonics Research (E030721).

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Introduction to Entrepreneurship	oncampus	1	sem 1	en	Petra Andries	3

Laboratories in Photonics Research	oncampus	1	sem 2	en	Alberto Curto	6

Business Management and Entrepreneurship	online	1	sem 1	en	Marc Goldchstein	3

3 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no less than 38 and no more than 40 credit units from 2 modules from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Divided as:

first year: 12 credits (on campus students) or 18 credits (online students)
second year: 26 credits (on campus students) or 22 credits (online students)

3.1 Elective Photonics Courses

Subscribe to no less than 16 and no more than 20 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 3 module(s) from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

3.1.1 Basic Photonics

Depending on the previous degree of the student and subject to approval by the faculty.

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Photonics		1	sem 1	en	Günther Roelkens	4

3.1.2 Advanced Courses Photonics

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Design of Refractive and Diffractive Optical Imaging Systems	sem 1	en	Michael Vervaeke	4

Optical Spectroscopy of Materials	sem 1	en	Dirk Poelman	4

Display Technology	sem 1	en	Filip Strubbe	4

Optical Sensors	sem 1	en	Thomas Geernaert	4

Photovoltaic Energy Conversion	sem 2	en	Filip Strubbe	4

High Speed Photonic Components	sem 1	en	Geert Morthier	4

Short Internship in Photonics	year sem 1	en en	Geert Morthier	5

Long Internship in Photonics	year sem 1	en en	Jeroen Beeckman	10

Biophotonics	sem 1	en	Nicolas Le Thomas	4

Optical Design of Non-Imaging Systems with Ray-tracing Software	sem 1	en	Wendy Meulebroeck	4

Technological Processes for Photonics and Electronics: Laboratory	year	en	Günther Roelkens	4

Quantum Optics	sem 2	en	Stéphane Clemmen	4

Non-linear Optics	sem 1	en	Bart Kuyken	4

Micro- and Nanophotonic Semiconductor Devices	sem 2	en	Dries Van Thourhout	4

Introduction to Quantum Physics for Electrical Engineering	sem 2	en	Guy Van Der Sande	4

Photonic Integrated Circuits	sem 2	en	Wim Bogaerts	4

Lighting Technology	sem 2	en	Lien Smeesters	4

Research in Photonics	sem 1 sem 2	en en	Yanlu Li	6

3.2 Multidisciplinary Engineering Electives

Subscribe to no less than 18 and no more than 22 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 5 module(s) from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

The clusters below list multidisciplinary engineering electives. The student can choose the electives across the different clusters. Students may also suggest other elective courses, possibly but not necessarily linked to the thematic clusters below. Subject to approval by the faculty.

3.2.1 Cluster Electronics and Information Technology

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Antennas and Propagation	sem 1	en	Hendrik Rogier	6

VLSI Technology and Design	sem 1	en	Jan Doutreloigne	6

Information Theory	sem 2	en	Heidi Steendam	6

High-speed Electronics	sem 2	en	Johan Bauwelinck	6

Machine Learning	sem 1	en	Joni Dambre	6

Modulation and Detection	sem 1	en	Nele Noels	6

Electromagnetic-aware High Frequency Design	sem 1	en	Hendrik Rogier	6

3.2.2 Cluster Physics and Materials

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Physics of Semiconductor Devices	sem 2	en	Benoit Bakeroot	6

Physical Materials Science			Leo Kestens	6

Physical Chemistry	sem 2	en	Iwan Moreels	6

Atomic and Molecular Physics	sem 1	en	Veronique Van Speybroeck	6

Physics and Chemistry of Nanostructures	sem 2	en	Zeger Hens	6

3.2.3 Cluster Life Sciences

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Modelling of Physiological Systems	sem 2	en	Patrick Segers	5

From Genome to Organism	sem 1	en	Fransiska Malfait	3

Quantitative Cell and Tissue Analysis	sem 1	en	An Hendrix	6

Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering	sem 1	en	Ruslan Dmitriev	5

Biomechanics	sem 1	en	Charlotte Debbaut	6

Medical Imaging	sem 1	en	Stefaan Vandenberghe	6

3.2.4 Cluster Operations Management

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Engineering Economy	sem 1	en	Sofie Verbrugge	6

Heuristics and Search Methods	sem 1	en	Sidharta Gautama	3

Quality Engineering and Industrial Statistics	sem 2	en	Stijn De Vuyst	6

Manufacturing Planning and Control	sem 1	en	Birger Raa	6

Fundamentals of Statistical Sensor Processing	sem 1	en	Hiep Luong	6

3.2.5 Elective Courses Ghent University/VUB

Choose other multidisciplinary engineering courses from the programmes of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (Ghent University) or the Faculty of Engineering (VUB), possibly but not necessarily linked to the thematic clusters above. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Second year

(version 4 )

Course schedule 1st semester Course schedule 2nd semester

1 General Courses

These general courses are taught in parallel at Ghent University and at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (with lecturers from both universities).

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Recent Trends in Photonics		2	sem 1	en	Wim Bogaerts	4

2 General Courses

Subscribe to no less than 7 and no more than 9 credit units from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Laboratories in Photonics	online	2	sem 1	en	Alberto Curto	4

3 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no less than 38 and no more than 40 credit units from 2 modules from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Divided as:

first year: 12 credits (on campus students) or 18 credits (online students)
second year: 26 credits (on campus students) or 22 credits (online students)

3.1 Elective Photonics Courses

Subscribe to no less than 16 and no more than 20 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 3 module(s) from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

3.1.2 Advanced Courses Photonics

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Design of Refractive and Diffractive Optical Imaging Systems	sem 1	en	Michael Vervaeke	4

Optical Spectroscopy of Materials	sem 1	en	Dirk Poelman	4

Display Technology	sem 1	en	Filip Strubbe	4

Optical Sensors	sem 1	en	Thomas Geernaert	4

Photovoltaic Energy Conversion	sem 2	en	Filip Strubbe	4

High Speed Photonic Components	sem 1	en	Geert Morthier	4

Short Internship in Photonics	year sem 1	en en	Geert Morthier	5

Long Internship in Photonics	year sem 1	en en	Jeroen Beeckman	10

Biophotonics	sem 1	en	Nicolas Le Thomas	4

Optical Design of Non-Imaging Systems with Ray-tracing Software	sem 1	en	Wendy Meulebroeck	4

Technological Processes for Photonics and Electronics: Laboratory	year	en	Günther Roelkens	4

Quantum Optics	sem 2	en	Stéphane Clemmen	4

Non-linear Optics	sem 1	en	Bart Kuyken	4

Micro- and Nanophotonic Semiconductor Devices	sem 2	en	Dries Van Thourhout	4

Introduction to Quantum Physics for Electrical Engineering	sem 2	en	Guy Van Der Sande	4

Photonic Integrated Circuits	sem 2	en	Wim Bogaerts	4

Lighting Technology	sem 2	en	Lien Smeesters	4

Research in Photonics	sem 1 sem 2	en en	Yanlu Li	6

3.2 Multidisciplinary Engineering Electives

Subscribe to no less than 18 and no more than 22 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 5 module(s) from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

3.2.1 Cluster Electronics and Information Technology

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Antennas and Propagation	sem 1	en	Hendrik Rogier	6

VLSI Technology and Design	sem 1	en	Jan Doutreloigne	6

Information Theory	sem 2	en	Heidi Steendam	6

High-speed Electronics	sem 2	en	Johan Bauwelinck	6

Machine Learning	sem 1	en	Joni Dambre	6

Modulation and Detection	sem 1	en	Nele Noels	6

Electromagnetic-aware High Frequency Design	sem 1	en	Hendrik Rogier	6

3.2.2 Cluster Physics and Materials

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Physics of Semiconductor Devices	sem 2	en	Benoit Bakeroot	6

Physical Materials Science			Leo Kestens	6

Physical Chemistry	sem 2	en	Iwan Moreels	6

Atomic and Molecular Physics	sem 1	en	Veronique Van Speybroeck	6

Physics and Chemistry of Nanostructures	sem 2	en	Zeger Hens	6

3.2.3 Cluster Life Sciences

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Modelling of Physiological Systems	sem 2	en	Patrick Segers	5

From Genome to Organism	sem 1	en	Fransiska Malfait	3

Quantitative Cell and Tissue Analysis	sem 1	en	An Hendrix	6

Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering	sem 1	en	Ruslan Dmitriev	5

Biomechanics	sem 1	en	Charlotte Debbaut	6

Medical Imaging	sem 1	en	Stefaan Vandenberghe	6

3.2.4 Cluster Operations Management

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Engineering Economy	sem 1	en	Sofie Verbrugge	6

Heuristics and Search Methods	sem 1	en	Sidharta Gautama	3

Quality Engineering and Industrial Statistics	sem 2	en	Stijn De Vuyst	6

Manufacturing Planning and Control	sem 1	en	Birger Raa	6

Fundamentals of Statistical Sensor Processing	sem 1	en	Hiep Luong	6

3.2.5 Elective Courses Ghent University/VUB

4 Master's Dissertation

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation		2	year	en		30

Full programme

(version 4 )

Print

1 General Courses 43

These general courses are taught in parallel at Ghent University and at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (with lecturers from both universities).

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Optical Materials	1	sem 1	en	Jeroen Beeckman	6

Microphotonics	1	sem 1	en	Dries Van Thourhout	6

Lasers	1	sem 1	en	Geert Morthier	4

Mathematics in Photonics	1	sem 1	en	Peter Bienstman	4

Optical Communication Systems	1	sem 2	en	Geert Morthier	6

Sensors, Actuators and Electronic Microsystems	1	sem 2	en	Herbert De Smet	6

Physics of Semiconductor Technologies and Devices	1	sem 2	en	Geert Van Steenberge	4

Innovation Management	1	sem 2	en	Katrien Verleye	3

Recent Trends in Photonics	2	sem 1	en	Wim Bogaerts	4

2 General Courses

Subscribe to no less than 7 and no more than 9 credit units from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Introduction to Entrepreneurship	oncampus	1	sem 1	en	Petra Andries	3

Laboratories in Photonics Research	oncampus	1	sem 2	en	Alberto Curto	6

Business Management and Entrepreneurship	online	1	sem 1	en	Marc Goldchstein	3

Laboratories in Photonics	online	2	sem 1	en	Alberto Curto	4

3 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no less than 38 and no more than 40 credit units from 2 modules from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

Divided as:

first year: 12 credits (on campus students) or 18 credits (online students)
second year: 26 credits (on campus students) or 22 credits (online students)

3.1 Elective Photonics Courses

Subscribe to no less than 16 and no more than 20 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 3 module(s) from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

3.1.1 Basic Photonics

Depending on the previous degree of the student and subject to approval by the faculty.

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Photonics		1	sem 1	en	Günther Roelkens	4

3.1.2 Advanced Courses Photonics

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Design of Refractive and Diffractive Optical Imaging Systems	sem 1	en	Michael Vervaeke	4

Optical Spectroscopy of Materials	sem 1	en	Dirk Poelman	4

Display Technology	sem 1	en	Filip Strubbe	4

Optical Sensors	sem 1	en	Thomas Geernaert	4

Photovoltaic Energy Conversion	sem 2	en	Filip Strubbe	4

High Speed Photonic Components	sem 1	en	Geert Morthier	4

Short Internship in Photonics	year sem 1	en en	Geert Morthier	5

Long Internship in Photonics	year sem 1	en en	Jeroen Beeckman	10

Biophotonics	sem 1	en	Nicolas Le Thomas	4

Optical Design of Non-Imaging Systems with Ray-tracing Software	sem 1	en	Wendy Meulebroeck	4

Technological Processes for Photonics and Electronics: Laboratory	year	en	Günther Roelkens	4

Quantum Optics	sem 2	en	Stéphane Clemmen	4

Non-linear Optics	sem 1	en	Bart Kuyken	4

Micro- and Nanophotonic Semiconductor Devices	sem 2	en	Dries Van Thourhout	4

Introduction to Quantum Physics for Electrical Engineering	sem 2	en	Guy Van Der Sande	4

Photonic Integrated Circuits	sem 2	en	Wim Bogaerts	4

Lighting Technology	sem 2	en	Lien Smeesters	4

Research in Photonics	sem 1 sem 2	en en	Yanlu Li	6

3.2 Multidisciplinary Engineering Electives

Subscribe to no less than 18 and no more than 22 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 5 module(s) from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

3.2.1 Cluster Electronics and Information Technology

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Antennas and Propagation	sem 1	en	Hendrik Rogier	6

VLSI Technology and Design	sem 1	en	Jan Doutreloigne	6

Information Theory	sem 2	en	Heidi Steendam	6

High-speed Electronics	sem 2	en	Johan Bauwelinck	6

Machine Learning	sem 1	en	Joni Dambre	6

Modulation and Detection	sem 1	en	Nele Noels	6

Electromagnetic-aware High Frequency Design	sem 1	en	Hendrik Rogier	6

3.2.2 Cluster Physics and Materials

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Physics of Semiconductor Devices	sem 2	en	Benoit Bakeroot	6

Physical Materials Science			Leo Kestens	6

Physical Chemistry	sem 2	en	Iwan Moreels	6

Atomic and Molecular Physics	sem 1	en	Veronique Van Speybroeck	6

Physics and Chemistry of Nanostructures	sem 2	en	Zeger Hens	6

3.2.3 Cluster Life Sciences

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Modelling of Physiological Systems	sem 2	en	Patrick Segers	5

From Genome to Organism	sem 1	en	Fransiska Malfait	3

Quantitative Cell and Tissue Analysis	sem 1	en	An Hendrix	6

Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering	sem 1	en	Ruslan Dmitriev	5

Biomechanics	sem 1	en	Charlotte Debbaut	6

Medical Imaging	sem 1	en	Stefaan Vandenberghe	6

3.2.4 Cluster Operations Management

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Engineering Economy	sem 1	en	Sofie Verbrugge	6

Heuristics and Search Methods	sem 1	en	Sidharta Gautama	3

Quality Engineering and Industrial Statistics	sem 2	en	Stijn De Vuyst	6

Manufacturing Planning and Control	sem 1	en	Birger Raa	6

Fundamentals of Statistical Sensor Processing	sem 1	en	Hiep Luong	6

3.2.5 Elective Courses Ghent University/VUB

4 Master's Dissertation 30

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation		2	year	en		30

Learning outcomes

Competence field 1: Competences in one/more scientific discipline(s)

Master and apply advanced knowledge in the own engineering discipline in solving complex problems.
Apply Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools and advanced communication instruments in a creative and purposeful way.
Specify, design and test complex photonic components and systems.
Understand and apply the properties of the most important optical materials.
Thoroughly understand and apply several areas of specialisation (to be chosen by the student) in the field of photonics.
Be familiar with the basic elements of another master discipline which is relevant in combination with photonics.
Be acquainted with the recent innovation trends in the domain of photonics.
Have knowledge of the most important application areas of photonic materials, components and systems.
Understand non-optical aspects of photonic systems, in particular electronic, mechanical and thermal aspects.
Have an understanding of the major manufacturing methods for photonic components and systems.

Competence field 2: Scientific competences

Analyse complex problems and translate them into concrete research questions.
Consult the scientific literature as part of the own research.
Select and apply the appropriate models, methods and techniques.
Develop and validate mathematical models and methods.
Interpret research findings in an objective and critical manner.
Perform scientific research in the field of photonics at a starters level.
Have an insight in the main evolutions of fundamental research in the field of photonics.
Understand the context of technical or scientific papers in the field of photonics and further investigate unclear parts independently.

Competence field 3: Intellectual competences

Independently form an opinion on complex situations and problems, and defend this point of view.
Apply knowledge in a creative, purposeful and innovative way to research, conceptual design and production.
Critically reflect on one’s own way of thinking and acting, and understand the limits of one’s competences.
Stay up‐to‐date with the evolutions in the discipline to elevate the own competences to expert level.
Readily adapt to changing professional circumstances.
Exhibit eagerness to learn about fundamental scientific and technical fields which are closely related to photonics.

Competence field 4: Competences in cooperation and communication

Have the ability to communicate in English about the own field of specialisation.
Project management: have the ability to formulate objectives, report efficiently, keep track of targets, follow the progress of the project,...
Have the ability to work as a member of a team in a multi‐disciplinary working‐environment, as well as being capable of taking on supervisory responsibilities.
Report on technical or scientific subjects verbally, in writing and using graphics.
Function as a member of an international team.
Master technical and scientific terminology in English.
Establish an international network in the field of photonics.

Competence field 5: Societal competences

Act in an ethical, professional and social way.
Recognize the most important business and legal aspects of the own engineering discipline.
Understand the historical evolution of the own engineering discipline and its social relevance.
Have an insight in the photonics industry and in the role of photonics in the scientific and technological evolution of society.
Understand the safety standards specific for photonics engineering.

Competence field 6: Profession-specific competence

Master the complexity of technical systems by using system and process models.
Reconcile conflicting specifications and prior conditions in a high‐quality and innovative concept or process.
Synthesize incomplete, contradictory or redundant data into useful information.
Possess sufficient ready knowledge and understanding to evaluate the results of complex calculations, or make approximate estimates.
Pay attention to entire life cycles of systems, machines, and processes.
Pay attention to sustainability, energy‐efficiency, environmental cost, use of raw materials and labour costs.
Pay attention to all aspects of reliability, safety, and ergonomics.
Have insight into and understanding of the importance of entrepreneurship.
Show perseverance, innovativeness, and an aptitude for creating added value.
Use photonic components and systems accurately.
Choose the most appropriate design and test methods, including CAD methods, for photonic components and systems, understand their theoretical background and apply them accurately.
Interpret the manuals of standard photonic instrumentation and work with this instrumentation.
Submit creative proposals to optimise the performance of photonic components and systems.
Find original and innovative solutions for problems in photonics.