Master of Science in Photonics Science and Engineering 
This Master offers
- a specialization in photonic materials, components and systems. Lasers and LED's, optical fibres and liquid crystals, optical sensors and detectors will reveal all their secrets to you.
- a wide variety of elective courses in ICT, electronics, business apsects of photonics, multimedia....
- an industrial internship which will give you the opportunity to get in touch with the Photonics Industry.
- a multidisciplinary training in Photonics and Photonics-related subjects, organized by two universities that are both at the top of the innovative world of Photonics.
- the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and skills in other domains, such as ICT, biosciences, physics and chemistry of materials, industrial management etc
Course outline & programme
Years: 2
Campus: Etterbeek
In cooperation with the Ghent University (UGent)
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel offers the Master of Photonics Science and Engineering jointly with Ghent University (UGent). When you enroll in this English taught master, you will follow the courses at UGent during the first semester of the first master year and at Vrije Universiteit Brussel during the second semester.
The aim of this master programme is to educate you to become an engineer and scientist with a solid knowledge in photonics and the ability to apply theory into design, realisation and management of photonic systems.
Core and advanced photonics courses
The first year will be devoted mainly to a programme of core photonics courses with essentially the same content at both institutes, complemented by a number of advanced photonics courses as well as several courses in related disciplines and transferable skill courses.
During the second year, you will study where you do your master thesis. This two-year program leads to a joint degree from Vrije Universiteit Brussel and UGent.
Mobility
Courses are taught at two locations:
- the first semester of the first master year at the Universiteit Gent
- the second semester of the masterfirst year at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
In the second year the location of study is determined by the subject of your master thesis. During your second master year it is also possible to study at a foreign university (several bilateral agreements have been set up with foreign universities with a strong programme in the field of photonics). All compulsory courses are taught at both locations, whereas the advanced elective courses are taught in one of both places. Finally this two-year programme leads to a joint degree from VUB and UGent.
Something For You?
Are you...
- fascinated by light?
- interested in telecommunication networks that spread knowledge and data worldwide?
- interested in optical fibres, sensors and solar cells?
You want...
- to understand how light is used in medical applications ?
- to specialize in this fascinating domain and become a key figure in a company or
research centre? - Then you are the right person to study Photonics at the Faculty of Engineering of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
This joint degree with Universiteit Gent will open up many doors and give you the necessary tools to pursue a succesfull career.Top
Research
B-PHOT, the Brussels Photonics Team
Photonics is the science and technology of light. As a driver/catalyst technology, only photonics extends the unique properties of the photon. Photonics innovation is increasingly needed to solve important technological, societal, economical and ecological problems. This is what the Brussels Photonics Team, B-PHOT, does. Their core business is photonics research: fundamental, applied and industrial photonics for a brighter, lighter and healthier world.
Job Opportunities
Your future as a Photonics Engineer looks very bright. Today photonics is a discipline of key importance in industrial sectors such as the tele- and data communication area, the display and printing industry, the biotechnology industry, the energy sector, the medical instrumentation sector... with opportunities in:
- research in high-technology companies
- research in academic laboratories and research institutes
- development of new photonic products in industry
- technical support in a company for its products
- technical marketing and sales in to photonics related industries
Admission requirements
Belgian students holding one of the following degrees can enroll in the programme:
- bachelor in de ingenieurswetenschappen afstudeerrichting elektronika en informatietechnologie
- bachelor in de ingenieurswetenschappen: elektrotechniek
- bachelor in de ingenieurswetenschappen: toegepaste natuurkunde
- master in de biochemie
- master in de biochemie en de biotechnologie
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: biosysteemtechniek
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: land- en waterbeheer
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: bos en natuurbeheer
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: cel- en genbiotechnologie
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: chemie en bioprocestechnologie
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: katalytische technologie
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: land- en bosbeheer
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: landbouwkunde
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: levensmiddelentechnologie
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: levensmiddelentechnologie en voeding
- master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: milieutechnologie
- master in de chemie
- master in de fysica
- master in de fysica en de sterrenkunde
- master in de industriële wetenschappen: chemie
- master in de industriële wetenschappen: elektromechanica
- master in de industriële wetenschappen: elektronica-ICT
- master in de industriële wetenschappen: kunststofverwerking
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: bedrijfskudige systeemtechnieken en operationeel onderzoek
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: biomedische ingenieurstechnieken
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: biomedische technologie
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: bouwkunde
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: chemie en materialen
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: chemische technologie
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: computerwetenschappen
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: elektronica en informatietechnologie
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: elektrotechniek
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: elektrotechniek (ICT)
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: energie
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: fotonica
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: geotechniek en mijnbouwkunde
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: materiaalkunde
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: toegepaste computerwetenschappen
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: toegepaste natuurkunde
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: verkeerskunde
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: werktuigkunde
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: werktuigkunde - elektrotechniek
- master in de ingenieurswetenschappen: wiskundige ingenieurstechnieken
- master in de nanowetenschappen en de nanotechnologie
- master of engineering: materials engineering
- master of nanoscience and nanotechnology
- master of nuclear engineering
- master of nanophysics
For foreign students, the applicant needs to be in possession of a bachelor degree in Electrical engineering, in (Applied) Physics, Materials Science or an equivalent of this to be directly admitted to the program. Students in their last year of such a programme will however also be considered.
Students in possession of another bachelor degree might need to follow a preparatory program. The educational board will make the final decision whether to accept the application or not.
All necessary information regarding the admission requirements, deadlines and application forms can be found on the web page 'How to enroll as a student'.
Language requirements
In order to be admitted, you need to be proficient in English. The language requirements can be found on the website.
Application
Students who wish to apply for the Master of Photonics Science and Engineering-programme, must follow a specific MPSE-application procedure.
The application deadline for non-EU nationalities is March 1st and for EU-nationalities June 1st. No applications will be accepted past this date.
The selected students will receive an invitation letter for enrollment (academic acceptance). All details about enrollment and accommodation will be mentioned in this letter.
Students from Vrije Universiteit Brussel or Ghent University can follow the regular application procedure at Vrije Universiteit Brussel or UGent.
Scholarship
For the academic year 2012-2013, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Bureau for Development Cooperation) will award four scholarships for the programme Master of Photonics Science and Engineering for participants from developing countries. For details on the application procedure and forms, please consult the VUB website.
Student services
Students at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel are not just mere numbers. A lot of attention goes to making sure that you can study in the best possible situation. There are numerous staff members ready to assist you and give advice on all topics related to student life: practical information, medical assistance and finance, study planning, sports and culture, health, transport, housing and food, etc.
For all kinds of help, advice and support visit the site of ‘Student Facilities’.
Contact
Prof. dr. Ir. Heidi Ottevaere
Department of Applied Physics and Photonics,
building F, room 9F628A,
Pleinlaan 2,
B-1050 Brussels
hottevaere@tona.vub.ac.be
Majorie Jammaers
Administrative Support
Department of Applied Physics and Photonics,
building F, room 9F613,
B-1050 Brussels
majammae@vub.ac.be
More information
- Check out the website: Master of Photonics Science and Engineering
- An overview of all Master and Postgraduate programmes taught in English at the VUB can be found in the brochure Student (on top) of the world (970 KB)