| Course | Semester | Instructor | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photonic Integrated Circuits: from Concept to Application | Sem 1+2 | Wim Bogaerts | 8 |
| Theory of Photonic Integrated Circuits | Sem 1 | Dries Van Thourhout | 6 |
| Integrated Lasers | Sem 1 | Geert Morthier | 4 |
| Materials for Photonic Integrated Circuits | Sem 1 | Jeroen Beeckman | 4 |
| Electronics for Photonic Integrated Circuits | Sem 1 | Johan Bauwelinck | 4 |
| Processing and Packaging Technologies for Photonic Integration | Sem 2 | Geert Van Steenberge | 4 |
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Integrated Silicon Photonics is a one-year advanced master program (60 ECTS), fully taught in English. Below is the detailed program structure.
At UGent: 1 ECTS ≈ 25-30 hours (incl. lectures, lab work, project work, assignments, examinations), there are 12-13 lecturing weeks / semester + 4 weeks examination period.
These mandatory courses form the foundation of the programme and are required for all students. They provide essential knowledge in photonic integrated circuits, devices, materials, electronics, and laser integration.
| Course | Semester | Instructor | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-linear Optics | Sem 1 | Bart Kuyken | 4 |
| Quantum Optics | Sem 1 | Bart Kuyken | 4 |
| Integrated Photonic (Bio)Sensing | Sem 2 | Nicolas Le Thomas | 4 |
| Micro- and Nanophotonic Semiconductor Devices | Sem 2 | Dries Van Thourhout | 4 |
| Optical Communication and Information Processing | Sem 2 | Geert Morthier | 4 |
| Technological Processes for Photonics and Electronics: Laboratory | Sem 1+2 | Gunther Roelkens | 4 |
Students choose three elective courses (4 ECTS each) to tailor their learning path. This allows them to explore diverse Application Areas or deepen their expertise in Technology-Oriented Courses, depending on their interests and career goals.
| Course | Semester | Instructor | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master’s Dissertation | Sem 1+2 | 18 |
The master’s thesis is a substantial individual research project in which students design, fabricate, and characterize a photonic chip. The goal is to contribute to the field through innovative work, ideally resulting in a scientific publication.
- The Master in Silicon Photonics has advanced knowledge of the technologies specific to silicon photonics and a clear understanding of the specificities of photonic integrated circuits compared to electronic integrated circuits.
- The Master in Silicon Photonics has an expertise on the fundamental optical effects and working principles at play in photonic integrated circuits including a critical thinking of the light matter interaction in passive and active components made of material used in the microelectronic industry.
- The Master in Silicon Photonics is able to deploy cutting-edge solutions in a research and industrial context and has an exhaustive overview of all applications that they enable, including optical communications, information processing, sensing, metrology, quantum computing.
- The Master in Silicon Photonics is able, in a creative, critical and analytical manner, and taking into account different relevant disciplines, to identify and solve complex problems that are related to the design, characterization and manufacturing of photonic integrated circuits in industrial as well as in academic environments.
- The Master in Silicon Photonics is able to design from a systems perspective a complete photonic integrated circuit for a given application and manage its manufacturing and packaging process.
- The Master in Silicon Photonics has a future-oriented thinking on the needs of the photonic integrated circuits’ industry in terms of new integration technologies and new applications, and a problem-solving and multi-perspective attitude to tackle the challenges it will face.
- The Master in Silicon Photonics is able to conduct methodical and analytical research within state-of-the art infrastructures specific to silicon photonics in terms of simulation, characterization and fabrication.
- The Master in Silicon Photonics is able to work in teams in an international and multidisciplinary context and to communicate in English with all stakeholders in the silicon photonics ecosystem.
Learning outcomes (also referred to as programme-specific competencies) are defined as the integration of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students are expected to acquire by the end of a specific study program. These outcomes are not just about what students know, but also what they can do and how they approach situations, particularly complex or specific ones.
Additional Information
The masters offers flexible baths for workings students and contributes to the profess
Professional Development Track Flexible Paths for Working Students PIC Microcredential