Implementation of the education

Last edit: 07/01/2010
Approved: 07/01/2010

Structure of the education

The program consists of two academic years, each comprising about 9 months and divided into two terms with two study periods per term. Each study period ends in an examination period.

The first year consists mainly of compulsory courses in optics, principles of communications, quantum electronics, methodology of science, fiber-optical communications, and photonics. Courses in laser engineering and optical measurement techniques are conditionally elective.

Courses

The programme is course-based. Lists of courses are included in Appendix 1: Course list

The courses are either compulsory or conditionally elective. After application, students may be allowed to take extra courses which can be included in the degree but which can not take the place of compulsory or conditionally elective courses to fulfill the requirements for a degree.

Grading system

Courses in the first and the second cycle are graded on a scale from A to F. A-E are passing grades, A is the highest grade. The grades pass (P) and fail (F) are used for courses under certain circumstances.

At KTH a grading scale with seven levels A-F is used for final grades in advanced level courses and for the thesis. A-E are passing grades where A is the highest grade.

The grades pass (P) and fail (F) are for partial grades in some courses, for example for laboratories, and as final grades in small conditionally elective courses.

Conditions for participation in the programme

Students make a study enrolment before each term. Courses are chosen by the student prior to the second term of the first year and prior to each of the two terms of the second year. The choice is limited to the courses in the course list.

Students who are term registered are considered as expected students in all chosen courses. Students announce their participation in an individual course to the teacher responsible for the course in the beginning of the course. Students announce possible interruptions in their studies to the teacher responsible for the course.

A student is allowed to start the second year of studies after promotion to the second year. The condition for promotion to the second year is completion of 45 hp in the first year.

Recognition of previous academic studies

KTHs policy för tillgodoräknande: KTH-handboken II 13.3.

Studies abroad

The courses of the first year of the program should be followed at KTH, and the master’s thesis project in the second year may be performed at universities or companies abroad.

Degree project

To be awarded a master’s degree in Photonics the student must, within the course requirements, have fulfilled an independent work (the degree project) of at least 30hp in Photonics.

The subject for the degree project may be chosen by the student to be performed at KTH, at other universities, or in industry. A student who has been promoted to the second year may apply to start a thesis project. The thesis is graded on the scale A-F according to the guidelines detemined by KTH and by the School of ICT.

Conditions for starting the degree project is promotion to the second year.

KTHs riktlinjer: KTH-handboken II 15.5

Degree

The Master’s degree is obtained after completion of the courses and the thesis with a total of at least 120hp. The degree is "Teknologie masterexamen", translated into English as "Degree of Master of Science (two years)". The degree is awarded after application from the student.

KTHs lokala examensordning: KTH-handboken II 19.1