to offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in Laser Electro- Optics Technology.

Texas State Technical Institute-Waco (TSTI-WACO) was the first school in the United States to offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in Laser Electro-Optics Technology. The program began in September 1969 and has produced 1,827 graduates since inception. These graduates are readily adaptable to any area of the laser electro-optics industry. Areas of study include Optics, Electronics, Vacuum, Physics, Mathematics, and English with emphasis on Electro-Optics. Graduate placement is centered around research and develop­ ment, life sciences and manufacturing in technical and engineering areas. Education of technicians for the Electro-Optics industry is a unique task in a four- year university. At TSTI-WACO a program was developed to produce technicians in twenty one months. This degree plan is algebra and trigonometry based with emphasis placed on teaching the basics first in conceptual format with Lecture:Laboratories Ratio of 40:60. Then more advanced work in the same form is completed with the lab area heavily capital­ ized. This curriculum is graduating 100 to 110 capable technicians a year with graduation occurring four quarters a year in June, August, November, and February. The majority of these graduates are in the June and August time frame. The curriculum structure is offered for your consideration. 2. CURRICULUM STRUCTURE First quarter curriculum includes courses in college algebra, basic electronics, and basic optics. These are enabling courses which provide training to support more advanced courses in future quarters. During this time students have the options to enroll in courses which enhance future learning skills. Such courses include Psychology, English, and basic Machine Shop Operations. Basic Electricity and Electronic courses are troubleshooting, not design based. They are intended to familiarize the student with DC and AC circuit analysis via extensive lab work. Students must have a working knowledge of algebra to be successful in all courses. This is a good time to start the beginning student who has only basic math and physics skills into optics. Introductory optics are taught in a basic component operation theory and lab course. This course contains only basic components such as: tables, benches, supports, windows, mirrors, flats, etalons, filters, beam splitters, prisms, lenses, gratings, and polarizers with an introduction to terminology used in the optics industry. Support courses such as Computer Science are based upon languages such as basic or assem­ bler to promote future understanding in computer and electro-optics interfacing. Machine Shop provides not only operation of milling machines, lathe and drill presses, but also places emphasis on blueprint reading and how to make specifications. Second Quarter courses continue to strengthen the student's background in math, phys­ ics, and basic electronics. It is very important that the student use the material learned in the previous quarter during this time. Plane trigonometry is required for a further understanding of AC circuit analysis and geometrical optics. In the Third Quarter, courses to introduce Lasers, Laser Safety, Vacuum Technology, and Geometrical Optics are approached from a conceptual view. Course work includes basic laser theory in the areas of Operation, Safety, Properties of Light, Lasing Action, Optical Cavities, Modes of Oscillation, and Temporal and Spatial Characteristics with well-equipped laboratories to support a hands-on approach to these theoretical areas. Since glass-forming processes are very important for an understanding of optical glass system characteristics, a course in Optical Glass Fabrication is offered to familiarize the student with the proper selection and use of optical glasses. The Geometric Optics course includes a more intense study of optics than basic components course. Inclusive is a study of all passive optical components using Graphical Ray Tracing and Mathematical Solution methods. The course is designed to enable the student to understand the basic geometrical principles of light and their application to elements of an optical system. Examples of elements studied are reflection prisms, refraction prisms, refraction plates,