CLC laser, photonics and optics program celebrates 'Year of Light'
The College of Lake County, known as a leading educator in the field of lasers, photonics and optics, will recognize the International Year of Light at a CLC Open House and at several events at the Lake County High Schools Technology Campus this fall.
Throughout 2015, the United Nations has been celebrating the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies to raise awareness of how optical technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to worldwide challenges in energy, education, communications, health and sustainability.
CLC received a prestigious National Science Foundation grant to help develop an Associate in Applied Science degree and three certificates. It is the only community college in Illinois to offer training in this high-tech and field. CLC's lab is equipped with the industry's latest equipment, including a fiber laser and computer-controlled adaptive optics technology. Courses are also offered to high school students at Tech Campus through CLC's Dual Credit program.
According to the National Center for Optics and Photonics Education (OP-TEC), college programs in the field are expected to produce only enough graduates to meet one-third of the projected demand for new photonics technicians through 2017.
Domino North America in Gurnee, for example, has hired 11 CLC LPO students for either full-time positions or internships. Jobs are available in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, defense, entertainment, energy, medicine, automotive, lighting and communications. Firms such as Baxter, Abbott Labs, Boeing, John Deere, Goodrich, Kreischer and Northrop Grumman use laser and optics technology in the manufacturing process and employ technicians.
The CLC Laser/Photonics/Optics program will offer four evening courses during Fall Semester, which begins Aug. 24. Students must meet math and language proficiencies to enroll in the introductory course, Fundamentals of Light and Lasers (LPO 111). In this open-entry blended course (face-to-face and online), students can begin the course any time during the first month of the semester and still complete it by Dec. 18. After taking LPO 111, students may enroll in subsequent courses and work toward a certificate or A.A.S. degree.
For more information, visit www.clcillinois.edu/programs/lpo or contact Professor Steve Dulmes at (847) 543-2330 or eng526@clcillinois.edu. Fall Semester classes begin Aug. 24.