Science

Bachelor of Science in Applied Optics and Lasers

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Optics and Lasers is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in applied optics and lasers. The programme falls under the Pure & Applied Sciences category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Geometric Optics, Physical Optics, Laser Physics, Optoelectronics, Fibre Optics, Quantum Mechanics. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Electromagnetic Theory, Fibre Optics, Laser Technology, Optical Design, Optical Instrumentation. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Geometric Optics, Physical Optics, Laser Physics, Optoelectronics, Fibre Optics. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Optical Communications and Fibre Optics, Laser Technology and Applications, Optoelectronics and Photonics. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Applied Optics and Lasers pursue careers as Optical Engineer, Laser Technician, Photonics Research Assistant, Fibre Optics Engineer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 306,000
Private, up to: Ksh 191,700
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Geometric Optics
Physical Optics
Laser Physics
Optoelectronics
Fibre Optics
Quantum Mechanics
Electromagnetic Theory
Optical Communications
Spectroscopy
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Geometric Optics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Ray optics, reflection, refraction, lenses, mirrors and optical instrument principles.
Physical Optics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Wave optics, interference, diffraction, polarisation and optical wave propagation.
Laser Physics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Laser principles, stimulated emission, laser types, laser cavities and beam properties.
Optoelectronics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Optoelectronics: Light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, solar cells and optoelectronic devices. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Fibre Optics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Optical fibre principles, fibre types, fibre communication systems and fibre testing.
Quantum Mechanics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantum theory, wave functions, quantum states and applications to optical systems.
Electromagnetic Theory
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, waveguides and electromagnetic radiation.
Optical Communications
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Optical communication systems, modulation, multiplexing and optical network design.
Spectroscopy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Spectroscopic techniques, atomic and molecular spectra and spectroscopic instrumentation.
Laser Applications
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Industrial, medical and scientific applications of lasers, laser safety and laser processing.
Optical Design
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Optical system design principles, lens design, optical simulation and design software.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project on an optics or photonics topic, including laboratory experiments and written report.

Specialisations

Optical Communications and Fibre Optics
Focus on optical fibre communication systems, network design and fibre optic technology. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Laser Technology and Applications
Specialisation in laser systems, laser materials processing and laser applications in industry and medicine.
Optoelectronics and Photonics
Concentration on optoelectronic devices, photonic materials and semiconductor optoelectronics. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Optical Instrumentation and Design
Focus on optical instrument design, optical testing and precision optical measurements. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Spectroscopy and Optical Sensing
Specialisation in spectroscopic techniques, optical sensing and analytical applications. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on laser physics and optical communications, conducting laboratory experiments on optical systems and laser measurements, using optical design software for simulations and participating in photonics research discussions.

The trade offs

In its favour

Only programme of its kind in the region, offering unique career opportunities in photonics and optical technology.
Strong international connections through professional bodies like OPTICA and SPIE.
Growing demand for photonics professionals in telecommunications and manufacturing.

Against it

Highly specialised field with a narrow job market in Kenya currently.
Only offered at one university, limiting institution choice.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public261k to 306k

261k at University of Nairobi306k at Kenyatta University

Private192k to 192k

192k at Kabarak University192k at Kabarak University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 306K/yr, UoN 260.9K/yr (KUCCPS). Kabarak 191.7K/yr. MKU doesn't offer physics.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships and county government bursaries.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: A-level with two principal passes and one subsidiary pass in relevant subjects, or a relevant Diploma from an institution recognised by the University Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Laboratory Practicals
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, laboratory practical assessments and optical experiment reports throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Comprehensive written and practical examinations covering optics, laser physics and photonics.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised attachment with a telecommunications company, research institution or optical technology firm, assessed through logbook and written report.
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Independent research project on an optics or photonics topic, including laboratory experiments and written report.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Multimedia University of Kenya, the only university in the region offering this specialised programme.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. This programme must be offered by a CUE-accredited university.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Optical Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Designs and develops optical systems, instruments and devices for telecommunications, manufacturing and research applications.
Laser Technician
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Operates and maintains laser systems in manufacturing, medical or research settings.
Photonics Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 95,000
Supports photonics research projects at research institutions or universities through laboratory work and data analysis.
Fibre Optics Engineer
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 135,000
Designs, installs and maintains fibre optic communication networks for telecommunications companies.
Optical Design Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 125,000
Uses optical design software to develop and optimise optical systems for various applications.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as optical engineers, laser technicians, photonics researchers, optical design specialists and fibre optics engineers in telecommunications, manufacturing and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MATLAB
SoftwarePrimary
Numerical computing environment for optical simulations, data analysis and modelling.
Zemax OpticStudio
SoftwarePrimary
Optical design software for designing and analysing optical systems.
Python
Software
Programming language for data analysis, optical simulations and automation.
COMSOL Multiphysics
Software
Simulation software for electromagnetic and optical wave propagation modelling.
LabVIEW
Software
Laboratory virtual instrumentation software for data acquisition and instrument control.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Applied Optics and Lasers is only about making lasers.
The programme covers optical physics, fibre optics, optoelectronics, optical communications, spectroscopy and photonics materials in addition to laser technology.
Graduates only work in research laboratories.
Graduates work in telecommunications, manufacturing, medical device companies, optical instrument firms and research institutions.
The programme has no practical applications in Kenya.
Optical technologies underpin Kenya's telecommunications infrastructure, medical imaging and manufacturing sectors.
Applied Optics and Lasers is the same as Physics.
While based on physics principles, the programme focuses specifically on optical and photonic technologies, which is a specialised field.