The Physics Department offers MS in Photonics (Professional Science Master’s) and MA in Physics degrees, BS and BA (with Applied Physics track and a regular track) degrees in Physics, Physics minor, major in physics education, and a pre-engineering program. The Photonics MS Program prepares students for immediate employment in high-tech companies by providing them with an understanding of modern optics, measurement techniques, photonic devices and the tools, as well with communication skills and basic understanding of economics of high-tech industries. More detailed description of industries employing photonics specialists can be found on the website of National Photonics Initiative. The Photonics MS degree may be obtained by taking only evening courses. The Physics MA program is a more traditional program intended for students who need additional preparation before entering Physics or Engineering PhD programs, students who want to advance their quantitative and problem – solving skills before entering other fields such as quantitative finances, actuarial sciences, etc., as well as for students seeking teaching careers in secondary schools. The BS and BA degrees in Physics differ by the level of rigor, but both prepare students for careers in a wide variety of technical disciplines, for graduate school in physics or engineering, or for a science teaching career. The pre-engineering program allows student to complete the BA degree in Physics following the Applied Physics track, and to subsequently transfer to one of the engineering programs at Columbia University. Students in the pre-engineering program have an opportunity to graduate with both physics and engineering degrees.<br><br>Combined Physics B.S. – Photonics M.S. program (149 credits, Major Code: PHYPH-BSMS), offers best students an opportunity to obtain both B.S. and M.S degrees in 5 years instead of usual 6 and with only 149 credits instead of 163. Sixteen graduate credits will be taken while students are still undergraduates and are charged at the undergraduate rates giving students a substantial saving. Photonics M.S. program has been certified by the Council of Graduate Studies as Professional Master’s Program. See more details on the Photonics M.S. home page .