Gallatin College MSU enters sub-contract to expand photonics and laser technology program 

Gallatin College Montana State University has entered a $800,000 sub-contract from the American Center for Optics Manufacturing to expand the college’s photonics and laser technology program.

Gallatin College MSU will establish a new optical metrology lab to teach students about radiometry and characterizing the physical properties of objects using light, complementing the college’s existing electronics and laser teaching lab spaces. The lab will be shared with MSU’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and potentially become a resource for local industry members.

“The new AmeriCOM-funded optical metrology teaching lab promises to not only bring additional and highly relevant training to our students but also provides a pathway for larger cooperation between regional industry partners, Gallatin College and Montana State University,” said Mark Craig, director of the photonics and laser technology program.

Gallatin College MSU will also explore adding a one-year applied science certificate and dual enrollment option — a pathway for earning college credit in high school — for photonics and optics courses.

Gallatin College MSU joins four other colleges in the United States offering optical technician training as sub-contracting partners of AmeriCOM. The nonprofit has been designated by the U.S. Department of Defense to invest in optic manufacturing technologies, testing equipment and specialized materials for scalable manufacturing.

“We look forward to our continued work together to provide pathways for people interested in a career in precision optics manufacturing, particularly in the specialized fields of photonics and laser technologies,” said Dave Shelton, AmeriCOM president and CEO.

Gallatin College MSU’s Associate of Applied Science in Photonics and Laser Technology degree program, established in 2016, is the only two-year college optics program in the state. Since its inception, the program has graduated 35 technicians who contribute to leading photonics and optics companies in southwest Montana and across the country. The program has a 100% placement rate of graduates pursuing careers in the field.

Current students receive training in geometric and physical optics, DC/AC circuits, electronics and logic design, laser design and operating principles, and laser system component design and characterization. Working with industry-standard equipment prepares them for the optics field in Montana, which was named a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub by the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2023.

The sub-contract will also support Gallatin College MSU’s collaboration with the Montana Photonics and Quantum Alliance, which grows organizations creating economic opportunity in Montana, and the Montana Headwaters Tech Hub, a Montana consortium developing smart photonic sensor systems.

“Gallatin College MSU is uniquely situated to make a positive impact on our local and statewide economies,” said Stephanie Gray, dean of the college. “The AmeriCOM sub-contract brings needed equipment and new curriculum to our institution with a focus on future workforce development.”