OSC Specific Student Clubs
Student Optics Chapter (SOCk)
The Student Optics Chapter at the University of Arizona, or SOCk, is an educational, professional, and social outlet for undergraduate and graduate students affiliated with Optica and SPIE. Among their many activities are the biweekly Community Speakers lecture series, fun social events, and the annual Laser Fun Day outreach event. The mission of SOCk is to support students of optics by providing valuable academic resources, facilitating social networking, and representing the study of light to the public.
Optics for All (OFA) Previously: Women in Optics (WiO)
Optics for All (OFA) (previously: Women In Optics (WiO)) is a University of Arizona student club run by graduate and undergraduate students of the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. OFA leads events and initiatives to serve the optical sciences community specifically providing a forum for students from underserved, underrepresented, and underinvested backgrounds.
Practical Optics Workshop (POW)
The mission of the Practical Optics Workshop series is to fill the gap between scientific understanding of optics principles and practical implementation. Many tasks, such as safe handling of optical components or working with commercial interferometers are used daily in optical science and engineering tasks, but are seldom covered in academic classes taught at the Wyant College. This series of workshops is focused on developing hands-on skills for both optical engineering students and those already in the workforce.
Leadership Opportunities
Engineering Student Council
Founded in 1926, Engineering Student Council aims to serve as the student governing body of the College of Engineering, representing engineering clubs and students to the college, community, and industry. OSE is represented by at least one undergraduate student.
Graduate & Professional Student Council
Graduate & Professional Student Council (GPSC) promotes the causes & concerns of the graduate student body, fosters programs for growth & interaction, and disburses professional development funds.
Ambassadors
Ambassadors share information about their academic journey and their passion for optical sciences and engineering. They are chosen based on academic performance, involvement in experiences, and conversational leadership skills.
Greek Letter Societies
Phi Sigma Rho is a social sorority for engineers with core values of friendship, scholarship, and encouragement. Theta Tau Chi is a co-ed engineering fraternity with a house on Greek Row that supports fellowship and personal growth.
Service Related
Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code aims to close the gender gap in technology and computer science by offering free coding class for students in grades 6-12. Club programming is designed with the interests and experiences of girls in mind, but welcomes participants of all gender identities.
Outreach
Wyant College is dedicated to reaching out to schools within our community and beyond, to provide resources to enhance teachers’ curriculums both at the grade school and high school levels.
Engineers Without Borders
Engineers Without Borders strive to use their knowledge to improve the world. They enable communities to meet their basic needs through simple, sustainable, and powerful engineering projects.
Diversity Related
American Indian Science & Engineering Society
AISES employs a "full circle of support" that begins with pre-college programs, progresses into collegiate life, and then into the professional years of members and on into retirement.
National Society of Black Engineers
NSBE aims to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
Out in Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math
oSTEM is an organization for LGBTQ+ students and professionals in STEM. They hold events that support skill development, provide community, and advocate for membership.
Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers
SHPE undertakes the challenge to increase the number of Hispanics entering engineering, improve the continuation and graduation of the students, and achieve a higher unity among themselves.
Society of Women Engineers
SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women.
Optical Sciences Professional Organizations
SPIE
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 255,000 constituents from 183 countries, the not-for-profit society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific.
Optica
Optica (formerly OSA), Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica’s renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement.