Founded in 1929 as the first Optics education program in the United States of America by a grant from Kodak and Bausch and Lomb, The Institute of Optics is an academic department in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at The University of Rochester. The purpose of The Institute of Optics is to educate the next generation of leaders in the field of Optics.

The mission of The Institute of Optics is to provide the finest educational and research experience in Optical Physics, Applied Optics and Optical Engineering. The Institute grants undergraduate, masters and PhD degrees in Optics. The Institute of Optics has granted over 2400 degrees in Optics, approximately half of all degrees awarded in Optics in the United States.

Faculty and Staff at The Institute of Optics are fully dedicated to providing a challenging and enjoyable educational experience in the broad field of Optics, through rigorous academic instruction, laboratory exercises, informal events, and networking.

The Institute of Optics consists of 17 full-time professors, 9 professors with Optics joint appointments in diverse department such as Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, Physics, Dermatology, Electrical Engineering, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, The Simon School of Business, and Chemistry. Approximately 80 undergraduate students and 80 graduate students (~38% non-US citizens) are in the program. In addition, 5 adjunct professors teach various courses, and approximately 12 research scientists and post-doctoral scientists carry out advanced research. A staff of 11 provides department support.

Since 1962, The Institute of Optics has presented The Optics Summer School , a collection short courses ranging from fundamentals to advanced topics in Optical Science and Engineering. The lectures are presented by national leaders in Optics from the The Institute and around the country.

Since 1968, The Institute of Optics has maintained an Industrial Associates Program. Currently, over 20 companies are members. They participate with The Institute in many ways, particularly during the two meetings per year that are typically held in October and April.

The Institute of Optics currently occupies all of the Wilmot Building, and in addition, shares the new Goergen Hall with the Biomedical Engineering Department.