Fundamentals of optoelectronics with application to fiber optic communications. Optical fibre: modes, losses, dispersion, splices and coupling to sources. Optical sources: LEDs and laser diodes. Optical detectors: photoconductor, pin and avalanche photodiodes. Optical receiver design. Fiber optic communications systems: intensity modulation/direct detection; coherent homodyne or heterodyne detection. Prerequisite(s): PLT 4002.Lectures three hours a week, laboratory three hours alternate weeks.