Dr. Kam Lau

Professor

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Biography

Kam Y. Lau is a Professor Emeritus in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences department at the University of California, Berkeley. He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Caltech in 1978 and 1981, respectively. After obtaining his doctorate, he joined the founding staff of Ortel Corporation as chief scientist. His research has focused on semiconductor laser dynamics and he has established fundamental limits for the speed and linearity of directly modulated laser diodes, which are crucial for linear fiber-optic transmission products widely deployed in cable television networks. Lau has received several prestigious awards, including the IEEE LEOS William Streifer Scientific Achievement Award in 1996 and the OSA Nicholas Holonyak Award in 2008. He also worked as an Associate Professor at Columbia University from 1988 to 1990 before becoming a full Professor at UC Berkeley in 1990. In 1997, he co-founded LGC Wireless, Inc., which specializes in providing cost-effective wireless capacity solutions. Lau has shared his knowledge through numerous publications in leading journals in the field.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor Emeritus

2005-01-01 — Present

University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Serves as a Professor Emeritus in the EECS department, focusing on research and mentorship in optoelectronic devices and related fields.

Professor

1990-01-01 — 2005-01-01

University of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA

Full Professor in the EECS department with a focus on semiconductor laser dynamics and optical communication.

Associate Professor

1988-01-01 — 1990-01-01

Columbia University • New York, NY

Taught courses and conducted research in electrical engineering.

Awards

#1996

IEEE LEOS William Streifer Scientific Achievement Award

1996-01-01
#2008

OSA Nicholas Holonyak Award

2008-01-01
#2009

IEEE David Sarnoff Award

2009-01-01
#2009

IET J.J. Thomson Medal

2009-01-01
#2010

Benjamin Oliver Gold Medal

2010-01-01

Requirements for University of California, Berkeley

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE Subject
Overall Score
Required:500
Overall
Required:500
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent Preparation comparable to undergraduate major at Berkeley in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics 2 full years lower-division work (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Multivariable Calculus) 8 one-semester upper-division courses (Real Analysis, Complex Analysis, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra)
Application Checklist
  • Graduate Application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • C.V./Resume
  • Course and Textbook List
Specialization Notes

The Mathematics Subject GRE is required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. General GRE is optional.