Master’s thesis “Optical studies of PbS and PbSe quantum dots in glass matrices” is devoted to the original studies that Valentina Litvyak conducted at the Spin optics laboratory in the period of her master’s degree in Physics Faculty of St. Petersburg State University.  The main task of her work was an optical characterization of the samples containing lead sulfide quantum dots in glass matrices. For this a new optical setup for measuring of the transmission spectra in the mid-infrared spectra region was built by her. During the installation of the setup, she took an active part in the manufacture of the necessary components, including a bolometer and a prism monochromator. She had drawn all the printed circuit boards, assembled radio electronic circuits and adjusted the optical parts of the setup. A set of measurements of various samples containing PbS and PbSe quantum dots of various diameters in fluorine and silicate glasses was carried out at the installation created by Valentina Mikhailovna. Accurate measurements of spectra at various temperatures of the sample made it possible to establish the temperature dependence of the energy of various optical transitions for points of different types, and a comparison with theoretical calculations made it possible to establish the nature of the excited states. In parallel with the experiments, Valentina Mikhailovna analyzed the theoretical features of the band structure of lead chalcogenides, and numerous models that allow calculating the position of optical transitions. The undoubted advantage of her work is independence, with which she developed this new direction in our laboratory.  In the master's thesis, Litvyak V.M., the task formulation, the current state of research in this field, as well as many technical aspects related to the installation of the new setup, are reflected in detail. Her work can be recommended for reading to students of junior courses dealing with optical spectroscopy. This work satisfies all the requirements for master's dissertations with an "excellent" rating, and its author Litvyak V.M. - the award of the required degree of master of physics.