Distance Learning FAQ

1. What does the program (curriculum) look like? What courses will I have to take?
2. What if I can only take 1 course per term (or year or decade) instead of 2?
3. Can I take some classes on campus and some in DL format if I want to?
4. Will I have to take any classes on campus? Will
   I ever have to come to campus for any reason?
5. Do you accept any transfer credit?
6. How will I interact with my professors? Fellow students?
7. Will the classes meet on a regular basis (schedule)? When?
   If not, how do I get help when I need it?
8. If classes meet on a regular schedule and I'm 3 time zones
   away and still at work, what do I do?
9. Who will my advisor be? How will I interact with that person?
10. What if I need/want to make a change in my program?
11. What kind of equipment will I need? What kind of computer?
    Video equipment? What kind of internet connection? Do I need a high-speed
    connection? Do I need a fax? Anything else?
12. Does RIT provide any of the equipment?
13. How will I be tested? How will I find out what my grades
    are?
14. Will there be homework? How do I turn it in?
15. Are there group projects? How will they be done?
16. Will there be lab sessions? How do we do them?
17. Do I have to do a thesis?
18. How do I register for classes?
19. How do I get my textbooks? Other course material?
20. How much does it cost? How do I pay? How do I get financial
    aid?
21. If my employer is going to pay my tuition, how do they
    do it?
22. Is this the same as a degree I get by taking classes on
    campus?

 
1.What does the program (curriculum)
look like? What courses will I have to take? TOP

The program is the Master of Science in Imaging Science.
For a description of the program, please see the Graduate
Bulletin.

.

You will take core courses in mathematics and the basic
principles of imaging science, and a selected specialty track. The program
focuses on the science, technology, applications and design of a wide variety
of imaging systems, and each track has its own focus.

2. What if I can only take 1 course
per term (or year or decade) instead of 2? TOP

The most appropriate form of the graduate program for DL
students will be with 11 courses and a project & paper rather than 9 courses
plus a thesis. The time to complete the program will depend upon the number
of courses per term. We discourage taking more than two per term, and, in
fact, will not offer more than two per term the first year of the program.
Taking one course per term is satisfactory.

3. Can I take some classes on campus
and some in DL format if I want to? TOP

Yes. The courses offered in the DL format and the on-campus
courses are intended to be equivalent and interchangeable. Preferential registration
for will be given to DL students for DL sections.

4. Will I have to take any classes
on campus? Will I ever have to come to campus for any reason? TOP

We intend to offer the Master of Science degree in Imaging
Science on a completely DL basis for students who qualify for the project
& paper option. Students who have to do a thesis will have to arrange
with a faculty advisor to carry out the necessary research and thesis defense,
and will need to be present on campus for an amount of time that is determined
by the advisor.

5. Do you accept any transfer credit?
TOP

Yes. The amount of transfer credit is determined on an individual basis
and follows the same policy as that for on-campus students. At least 37
of the 45 required credit hours must be earned at RIT.

6. How will I interact
with my professors? Fellow students? TOP

Each DL course will provide regular means for interaction
with the faculty and other students. The mechanisms include online discussion
forums, e-mail, posted messages and live chat. Special study and project groups
may be set up, depending on the course requirements.

7.Will the classes meet on a regular
basis (schedule)? When? If not, how do I get help when I need it? TOP

Classes will have regular study assignments and material
to be submitted. However, classes will not meet as a group. Instead, regular
interaction will be asynchronous. In unusual cases, a live conference may
be arranged. Help will be obtained by submitting questions to the professor
and interacting with the study group by Web discussion and exchange of course
material.

8. If classes meet on a regular schedule
and I'm 3 time zones away and still at work, what do I do? TOP

The classes will not have a group meeting schedule. Individual
live interaction may be arranged with the professor and smaller groups.

9.Who will my advisor be? How will
I interact with that person? TOP

Initially, your advisor will be the Graduate Coordinator.
When a track is chosen, a faculty member from the chosen track will be assigned.

10.What if I need/want to make a
change in my program? TOP

You will work that out with your advisor and the Graduate
Coordinator, just as you would if you were an on-campus student.

11. What kind of equipment
will I need? What kind of computer? Video equipment? What kind of internet connection?
Do I need a high-speed connection? Do I need a fax? Anything else? TOP

You will need a computer and an Internet connection with
a standard Web browser. A telephone connection via modem will be sufficient,
but a faster connection via cable modem, DSL or other means will be helpful
but not essential. You will not need a fax or video equipment. You will need
an inexpensive scanner to enable you to send images, hand-written notes and
other material to the instructor and other students.

12. Does RIT provide any of the equipment?
TOP

RIT is unable to provide equipment. All necessary equipment
and software is the responsibility of the student. RIT will be proactive in
working with students where possible to obtain favorable terms on equipment
and software.

It will be possible to purchase items from the RIT bookstore on the same terms
as on-campus students.

13. How will I be tested?
How will I find out what my grades are? TOP

You will be tested by responding to questions posed by the
instructor. This will likely include on-line exams as well as longer assignments
and projects that are submitted to the instructor via the Internet.

14. Will there be homework? How do
I turn it in? TOP

Homework will be a part of every course, with the expectation
of weekly assignments. Homework will be returned via the Internet to the instructor.
The instructor will arrange for appropriate feedback to you.

15. Are there group projects? How
will they be done? TOP

Many classes will have group projects. Groups will be arranged
within each course using Web tools. Typically, each group will have private
discussion and chat arrangement, the ability to share materials, and the ability
to interact with the instructor. Working in groups is an important part of
imaging system development.

16. Will there be lab sessions? How
do we do them? TOP

Many courses will have laboratory sessions. Each experiment
will be constructed so that it can either be done electronically, or with
readily available materials, or with special materials provided through the
course.

17. Do I have to do a thesis? TOP

It is anticipated that most DL students will not do a thesis.
Instead, those who qualify will find the project/paper option to be more attractive.
See the Graduate
Bulletin for more information.

18. How do I register for classes?
TOP

Matriculated students can register through the RIT on-line
registration system. Non-matriculated students should contact the graduate
office at grad-dl@cis.rit.edu for further information.

19. How do I get my textbooks? Other
course material? TOP

Textbooks can be purchased from the RIT bookstore or from
other bookstores. Special course material will be made available through the
Center for registered students.

20. How much does it cost? How do
I pay? How do I get financial aid? TOP

Most students will pay the part-time graduate tuition rate. The current per credit hour rates can be found on the Student Financial Services Office Web stie. Payment is made through the RIT Bursar's office by check or credit card. At this time financial aid is not offered to DL students.

21. If my employer is going to pay
my tuition, how do they do it? TOP

RIT makes direct payment arrangements with a number of employers.
These are arranged on an individual basis for each employer. Contact grad-dl@cis.rit.edu
for further information.

22. Is this the same as a degree
I get by taking classes on campus? TOP

Yes. There will be no distinction made between on-campus and distance learning
degrees.