Color Science M.S. & Ph.D.

Color has been a topic of intense interest and inquiry for hundreds if not thousands of years. Philosophers (Aristotle), poets (Goethe), physicists (Newton), and mathematicians (Schrödinger) have all contributed to our understanding about color. As a generalization, color science can be defined as the quantification of our perception of color. Its mastery requires an interdisciplinary educational approach encompassing physics, chemistry, physiology, statistics, computer science and psychology. Color science is used in the design and control of most man-made colored materials including textiles, coatings, and polymers and to specify such diverse materials as soil and wine.  It is used extensively in color reproduction including digital photography, desktop and projection display, and printing. As we begin the twenty first century, color science is ubiquitous.

Color science research at RIT encompasses such diverse fields as medical data visualization, computer graphics and animation, art conservation, spectral and spatial measurements of materials, color printing, digital photography, motion picture and television, and modeling of our perceptions for use in defining color quality. RIT has a long history of scholarship in this area through its M.S. degree in Color Science, begun in 1986, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Imaging Science, and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering, Quality and Applied Statistics, Computer Science and Print Media.

The program is designed for students whose undergraduate majors are in physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, engineering, experimental psychology, imaging, or any applied discipline pertaining to the quantitative description of color, for example, textiles, graphic arts, animation, material science, and polymer science. All Ph.D. students must earn 99 quarter credits as a graduate student (45 credits for the M.S.). For full-time students, the Ph.D. program requires three or more years of study at the graduate level for students entering the program with a baccalaureate degree (2 years for the M.S.). The curriculum is a combination of required courses in color science, elective courses appropriate for the candidate’s background and interests, a three-quarter-research project during the second year of study, and a research dissertation (M.S. students complete a thesis or project in the second year.). Ph.D. students must pass a qualifying examination during their second year of study and a candidacy examination at least one year before completing their dissertation. Candidates who wish to enter the program but lack adequate preparation might have to take as many as 36 credits of undergraduate foundation courses in mathematics, statistics, computer science and general science before matriculating with graduate status.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The goal of the admissions process is to select students whose previous education, ability, and practical experience indicate a good chance of success. Scientific reasoning, technical writing, and oral communication skills are particularly important.

The specific requirements are as follows:

•      Graduate application
•      Earned baccalaureate degree
•      Graduate record examination (GRE)
•      Official undergraduate transcript
•      Two professional recommendations
•      An on-campus interview when possible
•      GPA of 3.0 or higher
•      Foundation course work of 3.0 or higher (if required)
•      TOEFL score of at least 240 (computer-based) or 587 (paper-based) or 94 (internet-based)  (international students)

Students receiving fully funded assistantships tend to have undergraduate cumulative grade point averages of 3.5 and higher and exceptional GRE scores. Applicants whose native language is not English typically have TOEFL scores above 250 (computer based) or 600 (paper based) or 100 (new internet based).

Candidates without adequate undergraduate work in related sciences must take foundation courses prior to matriculation into the graduate program.  Such students may be required to take as many as 36 credits in these subjects. A written agreement between the candidate and the graduate program coordinator will identify the required foundation courses. Foundation courses must be completed with an overall B average before a student can matriculate into the graduate program. A maximum of nine graduate-level credit hours may be taken prior to matriculation into the graduate program.

The following lists the required undergraduate-level foundation courses.

One year of calculus
One year of college physics
One year of college physics laboratory
One course in computer programming
One course in matrix algebra
One course in statistics
One course in introductory psychology
One course in English writing (technical writing preferred)

Note: Students will be assessed for English language skills upon arrival at RIT and might be requested to take English as a Second Language (ESL), or other, courses prior to continuing in the graduate program.

CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENT

The Ph.D. degree requires 99 credit hours of coursework and research. A minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework, including the core curriculum, is required. A minimum of 27 credit hours of research, including the second-year research project, is required. Three years of full-time study or their equivalent in part-time study are required.

The M.S. degree requires 45 credit hours of coursework and research. Core courses and electives make up 36 credits, while the remaining 9 credit hours are the M.S. thesis. With approval of the graduate coordinator, students with industrial research experience can complete a 4 credit hour project in place of the M.S. thesis and complete 41 credit hours of coursework.

CORE CURRICULUM

Core courses are completed during the first year of study for both M.S. and Ph.D. students.

ELECTIVE COURSES

Elective courses are selected depending on the student’s interests and background. All electives must be approved by the Color Science Graduate Coordinator or the student’s dissertation research advisor.

Ph.D. students typically take 4 credit hours of electives each quarter in years one through three until 36 quarter-credits hours have been accumulated. M.S. students usually complete the 7 credit hours of electives during year one. The following electives are typical examples:

SECOND YEAR Ph.D. RESEARCH PROJECT

During the second year, the student will engage in graduate-level research. The topic may or may not be the same as the dissertation topic. Nine credit hours are normally taken. One of the purposes of this research project is to evaluate the student’s research capabilities and suitability for doctoral level research.

Ph.D. QUALIFYING EXAMINATION

All Ph.D. students must pass a qualifying examination. Its purpose is to determine whether the student has a sufficient depth of knowledge in color science and the ability to perform research at the doctoral level. The examination is administered by a faculty committee that is appointed by the Color Science Graduate Coordinator.

One component of the examination is a written test. The written test is given twice each year, during the first and sixth weeks of Spring Quarter, is ordinarily taken after completing the core curriculum and is based on the core curriculum in Color Science and any material deemed appropriate by the committee. Note that these courses’ required readings include textbooks and current literature.

The second component of the examination is an evaluation of the second-year research project. Criteria include depth of research, productivity, quality, analytical skills, and the ability to communicate results. Successful completion of this requirement is documented by a written technical report on the second-year project along with submission of any draft publications or conference papers resulting from the work. In addition, a written statement on research capabilities from the research advisor(s) is provided to the committee.

The student must successfully pass the qualifying examination to continue in the Ph.D. program.

Students that do not pass the qualifying examination may request in writing to the Color Science Graduate Coordinator to switch into the M.S. program. Requests must be received before the end of the quarter in which the second written test was taken.  Students with permission to enter the M.S. program will use their second year research project as an M.S. research thesis topic. A written thesis is required. They can graduate with an M.S. in Color Science. Note that they will have completed the identical degree requirements as students matriculated into the M.S. program (except having taken additional elective courses).

DISSERTATION/THESIS RESEARCH ADVISOR

After the student passes the qualifying examination, a dissertation research advisor will be selected based on the student’s research interests, faculty research interests, and discussions with the Color Science Graduate Coordinator. Ph.D. students should have a dissertation advisor in place by the end of year two of study. M.S. students select a thesis advisor near the end of year one.

DISSERTATION/THESIS PROPOSAL

All students are required to complete a dissertation/thesis proposal. M.S. students should complete their proposal near the end of year one or beginning of year two in consultation with their research advisor. Ph.D. students should complete their dissertation proposal at the end of year two.

Proposals should include the following sections:
Title
Abstract
Project Summary
Introduction / Problem Statement
Review of Literature
Statement of Work
Discussion of Statement of Work
Impact
Timeline
References

In addition, the text of the proposal should address all of the following questions:
What is the problem you're going to study?
Why is this an important problem to study?
What have others already done in this area?
What are the limitations of prior work, and what are the open issues you plan to work on?
What kinds of studies/experiments are you going to do to investigate these issues?
How are you going to do these studies/experiments?
What will you do with the results?
What will the impact/contributions of the project be?

The Project Summary should also include answers to all of these questions within the span of a few pages.

Ph.D. DISSERTATION COMMITTEE

After the student passes the qualifying examination, a Dissertation Committee of four members is appointed for the duration of the student’s tenure in the program. The committee will include the dissertation research advisor, one additional member of the color-science faculty, and an external chair appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies on behalf of the Provost. The external chair must be a tenured member of the RIT faculty who is not a current member of the color- or imaging-science faculty and who holds a Ph.D. or equivalent degree. The fourth member may be an RIT faculty member, or affiliated with industry or another institution.  The Color Science Graduate Coordinator must approve persons who are not members of the RIT faculty.

The duties of the Dissertation Committee include:
•    Preparing and administering the examination for admission to candidacy,
•    Assisting in planning and coordinating the research,
•    Providing research advice,
•    Supervising the writing of the dissertation, and
•    Conducting the final examination of the dissertation.

M.S. THESIS COMMITTEE

M.S. theses are approved by the thesis advisor and one other member of the Color Science Graduate Faculty (with final approval by the graduate coordinator). There is no formal M.S. thesis defense, but all students are required to make a public presentation of their research (typically at a professional conference). 
 

STUDY PLAN

During the first quarter of study, the student and the Color Science Graduate Coordinator will develop a study plan. This plan may be revised as necessary, subject to approval by the Color Science Graduate Coordinator. For example, the dissertation research advisor or the Dissertation Committee may recommend a revised study plan to include specific graduate electives.

ADMISSION TO Ph.D. CANDIDACY

When the student thoroughly understands the dissertation research topic and has completed the dissertation proposal, the Dissertation Committee will administer an examination to determine if the student can be admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree in Color Science. The purpose of the examination is to ensure the student has the necessary intellectual skills and background knowledge to carry out their specific doctoral-level research project. The exam will consist of an oral presentation of the dissertation proposal followed by questions from the Dissertation Committee (a "proposal defense"). The examination must be administered no later than one year prior to defending the dissertation. The Dissertation Committee will immediately notify the candidate and the Color Science Graduate Coordinator of the result of the examination. Candidacy examinations are not open to the public.
The dissertation proposal must be completed, approved by the dissertation research advisor, and submitted to the full Dissertation Committee at least four weeks prior to the candidacy examination. Additional revision of the proposal might be required after the candidacy examination.

RESIDENCY

All students in the program must spend at least three consecutive quarters (summer quarter may be excluded) as resident full-time students to be eligible to receive the Ph.D. A full-time academic load is defined as a minimum of nine academic credits per quarter or an equivalent amount of research as certified by the Color Science Graduate Coordinator.

TIME LIMITATIONS

All candidates for the Ph.D. must maintain continuous enrollment during the research phase of the program. Such enrollment is not limited by the maximum number of research credits that apply to the degree. Normally, full-time students complete the course of study for the doctorate in approximately four to five years. Requirements for the degree must be completed within seven years of the date students pass the qualifying examination.

FINAL EXAMINATION OF THE Ph.D. DISSERTATION

Once the dissertation has been written, distributed to the Dissertation Committee, and the Committee agrees to administer the final examination, the doctoral candidate can schedule the final examination.

The final examination of the dissertation is open to the public and is primarily a defense of the dissertation research. The examination consists of an oral presentation by the student, followed by questions from the audience. The Dissertation Committee may also elect to privately question the candidate following the presentation. The Dissertation Committee will immediately notify the candidate and the Color Science Graduate Coordinator of the result of the examination.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

All candidates for the Ph.D. must serve as a teaching assistant for a minimum of one course in color science to be eligible to receive the Ph.D. Candidates are encouraged to serve as a teaching assistant for two or more courses.

PUBLIC PRESENTATION EXPERIENCE

All candidates for the Ph.D. must present research in a public forum to be eligible to receive the Ph.D. The preferred public forum is a technical conference.

COLOR SCIENCE M.S. GRADUATES

Graduates from RIT’s M.S. in Color Science are eligible to participate in the doctoral program in Color Science. It is suggested that graduates contact the Color Science Graduate Coordinator to discuss their suitability for doctoral level research. Before matriculating into the program, students must pass the qualifying examination. The written portion of the examination can be taken remotely using the same testing procedures as distance-learning students. Once the examination has been passed successfully, students can be admitted into the doctoral program. Up to 45 credits can be applied towards the degree including 24 credits of core courses, 12 credits of graduate elective courses, and 9 credits of M.S. level research. The doctoral degree can be completed on a full- or part-time basis as long as the residency requirements are met.

M.S. AND M.A. GRADUATES FROM RELATED DISCIPLINES

Because of the inter-disciplinary nature of color science, it is anticipated that students with M.S. and M.A. graduate degrees will apply to the Ph.D. degree. Graduate courses in related disciplines can be used as elective courses towards the degree. Furthermore, for degrees that required a research thesis, the second year research project may be waived. Thus, it may be possible for students with graduate degrees in a related discipline to take the qualifying examination during their first year of study at RIT. The total number of graduate credits that can be applied to the Ph.D. in Color Science cannot exceed 45 credit hours, limited to 36 credit hours of coursework and 9 credit hours of M.S. level research. The specific courses and credit hours that can be applied towards the Ph.D. in Color Science are determined by the Color Science Graduate Coordinator.

COLOR SCIENCE GRADUATE FACULTY

The Color Science graduate programs are administered by the Color Science Graduate Faculty from the Center for Imaging Science and other RIT departments. Each of these faculty members, listed below, are eligible to serve as Color Science Ph.D. dissertation advisors.

Roy Berns, CIS/MCSL, berns@cis.rit.edu

Mark Fairchild, COS/MCSL, mdf@mail.rit.edu  (Graduate Program Director)

James Ferwerda,  CIS, jaf@cis.rit.edu

Joe Geigel, Computer Science, jmg@cs.rit.edu

Andrew Herbert, Psychology, amhgss@rit.edu

Jeff Pelz, CIS/MVRL, pelz@cis.rit.edu

MORE INFORMATION

RIT 4+1 B.S./M.S. Option. A 4+1 option is available where the final degree granted is a Masters of Science (MS) degree in Color Science.  This option is open to all qualified students in baccalaureate programs at RIT.  Click for more details.

The only graduate program in color science. This program is the only graduate program in the country devoted to color science. The program revolves around the activities of the Munsell Color Science Laboratory at CIS, the preeminent academic laboratory in the country devoted to color science. Download a 2-page PDF brochure on the programs.

Ready to Submit Your Application? Please visit the RIT Admissions page and submit your online application. Applications must be received by January 15 prior to the Fall Quarter in which you'd like to begin studies in order to be considered for financial aid.

Questions? More information can be found in the RIT Graduate Catalog, the RIT Graduate Bulletin, and at the RIT Graduate Studies Office.

For specific questions about course content, research, or the 4+1 option, please contact Prof. Mark D. Fairchild, Graduate Program Director mdf@mail.rit.edu.

You can also view the CIS Graduate Handbook.