MS Imaging Science: Curriculum & Requirements

The M.S. in Imaging Science curriculum is a combination of five of the seven graduate core courses in imaging science (see below) and elective courses appropriate for the candidate's background and interests. The M.S. in Imaging Science requires 45 total credits, 37 of which must be taken at RIT.

Several tracks (concentrations) have been established for the M.S. in Imaging Science (consult the Graduate Coordinator and/or faculty involved in research in these areas, for further information): Digital Image Processing, Biomedical Imaging, Detectors, Remote Sensing, Color Imaging, and Nanoimaging. Additional tracks may be created for interested students. Students must enroll in either the research-thesis or graduate paper/project option at the beginning of their studies. Candidates who wish to enter the program but lack adequate preparation may have to take bridge courses in mathematics, chemistry, or physics before matriculating with graduate status.

Research Thesis Option - The thesis is to be based on experimental evidence obtained by the candidate in an appropriate field as arranged between the candidate and his or her advisor. Nine credit hours of thesis research is required. Research may be conducted by experiments in Institute laboratories or by work done in other laboratories (such as the candidate's place of employment). In the latter case, the results must be fully publishable, the candidate's adviser must be approved by the graduate coordinator, and the thesis must be based on the candidate's dependent, original work, as it would be if the work were done in Institute laboratories.

A student's thesis committee is composed of a minimum of three people: the student's adviser and two additional members who hold at least an MS in a field relevant to the student's research. Two committee members must be from the graduate faculty of the center.

Graduate Paper/Project Option - Students with demonstrated practical or research experience, approved by the graduate coordinator, may choose the graduate project option (5 credit hours) in addition to 40 hours of core and elective courses. This option takes the form of a 4 credit systems course (a different course for each track) and an associated 1 credit project/paper. The graduate paper is normally performed during the final quarter of study. Both part- and full-time students may choose this option, with the approval of the graduate coordinator.

Typically a minimum of two years is required for the M.S. in Imaging Science, if the degree is pursued on a full-time basis. Whether a student pursues the thesis or project/paper option, all degree requirements must be completed within seven years of the first course taken for the degree.

Admission Requirements

Funding is restricted to students who choose the research thesis option and are full-time students, and is usually available only for a subset of entering M.S. students. Qualifying students typically are funded as Graduate Teaching Assistants during their first year. Graduate Research Assistantships may be available during the second year.  Currently, the stipend for a three-quarter academic year is $15,000.

Prorated Summer quarter support is generally available once a student has begun work with a research advisor.    Tuition is also paid for full-time funded students. Funding is guaranteed only for the first year.  A small number of partial scholarships are available. These only cover a portion of the tuition costs. Students accepting these scholarships are required to pay the remaining tuition costs each quarter, as well as all living expenses from their own funds.

*MS students take 5 of 7 of these core courses, where the 5 selected courses must include Fourier Methods for Imaging.

**The Imaging Science Seminar sequence is required for students pursuing the MS thesis, and constitutes 3 of the 9 required thesis research credits.