RIT Color Science Graduate Program - Program Overview

Color has been a topic of intense interest and inquiry for thousands of years. Philosophers (Aristotle), poets (Goethe), physicists (Newton), and mathematicians (Schrödinger) have all contributed to our understanding of color phenomena. Color science can be broadly defined as the quantification of color and its perception. Color science is used in the design and production of most man-made materials including textiles, paints, plastics, and ceramics, and to specify the properties of diverse natural materials such as skin and soil.  It is used extensively in color imaging including digital photography, electronic displays, and printing. The applications of color science are truly ubiquitous. The mastery of color science requires an interdisciplinary educational approach that encompasses physics, chemistry, physiology, statistics, computer science and psychology.

The degree program in Color Science revolves around the activities of the Munsell Color Science Laboratory within the Center for Imaging Science at RIT. The Munsell Laboratory is the pre-eminent academic laboratory in the U.S. devoted to the study of color science, and for more than 25 years its faculty and staff have trained students and conducted cutting-edge research in the field. Current research topics include: color and appearance measurement; spectral and 3D surface capture; color and material appearance models; high dynamic range and spectral imaging; image quality metrics; data-visualization; color management; color and material psychophysics; archiving and reproduction of fine art; multi-ink printing; and advanced display systems.

The Color Science program provides graduate-level study in both the theory and practical applications of color science. The program gives students a strong foundation in the fundamental concepts and practices of the field, and affords them the unique opportunity of specializing in an area appropriate to their background and interest. These objectives are accomplished through the program’s core courses and electives, and a student’s thesis/dissertation project.

Graduates of the program are in high demand and the placement rate has been 100% since the inception of the graduate program more than 25 years ago. Graduates are employed in engineering, management, and research positions in a wide range of fields including color measurement, colorant formulation, testing and quality control, hardware and software development, and electronic and hardcopy imaging. Companies that have hired graduates include Apple, Benjamin Moore, Canon, Disney, Dolby, DuPont, Eastman Kodak, Hallmark, Hewlett Packard, HunterLabs, International Paper, Microsoft, OmniVision, Pantone, Philips, Qualcomm, Ricoh, Samsung, Texas Instruments, Xerox, and X-Rite.

CURRICULUM

The Color Science graduate 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, computer graphics, material science, and polymer science.

Both M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs are offered.

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. Full time students normally complete the M.S. program in approximately two years.

The Ph.D. degree requires 99 credit hours of coursework and research. This includes minimums of 60 credit hours of coursework, and 27 credit hours of research. In addition to coursework, Ph.D. students must pass a qualifying examination during their second year of study, complete a second-year research project, write a dissertation proposal, and pass a candidacy examination at least one year before completing their dissertations. Three years of full-time or equivalent part-time residency are required. Full time students normally complete the Ph.D. program in approximately four years. Ph.Dstudents must spend at least three consecutive quarters (summer quarter may be excluded) as resident full-time students to be eligible to receive the degree. Ph.D. candidates must also maintain continuous enrollment during the research phase of the program. Requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within seven years of passing the qualifying exam.

Core courses

Both M.S. and Ph.D students take the same core courses during their first year of study. These include:

Elective courses

Elective courses are selected depending on the student’s interests and background. All electives must be approved by the Graduate Program Director and the student’s 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:

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for admission to the graduate program in color science, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

·      Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university

·      Complete a graduate application

·      Submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

·      Submit official transcripts (in English) for all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work

·      Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (including a minimum GPA of 3.0 in foundation course work (see below))

·      Submit two professional recommendations

·      Participate in an on-campus or online interview

·      For international applicants, whose native language is not English, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language must also be submitted. Minimum scores of 240 (computer-based), 587 (paper-based), or 94 (Internet-based) are required. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores will be accepted in place of the TOEFL exam. Minimum scores will vary, however the absolute minimum score required for acceptance without conditions is 6.5.

In addition applicants must have completed the following undergraduate-level foundation courses (or approved equivalents):

·      One year of calculus

·      One year of physics

·      One year of 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)

Students without adequate undergraduate preparation must complete the foundation coursework prior to matriculation into the graduate program. Such students may be required to take as many as 36 credit hours in these subjects. A written agreement between the student and the Graduate Program Director 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.

FINANCIAL AID

Teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified students to cover tuition and living expenses. Students receiving fully funded assistantships tend to have exceptional GRE scores and undergraduate cumulative grade point averages of 3.5 or higher. Partial assistantships are also awarded based on merit and/or need. Scholarship opportunities for continuing students include the Macbeth-Engel Fellowship, Grum Memorial Scholarship, and Saltzman Memorial Scholarship.

MORE INFORMATION

Graduate Study at RIT

The Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science

The Munsell Color Science Laboratory

HOW TO APPLY

Ready to Submit Your Application? Please visit the Graduate Study at RIT page and submit your application online. 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?

Contact: Prof. Mark Fairchild, Graduate Program Director (mdf at mail dot rit dot edu)