Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Master of Science in Imaging Science
Rochester, USA
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 41,424 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* $41,424 - $54,974 | based on credits taken
Key Summary
Choose from virtual and on-campus events where you can interact with other prospective students and admissions counselors, meet with our graduate program directors, and gain insight into how applicants are reviewed and evaluated.
The Masters in imaging science prepares you for research positions in the imaging industry or in the application of various imaging modalities to problems in engineering and science. This emerging field integrates engineering, math, physics, computer science, and psychology to understand and develop imaging systems and technology. You’ll explore the creation and interpretation of image forming systems that are used in a broad range of applications from environmental forecasting and remote sensing to the analysis of the physical properties of radiation-sensitive materials. The Masters in imaging science is geared towards advancing and broadening the skills of professionals working in the imaging industry.
Program Overview
Faculty within the Center for Imaging Science supervise thesis research in areas of the physical properties of radiation-sensitive materials and processes, digital image processing, remote sensing, nanoimaging, electro-optical instrumentation, vision, computer vision, color imaging systems, and astronomical imaging. Interdisciplinary efforts are possible with other colleges across the university.
Formal course work includes consideration of the physical properties of radiation-sensitive materials and processes, the applications of physical and geometrical optics to electro-optical systems, the mathematical evaluation of image forming systems, digital image processing, and the statistical characterization of noise and system performance. Technical electives may be selected from courses offered in imaging science, color science, engineering, computer science, science, and mathematics. Both thesis and project options are available. In general, full-time students are required to pursue the thesis option, with the project option targeted at part-time and online students who can demonstrate that they have sufficient practical experience through their professional activities.
RIT awards more than $37 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 5% of tuition all the way up to full tuition. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
RIT awards more than $30 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 10% - 40% of tuition. Our median scholarship amount is around 30% of tuition or $13,000. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
Optional Co-Op
Cooperative education is paid work assignments with corporations and organizations around the U.S. and abroad. Co-op allows students to spend one or more semesters employed in a full-time, paid position related to their academic program before they graduate. Many students use co-op earnings to help finance their education.
Work-Study
Graduate students studying full-time may apply to work part-time on campus. RIT has more than 9,000 jobs available yearly, and students typically work 10 – 20 hours per week. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours during break periods.
All students must earn 30 credit hours as graduate students. The curriculum is a combination of required core courses in imaging science, elective courses appropriate for the candidate’s background and interests, and either a research thesis or graduate paper/project. Students must enroll in either the research thesis or graduate paper/project option at the beginning of their studies. The program can be completed on a full- or a part-time basis. Some courses are available online, specifically in the areas of color science, remote sensing, computer vision, and digital image processing.
Core courses
Students are required to complete the following core courses: Fourier Methods for Imaging (IMGS-616), Image Processing and Computer Vision (IMGS-682), Optics for Imaging (IMGS-633), and either Radiometry (IMGS-619) or The Human Visual System (IMGS-620).
Specialty track courses
Students choose two courses from a variety of tracks such as digital image processing, computer vision, electro-optical imaging systems, remote sensing, color imaging, optics, hard copy materials and processes, and nanoimaging. Tracks may be created for students interested in pursuing additional fields of study.
Research thesis option
The research thesis is based on experimental evidence obtained by the student in an appropriate field, as arranged between the student and their adviser. The minimum number of thesis credits required is four and may be fulfilled by experiments in the university’s laboratories. In some cases, the requirement may be fulfilled by work done in other laboratories or the student's place of employment, under the following conditions:
- The results must be fully publishable.
- The student’s adviser must be approved by the graduate program coordinator.
- The thesis must be based on independent, original work, as it would be if the work were done in the university’s 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 a master's degree in a field relevant to the student’s research. Two committee members must be graduate faculty of the center.
Graduate paper/project option
Students with demonstrated practical or research experience, approved by the graduate program coordinator, may choose the graduate project option (3 credit hours). This option takes the form of a systems project course. The graduate paper is normally performed during the final semester of study. Both part- and full-time students may choose this option, with the approval of the graduate program coordinator.
Nature of Work
Faculty within the Center for Imaging Science supervise thesis research in areas of the physical properties of radiation-sensitive materials and processes, digital image processing, remote sensing, nanoimaging, electro-optical instrumentation, vision, computer vision, color imaging systems, and astronomical imaging. Interdisciplinary efforts are possible with the Kate Gleason College of Engineering and the College of Science.
The program can be completed on a full- or a part-time basis. Some courses are available online, specifically in the areas of color science, remote sensing, medical imaging, and digital image processing.
Graduation Requirements
All students must earn 30 credit hours as graduate student. The curriculum is a combination of required core courses in imaging science, elective courses appropriate for the candidate’s background and interests, and either a research thesis or graduate paper/project. Students must enroll in either the research thesis or graduate paper/project option at the beginning of their studies.
Curriculum
Imaging science (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- IMGS-616 Fourier Methods for Imaging
- Choose one of the following:
- IMGS-619 Radiometry
- IMGS-620 The Human Visual System
- IMGS-606 Imaging Science Seminar I
- IMGS-607 Imaging Science Seminar II
- IMGS-682 Image Processing and Computer Vision
- IMGS-633 Optics for Imaging
- Specialty Track Course
- Elective
Second Year
- IMGS-790 Research and Thesis
- Specialty Track Course
Choose one of the following:
- IMGS-790 Research and Thesis
- Elective
Imaging Science (project option), MS degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- IMGS-616 Fourier Methods for Imaging
- IMGS-682 Image Processing and Computer Vision
- IMGS-633 Optics for Imaging
- Choose one of the following:
- IMGS-619 Radiometry
- IMGS-620 The Human Visual System
- Elective
- Specialty Track Course
Second Year
- IMGS-740 MS Systems Project Paper
- Specialty Track Course
- Electives
Selected Employers
Adobe, Amazon, Apple, Aptiva Imaging, Boeing, CACI, General Electric, Google, Harris Corp., Heidelberg, Hewlett-Packard, Hover Inc., Integrity Applications Inc., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lexmark, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, MITRE, Motorola Mobility LLC, NASA, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, NVIDIA, EagleView, LLC, Ricoh Print Production, Sandia National Labs, Science Applications International Corp., Sherwin Williams, Technicolor, The Aerospace Corporation, Valspar, Xerox.
Industries
- Research
- Medical Devices
- Environmental Services
- Scientific and Technical Consulting
- Other Industries