Program Overview

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Color Science Master of Science Degree

Overview

The Color Science Master of Science Degree is a unique program that decodes how humans perceive and interact with color, providing limitless real-world applications.

Why Study Color Science at RIT?

• STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
• Unique Program: Explore the rich and dynamic field of color science at the only university in the nation offering this specialized program, encompassing both theoretical foundations and hands-on applications.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: Tailored for students from diverse backgrounds including physics, biology, engineering, and more, the program offers a comprehensive understanding of color science, allowing for specialization aligned with individual interests and expertise.
• Cutting-Edge Research Opportunities: Engage in innovative projects such as exploring color perception in augmented reality, applications of color in agriculture, and advancements in color imaging technologies, conducted within the world-renowned Munsell Color Science Laboratory.
• In-Demand Career Pathways: Graduates of the program are in high demand across various industries including electronic imaging, color instrumentation, research, and development.

RIT’s Color Science Degree

The color science degree is designed for students from a wide range of undergraduate degrees. If you completed a program in physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, engineering, neuroscience, experimental psychology, imaging, or any applied discipline pertaining to the quantitative description of color, this program could be a good fit for you.

Color science is used everyday: In the design and control of most man-made colored materials including textiles, coatings, and polymers; to specify such diverse materials as soil and wine; and, in digital photography, desktop and projection display, and printing.

The Study of Color

The color science degree is a combination of required courses in color science, elective courses appropriate for the student's background, and either a research thesis or graduate project.

For full-time students, the program requires three to four semesters of study. Part-time students generally require two to four years of study.

Color Science Careers

Alumni of our programs are in high demand and uniquely qualified to address the full breadth of color science in multidisciplinary teams. Color science degree graduates have accepted positions in electronic imaging, color instrumentation, colorant formulation, and basic and applied research. A sample of companies that have hired our graduates include Apple, Dolby Laboratories, Google, Benjamin Moore, Canon Corp., Hallmark, Hewlett Packard Corp., Microsoft Corp., Pantone, Qualcomm Inc., Ricoh Innovations Inc., LG Electronics, and Samsung.

Careers and Experiential Learning

Typical Job Titles

• Imaging Engineer
• Color/Imaging Scientist

Cooperative Education

What makes an RIT science and math education exceptional? It’s the ability to complete science and math co-ops and gain real-world experience that sets you apart. Co-ops in the College of Science include cooperative education and internship experiences in industry and health care settings, as well as research in an academic, industry, or national lab.

National Labs Career Events and Recruiting

The Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education works with national labs, federally-funded research centers, and sponsoring agencies to offer a variety of options to connect with and recruit students in the color science MS degree.

Curriculum

Color Science, MS degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • CLRS-601: Principles of Color Science
  • CLRS-602: Color Physics and Applications
  • CLRS-720: Computational Vision Science
  • CLRS-750: Historical Research Perspectives
  • CLRS-751: Research and Publication Methods
  • Graduate Electives
• Second Year
  • CLRS-820: Modeling Visual Perception
  • CLRS-890: Research & Thesis
  • Elective

Total Semester Credit Hours

30

Admissions and Financial Aid

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Color Science MS program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application.
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.
• Entrance exam requirements: None
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required.

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method.

Faculty

• Mark Fairchild
• Susan Farnand
• Michael Murdoch
• Elena Fedorovskaya

Research

Research conducted in the color science master's degree program revolves around the activities of the Munsell Color Science Laboratory, which is the pre-eminent academic laboratory in the country devoted to color science.

Facilities

• Munsell Color Science Laboratory

Events

• Color Science PH.D. Defense: Ambient Environment Effect on Color Perception

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