Program Overview

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Imaging Science Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree

Overview

The Ph.D. in imaging science signifies high achievement in scholarship and independent investigation in the diverse aspects of imaging science. Students contribute their fundamental body of knowledge in science and engineering that is associated with this field of study. As an imaging Ph.D. candidate, you’ll acquire the capabilities, skills, and experience to continue to expand the limits of the discipline and meet future scholarly, industrial, and government demands on the field.

Plan of Study

All students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of course work and research. The core curriculum spans and integrates a common body of knowledge essential to an understanding of imaging processes and applications. Courses are defined by the student’s study plan and must include core course sequences plus a sequence in a topical area such as remote sensing, digital image processing, color imaging, digital graphics, electro-optical imaging systems, and microlithographic imaging technologies.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy occurs through the following steps:

• Advisor selection
• Submission and approval of a preliminary study plan
• Passing a written qualifying exam
• Study plan revision based on the outcome of qualifying exam and adviser recommendation
• Research committee appointment
• Candidacy exam based on thesis proposal

Research Committee

Prior to the candidacy exam, the student, in consultation with an advisor, must present a request to the graduate program coordinator for the appointment of a research committee. The committee is composed of at least four people: an advisor, at least one faculty member who is tenured (or tenure-track) and whose primary affiliation is the Carlson Center for Imaging Science (excluding research faculty), a person competent in the field of research who is an RIT faculty member or affiliated with industry or another university and has a doctorate degree, and the external chair. The external chair must be a tenured member of the RIT faculty who is not a faculty member of the center and who is appointed by the dean of graduate education. The committee supervises the student’s research, beginning with a review of the research proposal and concluding with the dissertation defense.

Research Proposal

The student and their research advisor select a research topic for the dissertation. Proposed research must be original and publishable. Although the topic may deal with any aspect of imaging, research is usually concentrated in an area of current interest within the center. The research proposal is presented to the student's research committee during the candidacy exam at least six months prior to the dissertation defense.

Final Examination of the Dissertation

The research advisor, on behalf of the student and the student's research committee, must notify the graduate program coordinator of the scheduling of the final examination of the dissertation by forwarding to the graduate program coordinator the title and abstract of the dissertation and the scheduled date, time, and location of the examination. The final examination of the dissertation may not be scheduled within six months of the date on which the student passed the candidacy exam (at which the thesis proposal was presented and approved).

Residency

All students in the program must spend at least two consecutive semesters (summer excluded) as resident full-time students to be eligible to receive the doctoral degree. If circumstances warrant, the residency requirement may be waived via petition to the graduate program coordinator, who will decide on the student’s petition in consultation with the advisor and graduate faculty. The request must be submitted at least nine months prior to the thesis defense.

Maximum Time Limit

University policy requires that doctoral programs be completed within seven years of the date of the student passing the qualifying exam. Bridge courses are excluded.

Curriculum

Imaging Science, Ph.D. degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • IMGS-606 | Graduate Seminar I | 1
  • IMGS-607 | Graduate Seminar II | 1
  • IMGS-609 | Graduate Laboratory I | 2
  • IMGS-613 | Noise and Systems Modeling | 2
  • IMGS-617 | Image Processing and Discrete Fourier Methods | 2
  • IMGS-619 | Radiometry | 2
  • IMGS-620 | The Human Visual System | 2
  • IMGS-621 | Computer Vision | 2
  • IMGS-633 | Optics for Imaging | 2
  • IMGS-890 | Research & Thesis* | 4
• Second Year
  • IMGS-890 | Research & Thesis | 6
  • IMGS Electives* | 12
• Third Year
  • IMGS-890 | Research & Thesis | 6
  • IMGS Electives* | 6
• Fourth Year
  • IMGS-890 | Research & Thesis | 6
• Fifth Year
  • IMGS-890 | Research & Thesis | 4

Electives

• ASTP-613 | Astronomical Observational Techniques and Instrumentation | 3
• CLRS-601 | Principles of Color Science | 3
• CLRS-602 | Color Physics and Applications | 3
• CLRS-720 | Computational Vision Science | 3
• CLRS-820 | Modeling Visual Perception | 3
• CSCI-603 | Computational Problem Solving | 3
• CSCI-630 | Foundations of Artificial Intelligence | 3
• CSCI-631 | Foundations of Computer Vision | 3
• EEEE-780 | Digital Video Processing | 3
• ENVS-650 | Hydrologic Applications of Geographic Information Systems | 4
• IMGS-622 | Vision Sciences Seminar | 1
• IMGS-624 | Interactive Virtual Env | 3
• IMGS-628 | Design and Fabrication of Solid State Cameras | 3
• IMGS-632 | Advanced Environmental Applications of Remote Sensing | 3
• IMGS-635 | Optical System Design and Analysis | 3
• IMGS-639 | Principles of Solid State Imaging Arrays | 3
• IMGS-640 | Remote Sensing Systems and Image Analysis | 3
• IMGS-642 | Testing of Focal Plane Arrays | 3
• IMGS-643 | Mathematical Methods of Imaging Science 1 | 1
• IMGS-644 | Mathematical Methods of Imaging Science 2 | 1
• IMGS-684 | Deep Learning for Vision | 3
• IMGS-689 | Graduate Special Topics | 1-3
• IMGS-699 | Imaging Science Graduate Co-op | 0
• IMGS-712 | Multi-view Imaging | 3
• IMGS-719 | Radiative Transfer I | 3
• IMGS-720 | Radiative Transfer II | 3
• IMGS-723 | Remote Sensing: Spectral Image Analysis | 3
• IMGS-724 | Introduction to Electron Microscopy | 3
• IMGS-730 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | 3
• IMGS-732 | Synthetic Aperture Radar Image Formation Processing | 3
• IMGS-740 | Imaging Science MS Systems Project Paper | 3
• IMGS-765 | Performance Modeling and Characterization of Remote Sensing System | 3
• IMGS-766 | Geometric Optics and Lens Design | 3
• IMGS-789 | Graduate Special Topics: Robot Vision | 1-3
• IMGS-789 | Graduate Special Topics: Machine Learning for Difficult Data | 3
• IMGS-790 | Research & Thesis | 1-6
• IMGS-799 | Imaging Science Independent Study | 1-4
• IMGS-830 | Advanced Topics in Remote Sensing | 3
• IMGS-890 | Research & Thesis | 1-6
• MATH-605 | Stochastic Processes | 3
• MATH-645 | Graph Theory | 3
• MCSE-712 | Nonlinear Optics | 3
• MCSE-713 | Lasers | 3
• MCSE-731 | Integrated Optical Devices & Systems | 3
• STAT-641 | Applied Linear Models - Regression | 3
• STAT-758 | Multivariate Statistics for Imaging Science | 3

Admissions and Financial Aid

This program is available on-campus only.

• Offered: Full-time
• Admit Term(s): Fall
• Application Deadline: January 15 priority deadline, rolling thereafter
• STEM Designated: Yes

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Imaging Science Ph.D. program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Learn tips to apply for a doctoral program and then complete a 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 in the physical sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a statement of purpose for research which will allow the Admissions Committee to learn the most about you as a prospective researcher.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.
• Entrance exam requirements: GRE optional but recommended. No minimum score requirement.
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required.

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver.

• TOEFL: 100
• IELTS: 7.0
• PTE Academic: 70

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Ph.D. students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Assistantship that will consist of a research assistantship (stipend) or a teaching assistantship (salary).