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.

Where other programs may address just optics or just materials, just lighting or just perception; here you’ll learn the full range of color science. This includes the fundamental concepts of color science and its applications, as well as how to do research in the field and present it successfully.

At the only university in the nation offering this program of study, you will be exposed to the rich, dynamic field of color science through theory and practical application.

The study of color is a fundamental field of science that is dedicated to understanding the creation of colored stimuli, sources of illumination, and ultimately the human perception of color.

RIT’s color science degree provides a graduate-level study in both scientific theory and practical application. The program provides you with a broad exposure to the field of color science and affords them the unique opportunity of specializing in an area appropriate for their background and interest. This objective is accomplished through the program’s core courses, selection of electives, and completion of a thesis or graduate project.

The Study of Color

The color science degree is a combination of required courses in color science, elective courses appropriate for the candidate’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.

The color science program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in a scientific or another technical discipline. Those with adequate undergraduate work in related sciences start the program as matriculated graduate students.

Students without adequate undergraduate work in related sciences must take foundation courses prior to matriculation into the graduate program. A written agreement between the candidate and the program coordinator will identify the required foundation courses.

RIT Color Science students work on projects including:

• Color Perception in Assisted Reality/Virtual Reality
• Color in Agriculture
• Color Imaging (Cameras and Displays, e.g. smartphones)
• Individual Differences in Human Color Perception
• Limits of Human Color Vision

Color Science, MS degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
CLRS-601    
Principles of Color Science
3
CLRS-602    Color Physics and Applications    3
CLRS-720    Computational Vision Science    3
CLRS-750    Historical Research Perspectives    1
CLRS-751    Research and Publication Methods    2
CLRS-820    Modeling Visual Perception    3
     
Graduate Electives
6
Second Year
CLRS-890    Research & Thesis    6
     
Elective 3
Total Semester Credit Hours    30

Admission Requirements

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

• Complete an online graduate application. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for information on application deadlines, entry terms, and more.
• 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.
• Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Two letters of recommendation are required. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• Not all programs require the submission of scores from entrance exams (GMAT or GRE). Please refer to the Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements page for more information.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for additional information on English requirements. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to Additional Requirements for International Applicants to review waiver eligibility.

Scholarships and Assistantships

Currently, assistantships are only available for qualified color science applicants to the doctoral program. Students seeking RIT-funded scholarships and assistantships should consider apply to the doctoral program, which is identical to the MS program in the first two years. Partial tuition scholarships are available for the MS program. Applicants seeking financial assistance from RIT should contact the Office of Graduate and Part-time Enrollment for current application materials and deadlines.

Tuition fee-2 years1,06,000

Total fee-2 years1,44,000