Tina Olsin Lent, Department Chairperson
(585) 475-2460, tnlgsh@rit.edu
Program overview
The bachelor of science degree in museum studies is an innovative, interdisciplinary, technically-based program that prepares students for careers in museums, archives, photo collections, and libraries.
Curriculum
The program includes a set of introductory and advanced core courses to familiarize students with the fundamentals of museum studies, including the history, theory, and practice of institutional collecting, conservation, and the technical investigation of art. To broaden and deepen their knowledge, students will also choose to pursue one of two specialized professional tracks: museum and information studies or art conservation.
Internship
The program requires students to complete a 200-hour internship in a cultural institution. This experience gives students the opportunity to apply what they've learned in the classroom to a professional setting and gain valuable work experience before they graduate.
Professional tracks
Both professional tracks (museum and information studies or art conservation) include course work that meets the criteria established by professionals in the field and reflects current opinion about necessary skill sets. Since 2000, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the Committee on Museum Professional Training (COMPT) have called for revisions in the training of museum professionals that reflect evolving needs for management, leadership, information technology, fundraising, and grant writing skills—all of which the cultural resource and information studies track includes. The art conservation track features the traditional criteria for entry into the field as well as course work in chemistry and studio arts, two areas that have been identified as deficient in other undergraduate programs.
Museum and Information Studies Track
Program core
0533-370 Introduction to Museums and Collecting
0533-423 Art Materials: Photography
0533-422 Art Materials: Panel Painting
0533-438 Conservation of Cultural Materials
0533-424 Legal and Ethical Issues for Collecting Institutions
0533-425 Display and Exhibition Design
0533-426 Collections Management and Museum Administration
0533-427 Fundraising, Grant Writing, and Marketing for Nonprofit Institutions
0533-437 Forensic Investigation of Art and Research Methods
0533-510 Senior Thesis in Cultural Resource Studies
Art history and studio arts
2039-225, 226, 227 Survey of Western Art and Architecture I, II, III
Freshman-level studio (select two courses):
2042-215 Freshman Metals and Jewelry
2044-215 Freshman Wood and Woodworking
2040-215 Freshman Ceramics
2041-215 Freshman Glass and Glass Sculpture
2021-251 FTDN: Fine Arts Studio
2067-264 Introduction to Photography for Non-majors
Business core
0101-301 Financial Accounting
0102-430 Organizational Behavior
0105-363 Principles of Marketing
Management information systems
0112-325 Applying Business Technology
0112-331 Business Application Development
0112-340 Database Management Systems
0112-370 Systems Analysis and Design
0112-390 Emerging Business Technologies
General education electives
Institute free electives
Museum studies (museum and information studies track), BS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 0533-370 | Introduction to Museums and Collection | 4 |
| 2039-225, 226, 227 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture I, II, III | 9 |
| Freshman Studio | 2 | |
| 2067-264 | Introduction to Photography | 4 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Mathematics and Science Requirements‡ | 13 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Second Year | ||
| 0533-423 | Art Materials: Photography | 4 |
| 0533-422 | Art Materials: Panel Painting | 4 |
| Freshman Studio | 2 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 24 | |
| Mathematics and Science Requirements‡ | 8 | |
| General Education Electives | 8 | |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| 0533-425 | Display and Exhibition Design | 4 |
| 0533-426 | Collections Management and Museum Administration | 4 |
| 0533-427 | Fundraising, Grant Writing, and Marketing for Nonprofit Institutions | 4 |
| Business Core | 12 | |
| Management Information Systems | 12 | |
| Institute Free Elective | 12 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 0533-438 | Conservation of Cultural Materials | 4 |
| 0533-424 | Legal and Ethical Issues for Collecting Institutions | 4 |
| 0533-437 | Forensic Investigation of Art and Research Methods | 4 |
| 0533-510 | Senior Thesis | 4 |
| Management Information Systems | 8 | |
| General Education Electives | 12 | |
| Institute Free Elective | 4 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 184 | |
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ Please see Mathematics and Science Requirements for more information.
Museum studies (management track), BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| MUSE-220 | Introduction to Museums and Collecting | 3 |
| ARTH-135 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture 1 | 3 |
| First-year Seminar | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 1 | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 2 | 3 | |
| MUSE-221 | Introduction to Public History | 3 |
| ARTH-136 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture 2 | 3 |
| First-year Writing | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 3 | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 4 | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| MUSE-222 | Panel Painting | 3 |
| Choose one of the following courses: CCER or CGLS or CMTJ or CWFD 2xx | 3 | |
| ARTH Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 5* | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 7A: Math | 3 | |
| MUSE-224 | History and Theory of Exhibitions | 3 |
| MUSE-223 | Historic Photographic Processes | 3 |
| IGME-110 | Introduction to Interactive Media | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 6 | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 7B: Math | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| MUSE 354 | Exhibition Design | 3 |
| MUSE 355 | Fundraising, Grant Writing and Marketing | 3 |
| IGME 101 | Interactive Media Development 1 | 3 |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 2 | 3 | |
| MUSE-357 | Collections Management and Museum Administration | 3 |
| IGME-102 | Interactive Media Development 2 | 3 |
| MGMT-320 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| MUSE-438 | Conservation and Analysis | 3 |
| MUSE-490 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| MGMT-415 | Digital Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Free Elective 1 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective 2 | 3 | |
| MUSE-356 | Interactive Design for Museums | 3 |
| MGMT-460 | Leadership in Organizations | 3 |
| Free Elective 2 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
*Students will satisfy this requirement by taking either a 3- or 4-credit hour lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, the student must take both the lecture and lab portions to satisfy the requirement.
Art Conservation Track
Program Core
0533-370 Introduction to Museums and Collecting
0533-423 Art Materials: Photography
0533-422 Art Materials: Panel Painting
0533-438 Conservation of Cultural Materials
0533-424 Legal and Ethical Issues for Collecting Institutions
0533-437 Forensic Investigation of Art and Research Methods
0533-510 Senior Thesis in Cultural Resource Studies
Art history and studio arts
2039-225, 226, 227 Survey of Western Art and Architecture I, II, III
Freshman-level studio (select two courses):
2042-215 Freshman Metals and Jewelry
2044-215 Freshman Wood and Woodworking
2040-215 Freshman Ceramics
2041-215 Freshman Glass and Glass Sculpture
2021-251 FTDN: Fine Arts Studio
2067-264 Introduction to Photography for Non-majors
2012-211, 212, 213 Drawing I, II, III
Sophomore-level studio (select one sequence):
2042-301, 302, 303 Sophomore Metals Studio I, II, III
2044-301, 302, 303 Sophomore Wood and Woodworking I, II, III
2040-301, 302, 303 Sophomore Ceramics Studio I, II, III
2041-301, 302, 303 Sophomore Glass Studio I, II, III
2021-305, 315, 361 Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture
Mathematics and science
1013-231, 232, 233 Organic Chemistry I, II, III and Labs
General education electives
Institute free electives
Museum studies (art conservation track), BS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 0533-370 | Introduction to Museums and Collection | 4 |
| 2039-225, 226, 227 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture I, II, III | 9 |
| Freshman Studio | 2 | |
| 2067-264 | Introduction to Photography | 4 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Mathematics and Science Requirements‡ | 13 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Second Year | ||
| 0533-423 | Art Materials: Photography | 4 |
| 0533-422 | Art Materials: Panel Painting | 4 |
| Freshman Studio | 2 | |
| 1013-231, 232, 233 | Organic Chemistry I, II, III | 12 |
| Liberal Arts* | 16 | |
| Mathematics and Science Requirements‡ | 4 | |
| General Education Electives | 8 | |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| 2013-211, 212, 213 | Drawing I, II, III | 9 |
| Liberal Arts | 8 | |
| General Education Electives | 8 | |
| Institute Free Elective | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 0533-438 | Conservation of Cultural Materials | 4 |
| 0533-424 | Legal and Ethical Issues for Collecting Institutions | 4 |
| 0533-437 | Forensic Investigation of Art and Research Methods | 4 |
| 0533-510 | Senior Thesis | 4 |
| Sophomore-Level Studio | 18 | |
| General Education Electives | 8 | |
| Institute Free Elective | 5 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 185 | |
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ Please see Mathematics and Science Requirements for more information.
Museum studies (art conservation track), BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| MUSE-220 | Introduction to Museums and Collecting | 3 |
| ARTH-135 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture 1 | 3 |
| First-year Seminar | 3 | |
| CHMG-141, 145 | LAS Perspective 5: General and Analytical Chemistry 1 and Lab | 4 |
| LAS Perspective 1 | 3 | |
| CCER-201 or CGLS 201 or CMTJ-201 or CWFD 201 Sophomore Studio 1 | 3 | |
| ARTH-136 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture 2 | 3 |
| First-year Writing | 3 | |
| CHMG-142, 146 | LAS Perspective 6: General and Analytical Chemistry 2 and Lab | 4 |
| LAS Perspective 2 | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| MUSE-222 | Panel Painting | 3 |
| CCER 2xx or CGLS 2xx or CMTJ-2xx or CWFD 2xx Sophomore Studio 2 | 3 | |
| CHMO-231, 235 | Organic Chemistry 1 and Lab | 4 |
| LAS Perspective 7A: Math | 3 | |
| LAS Perspective 3 | 3 | |
| MUSE-223 | Historic Photographic Processes | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 7B | 3 | |
| CHMO-232, 236 | Organic Chemistry 2 and Lab | 4 |
| LAS Perspective 4 | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| LAS Immersion 2 | 3 | |
| FDTN-111 Drawing 1 | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| FDTN-121 | 2D 1 | |
| FDTN-131 3D | Design 1 | |
| LAS Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 1 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective 2 | 3 | |
| FDTN-112 | Drawing 2 | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| FDTN-122 | 2D Design 2 | |
| FDTN-132 | 3D Design 2 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| MUSE-438 | Conservation and Analysis | 3 |
| MUSE-490 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| CCER 2xx or CGLS 2xx or CMTJ-2xx or CWFD 2xx Sophomore M&P Studio 1 | 4 | |
| LAS Elective 3 | 3 | |
| MUSE-356 | Interactive Design for Museums | 3 |
| LAS Elective 4 | 3 | |
| CCER 2xx or CGLS 2xx or CMTJ-2xx or CWFD 2xx Sophomore M&P Studio 2 | 4 | |
| Free Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
*Students will satisfy this requirement by taking either a 3- or 4-credit hour lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, the student must take both the lecture and lab portions to satisfy the requirement.
Additional information
Career opportunities
Upon graduation students will be prepared to work in public and private institutions that collect cultural objects, such as museums of various types, historical sites, historical societies, libraries, archives, and corporations. Students are also prepared to further their education in graduate programs, such as an MA in museum studies, art history, informatics, or arts management; an MLS in library and information studies; or an MBA. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were approximately 27,000 archivists, curators, and museum technicians in the U.S. in 2004 and about 159,000 librarians. Both areas are expected to grow as current professionals reach retirement age and will have to be replaced with those whose education has prepared them for the new responsibilities of the field.
Advisers
Every student is assigned a faculty adviser who provides academic advising and career counseling. All of the fine arts department faculty members in cultural resource studies hold the highest degrees in their field and all have been published within their areas of expertise.