Semester Requirements
Douglas Manchee, Program Chair
(585) 475-7401, djmpph@rit.edu
http://cias.rit.edu/photography
Program overview
The majors in the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences are designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in photographic and related imaging fields. Studies in photographic practices provide both technical and creative experiences for visual problem solving. The principles of imaging are taught through courses investigating the tools and processes used to make pictorial-, data-, and information-based images. All first year students are required to have their own hand held small- or medium-format digital SLR camera and a professional light meter.
Students have the opportunity to supplement their course work with participation in cooperative education, internships, study abroad, field trips, presentations by invited guests/guest lecturers, departmental student organizations, and related activities.
Students are urged to take advantage of Rochester’s historic connection with photography. A comprehensive schedule of programs, including exhibitions, lectures, and seminars, is offered by the city’s array of cultural institutions.
Advertising photography option
The advertising photography option prepares students to utilize their skill and creativity in the challenging world of commercial photography. Whether creating images for advertising agencies, magazines, or designer projects, students learn the technical and artistic skills necessary to create successful photographs. Graduates receive a bachelor of fine arts degree in professional photographic illustration.
The option is flexible enough to develop each student’s particular talents, with the ultimate goal of providing art for commerce. During their junior and senior years, students can choose from courses that include editorial, food, portraiture, architectural, and still-life photography. Additional courses include advanced studio and location photography, publication design and production, and collaborative courses with graphic design students. All advertising photography courses emphasize visual communications and professional business practices.
Curriculum
Photographic and imaging arts (advertising photography option), BFA degree, typical course sequence, (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| PHAR-101 | Photo Arts I | 4 |
| PHPS-106 | Photo Technology I (SMTL) | 3 |
| ARTH-135 | LAS Perspective 2: Survey Western Art and Architecture I | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 1 | 3 | |
| LAS Foundation 1: First-Year Seminar | 3 | |
| PHAR-102 | Photo Arts II | 4 |
| PHPS-107 | Photo Technology II (SMTL) | 3 |
| ARTH-136 | LAS Perspective 3: Survey Western Art and Architecture II | 3 |
| FDTN-111 | Drawing | 3 |
| ENGL-150 | LAS Foundation 2: Writing Seminar | 3 |
| Wellness Education* | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| PHAR-201 | Elements: Fine Art | 3 |
| PHAR-202 | Elements: Advertising | 3 |
| FDTN-121 | 2D Design | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 4 | 3 | |
| PHAR-211 | History and Aesthetics I | 3 |
| PHAR-203 | Elements: Photojournalism | 3 |
| PHAR-204 | Elements: Visual Media | 3 |
| FDTN-141 | 4D Design | 3 |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| PHAR-212 | History and Aesthetics II | 3 |
| Third Year | ||
| PHAP-301 | Advertising Photography I | 3 |
| Advertising Photography Sequence Courses† | 6 | |
| Advertising Photography Professional Electives | 6 | |
| CIAS Elective‡ | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1, 2 | 3 | |
| PHAP-302 | Advertising Photography II | 3 |
| Advertising Photography Capstone I (WI) | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 2 | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| PHAP-311 | Photographing People | |
| PHAP-312 | Projects in Still Life Photography | |
| PHAP-313 | Light Control Manipulation | |
| Advertising Photography Sequence Course† | 3 | |
| CIAS Electives‡ | 9 | |
| Free Electives | 6 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| Advertising Photography Capstone II | 3 | |
| Advertising Photography Professional Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 122 | |
Please see New General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) for more information.
(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.
(SMTL) Refers to science, math, technical literacy requirement.
* Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
† Students choose three of the following advertising photography sequence courses: The Collaborative Composite Image (PHAP-306), Technology and Image Making (PHAP-307), On Location Lighting Photography (PHAP-308), Photographing People (PHAP-311), Projects in Still Life Photography (PHAP-312), Lighting Control and Manipulation (PHAP-314), Editorial Photography (PHAP-313), XL: Summer AD Core (PHAP-320), Architectural Photography (PHAP-326), Fashion Photography (PHAP-327), Food Photography (PHAP-328), People Illustration Photography (PHAP-336), Production Photography (PHAP-337), Advertising and Design Photography (PHAP-401).
‡ CIAS elective refers to any course in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.
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Click to view program requirements in the Quarter Calendar
Quarter Curriculum - For Reference Only
Effective fall 2013, RIT will convert its academic calendar from quarters to semesters. The following content has been made available as reference only. Currently matriculated students who began their academic programs in quarters should consult their academic adviser for guidance and course selection.
Program overview
The programs of the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences are designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in photographic and related imaging fields. Studies in photographic practices provide both technical and creative experiences for visual problem solving. The principles of imaging are taught through courses investigating the tools and processes used to make pictorial-, data-, and information-based images. All first year students are required to have their own hand held small- or medium-format digital SLR camera and a professional light meter.
Students have the opportunity to supplement their course work with participation in cooperative education, internships, study abroad programs, field trips, presentations by invited guests/guest lecturers, departmental student organizations, and related activities.
Students are urged to take advantage of Rochester’s historic connection with photography. A comprehensive schedule of programs, including exhibitions, lectures, and seminars, is offered by the city’s array of cultural institutions.
Advertising photography option
The advertising photography option prepares students to utilize their skill and creativity in the challenging world of commercial photography. Whether creating images for advertising agencies, magazines, or designer projects, students learn the technical and artistic skills necessary to create successful photographs. Graduates receive a bachelor of fine arts degree in professional photographic illustration.
The program is flexible enough to develop each student’s particular talents, with the ultimate goal of providing art for commerce. During their junior and senior years, students can choose from courses that include editorial, food, portraiture, architectural, and still-life photography. Additional courses include advanced studio and location photography, publication design and production, and collaborative courses with graphic design students. All advertising photography courses emphasize visual communications and professional business practices.
Curriculum
Professional photographic illustration (advertising photography option), BFA degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 2067-201, 202, 203 | Photo Arts I, II, III | 15 |
| 2039-225, 226, 227 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture I, II, III | 9 |
| 2076-211, 212, 213 | Materials and Processes of Photography | 9 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| 1720-050, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| 2067-xxx | Photo Arts Elements | 15 |
| 2067-306, 307, 308 | History and Aesthetics of Photography | 9 |
| 2013-211 | Drawing I | 3 |
| 2013-231 | 2D Design I | 3 |
| 2013-xxx | 4D Design | 3 |
| 2067-xxx | Career Seminar | 1 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Third Year | ||
| 2067-411, 412 | Advertising Photography | 10 |
| Advertising Core‡ | 5 | |
| Minor or CIAS Electives§ | 18-20 | |
| Business Elective | 4 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Advertising Core‡ | 10 | |
| 2067-473 | Portfolio Development | 5 |
| Minor or CIAS Electives**§ | 12-20 | |
| Open Electives# | 12-15 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 184 | |
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ Advertising core, minimum of 15 credits required.
§ RIT-approved minor and/or CIAS elective, minimum 20 credits required.
** Open electives, minimum of 12 credits required