General information
The pre-baccalaureate studies program is available to students who are accepted by NTID and are close to, but not fully ready for, direct entry into a baccalaureate-level program through one of the other colleges of RIT. It is a bridge program for qualified students, based on academic transcripts, scores on admissions tests, and other evidence that supports a reasonable expectation of success in baccalaureate course work. Qualified students who are undecided as to a program of study may choose the career exploration studies program.
Enrollment in the pre-baccalaureate studies program is appropriate for students who need to further develop mathematics, English, or discipline-related skills. The academic program is flexible and individualized and allows students to focus on needed skills while concurrently progressing toward their chosen field of study. Students may take courses taught by NTID faculty, as well as entry-level courses taught in other RIT colleges. While in the program, students receive academic advising as well as career counseling.
Students cannot receive a degree in pre-baccalaureate studies. Rather, they will apply for admission into a baccalaureate program as soon as they are academically ready and the college offering their chosen baccalaureate program reviews their application for admission. After completing an entire academic year in the program, a student must transfer to a degree-granting program in NTID or one of the other colleges of RIT.
Visual Communications Studies
Kurt Stoskopf, Chairperson
Visual Communications Studies Department
Students entering pre-baccalaureate studies in arts and imaging studies will typically be required to have:
ACT: minimum score of 18
English: Placement into a First Year Writing course, such as FYW: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150)
Mathematics: Placement into mathematics course NMTH-120 or higher for BFA degrees or NMTH-250 or higher for BS degrees
Science: Placement into science NSCI-120 or higher for BFA degrees or NSCI-250 or higher for BS degrees
Pre-baccalaureate studies, visual communications studies (schools of American Crafts, Art, and Design), typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NGRD-115 | Visual Idea Development | 3 |
| NGRD-111, 211 | Drawing I, II | 6 |
| NAIS-120 | Principles of Design and Color | 3 |
| NAIS-130 | Raster and Vector Graphics | 3 |
| NGRD-140 | Graphic Design and Typography I | 3 |
| LAS General Education | 12 | |
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 34 | |
Please see the General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) in the Graduation Requirements section of this bulletin for more information.
Note: Portfolio of original artwork is required to determine admission. See the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences support coordinator for further information.
Pre-baccalaureate studies, visual communications studies (School of Photographic Arts and Sciences), BFA degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NGRP-110, 210 | Digital Photography I, II | 6 |
| NGRD-111 | Drawing I | 3 |
| NAIS-120 | Principles of Design and Color | 3 |
| NAIS-130 | Raster and Vector Graphics | 3 |
| NGRD-115 | Visual Idea Development | 3 |
| NGRD-140 | Graphic Design and Typography I | 3 |
| LAS General Education | 12 | |
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 34 | |
Please see the General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) in the Graduation Requirements section of this bulletin for more information.
Pre-baccalaureate studies, visual communications studies (School of Photographic Arts and Sciences), BS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NGRP-110 | Digital Photography I | 3 |
| NAIS-120 | Principles of Design and Color | 3 |
| NAIS-130 | Raster and Vector Graphics | 3 |
| NGRP-231 | Image Preparation | 3 |
| NGRP-232 | Image Manipulation | 3 |
| Math Course† | 3 | |
| Science Course‡ | 3 | |
| LAS General Education | 12 | |
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 34 | |
Please see the General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) in the Graduation Requirements section of this bulletin for more information.
† Students may choose any mathematics course numbered NMTH-120 or higher.
‡ Students may choose any science course numbered NSCI-120 or higher.
Pre-baccalaureate studies, visual communications studies (film and animation option), typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NGRP-220 | Videography | 3 |
| SOFA-107 | Principles of Animation | 3 |
| SOFA-103 | Film/Video Materials and Technology | 3 |
| SOFA-106 | Film Syntax | 3 |
| Theatre Electives/Performing Arts† | 3-9 | |
| LAS General Education | 12 | |
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 28-34 | |
Please see the General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) in the Graduation Requirements section of this bulletin for more information.
† Please see the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences support coordinator for a list of current theatre electives.
Pre-baccalaureate studies, visual communications studies (School of Media Sciences), typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NAIS-130 | Raster and Vector Graphics | 3 |
| NAIS-150 | Page Layout I | 3 |
| NGRP-231 | Image Preparation | 3 |
| NGRP-232 | Image Manipulation | 3 |
| NGRP-245 | Color Theory and Management | 3 |
| Math Course† | 3 | |
| Science Course‡ | 3 | |
| LAS General Education | 12 | |
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 34 | |
Please see the General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) in the Graduation Requirements section of this bulletin for more information.
† Students may choose any mathematics course numbered NMTH-120 or higher.
‡ Students may choose any science course numbered NSCI-120 or higher.
Engineering Studies
Dino Laury, Chairperson, Engineering Studies
Pre-baccalaureate studies, engineering option, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| First Year Seminar | 3 | |
| Pre-baccalaureate Courses† | 0-3 | |
| Major Courses | 6 | |
| PHYS-211, 212 | University Physics I, II | 8 |
| LAS General Education | 6 | |
| MATH-181, 182 | Project-based Calculus I, II‡ | 8 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 32-35 | |
Please see the General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) in the Graduation Requirements section of this bulletin for more information.
† Pre-baccalaureate courses strengthen students’ skills in critical thinking, learning strategies, and specific discipline areas.
‡ Alternative mathematics courses may be required as prerequisites, depending on placement. If pursuing the physics option, students must choose the physics sequence.
Pre-baccalaureate studies, engineering technology option, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| First Year Seminar | 3 | |
| Pre-baccalaureate Courses† | 0-3 | |
| Undeclared Engineering Technology Seminar | 1 | |
| Major Courses | 6 | |
| LAS General Education | 6 | |
| PHYS-111 | College Physics I | 4 |
| MATH-111 | Pre-Calculus | 3 |
| MATH-171, 172 | Calculus A, B‡ | 6 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 30-33 | |
Please see the General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) in the Graduation Requirements section of this bulletin for more information.
† Pre-baccalaureate courses strengthen students’ skills in critical thinking, learning strategies, and specific discipline areas.
‡ Alternative mathematics courses may be required as prerequisites, depending on placement. If pursuing the physics option, students must choose the physics sequence.
Liberal Studies
Jennifer L. Gravitz, Chairperson, Liberal Studies
Students entering pre-baccalaureate studies in liberal studies will typically be required to have:
ACT: Minimum composite score of 19 with a reading score of 20 and all other skill area scores of 18 or higher
English: Placement into Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100)
Mathematics: Placement into the NTID Advanced Mathematics (NMTH-275) course or higher
Pre-baccalaureate studies, liberal arts, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| First Year Major Courses | 6 | |
| LAS General Education* | 6-9 | |
| Mathematics or Science Course‡ | 3 | |
| NTID Humanities or Social Science Courses§ | 3 | |
| Pre-Baccalaureate Courses† | 6-9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 25-31 | |
* Please see the NTID General Education Curriculum–Liberal Arts and Sciences for more information. Depending on placement, the writing sequence may begin with Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100) or a First Year Writing course, such as FYW: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150). Students should also choose a course that satisfies one of the RIT LAS Perspectives: ethical (P1), artistic (P2), global (P3), or social (P4).
† Pre-baccalaureate courses strengthen students’ skills in critical thinking, learning strategies, and specific discipline areas.
‡ Students may choose one of the following: NMTH-210, NMTH-250, NMTH-260, or a science course numbered NSCI-250 or higher.
§ Students may choose one of the following: any communication studies course numbered NCOM-201 or higher, or any humanities and social sciences course numbered NHSS-260 or higher.
Science and Mathematics
Matthew A. Lynn, Chairperson, Science and Mathematics
Students entering pre-baccalaureate studies in science or mathematics will typically be required to have:
ACT: Minimum composite score of 21 with subscores of at least 19.
English: Placement into Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100)
Mathematics: Placement in NTID Advanced Mathematics (NMTH-275) course or higher
Pre-baccalaureate studies (biology, biotechnology, environmental science, environmental management, or medical sciences), typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| Pre-baccalaureate courses# | 3-6 | |
| BIOL-101, 102 | General Biology I, II | 6 |
| BIOL-103, 104 | General Biology Lab I, II | 2 |
| LAS General Education* | 9 | |
| MATH-101 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH-161 | Applied Calculus‡ | 3 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 27-30 | |
# Pre-baccalaureate courses are an available option to strengthen students’ skills in critical thinking, learning strategies, and specific discipline areas.
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information. Depending on placement, the writing sequence may begin with Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100) or FYW: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150).
‡ Alternative mathematics courses may be required as prerequisites, depending on placement.
Pre-baccalaureate studies in science (chemistry option), typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| Pre-baccalaureate courses# | 3-6 | |
| CHMG-141, 142 | General and Analytical Chemistry I, II | 6 |
| CHMG-145, 146 | General and Analytical Chemistry Labs I, II | 2 |
| MATH-181, 182 | Project-Based Calculus I, II | 6 |
| LAS General Education* | 9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 27-30 | |
# Pre-baccalaureate courses are available to strengthen students’ skills in critical thinking, learning strategies, and specific discipline areas.
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information. Depending on placement, the writing sequence may begin with Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100) or FYW: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150).
Pre-baccalaureate studies in science (math or physics option), typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| NCAR-100 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| Pre-baccalaureate courses# | 3-6 | |
| Choose one of the following course sequences: | 8 | |
| CHMG-141, 142, 145, 146 | General and Analytical Chemistry I, II and Labs I, II | |
| PHYS-211, 212 | University Physics I, II§ | |
| Choose one of the following course sequences: | 6 | |
| MATH-171, 172 | Calculus A, B‡ | |
| MATH-181, 182 | Project-Based Calculus I, II‡ | |
| LAS General Education* | 9 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 27-30 | |
# Pre-baccalaureate courses are an option to strengthen students’ skills in critical thinking, learning strategies, and specific discipline areas.
‡ Alternate mathematics courses may be required as prerequisites, depending on placement.
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information. Depending on placement, the writing sequence may begin with Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100) or FYW: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150).
§ If pursuing the physics option, students must choose the physics sequence.