Photographic Arts and Sciences Exploration


Photographic Arts and Sciences Exploration
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- Rochester Institute of Technology /
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- Photographic Arts and Sciences Exploration
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Spend up to a year exploring RIT’s photography majors as you decide which program best matches your career goals.
Overview for Photographic Arts and Sciences Exploration
For students interested in photography but unsure which major best meets their career aspirations, the photographic arts and sciences exploration option provides you with an overview of the two photography majors and their options. Students will learn about the curriculum, course work, and career paths associated with the BFA in photographic and imaging arts (with options in advertising photography, fine art photography, photojournalism, or visual media) and the BS in photographic sciences. This exploration option allows you to take up to a year to learn about each major while you complete general education and liberal arts courses.
Featured Work
Short Attention Span Film Festival 2023
RIT's Short Attention Span Film Festival is a showcase of moving media projects by students from a variety of majors in the College of Art and Design. Submission include animations (2D, 3D and stop...
Photographing Bills Mafia
Clay Patrick McBride
RIT faculty and students captured the unique pre-game traditions and unbridled passion of Buffalo Bills fans for a story and picture essay featured in Sports Illustrated.
Photojournalism Trip to New York City
Meredith Davenport
A professional development class for juniors to travel to New York City and visit industry leaders and RIT alumni.
Featured Profiles
Pulitzer Prize Legacy
William Snyder
RIT photojournalism alumni have a strong legacy of journalistic excellence, highlighted by the many Pulitzer Prizes they have been recognized with.
'Absence and Presence'
Vincent Alban's capstone project about gun violence issues won a host of student and professional competitions.
Why You Belong in RIT's College of Art and Design
Todd Jokl, Mari Jaye Blanchard, Melissa Dawson, Clay Patrick McBride
Get an in-depth look at RIT's College of Art and Design from our faculty and students. Let us share with you how our community of artists pushes the boundaries of creativity and innovation. And...
Curriculum for 2023-2024 for Photographic Arts and Sciences Exploration
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Photography undeclared, typical course sequence
Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
---|---|---|
First Year | ||
Choose one of the following: | 8 | |
PHPS-101,102 | Photography I, II (BS) | |
PHAR-101,102 | Photo Arts I, II (BFA) | |
PHPS-106 | Photographic Technology I This is the first in a two-course sequence that explores the technology of photography. This course demonstrates the application of physics, mathematics and optical science to the technology of image making. The course also provides the students with the opportunity to employ statistical data analysis to identify trends through laboratory exercises utilizing principles of scientific inquiry. Among the topics explored are the optics and physics of image formation, lens evaluation, light sources, digital light-sensitive materials, digital workflows, variability, quality control and photographic effects. Lab 2 (Fall). |
3 |
PHPS-107 | Photographic Technology II This is the second course in a two-semester course based in the study of the technology of photography, with emphasis on applications to real world photographic problems. Among the topics studied will include color vision, Munsell color system, CIELAB system, color theory, color management, digital color balance during post-processing, digital tone reproduction, and digital workflows. (Prerequisite: PHPS-106 or equivalent course.) Lab 2 (Spring). |
3 |
ENGL-150 | FYW: Future of Writing This First Year Writing Intensive course is designed to develop first-year students’ proficiency in analytical writing, rhetorical reading, and critical thinking by focusing on particular uses of narrative. Students will read, understand, and interpret a variety of texts representing different cultural perspectives and/or academic disciplines. Increasingly, scholars, artists, public figures and other professionals recognize the value of using stories across genres to inform analytical practice. Students will gain informed practice in using narrative in different disciplines, and become aware of storytelling as one among a number of rhetorical strategies for inquiry. Students will be expected to give presentations as well as write papers both in response to the reading material and in services of their own independent arguments. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
3 |
YOPS-10 | RIT 365: RIT Connections RIT 365 students participate in experiential learning opportunities designed to launch them into their career at RIT, support them in making multiple and varied connections across the university, and immerse them in processes of competency development. Students will plan for and reflect on their first-year experiences, receive feedback, and develop a personal plan for future action in order to develop foundational self-awareness and recognize broad-based professional competencies. Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring). |
0 |
General Education-Ethical Perspective |
3 | |
General Education-Natural Science Inquiry Perspective |
3 | |
General Education-Scientific Principles Perspective |
3 | |
General Education-Mathematical B Perspective |
3 | |
Choose one of the following: | 3 |
|
ARTH-135 | General Education-Artistic Perspective: History of Western Art: Ancient to Medieval In this course students will examine the forms, styles, functions, and meanings of important objects and monuments dating from prehistory through the Middle Ages, and consider these works of art in their social, historical and cultural contexts. The primary goals of this course are to learn how to look, how to describe and analyze what we see, and how to use these skills to understand and explain how art visually expresses meaning. At the end of the term, students will have gained a foundational knowledge of the object, scope and methods of the discipline of art history. The knowledge obtained in this introductory course will also guide students in their own creative endeavors. Lecture 3 (Fa/sp/su). |
|
General Education-Natural Science Inquiry Perspective |
||
General Education-Mathematical A Perspective |
||
Choose one of the following: | 3 |
|
ARTH-136 | General Education-Global Perspective: History of Western Art: Renaissance to Modern In this course students will examine the forms, styles, functions, and meanings of important objects and monuments dating from the Renaissance through the beginning of the twentieth century, and consider these works of art in their social, historical and cultural contexts. The primary goals of this course are to learn how to look and how to describe and analyze what we see, and to use these skills to understand and explain how art visually expresses meaning. At the end of the term, students will have gained a foundational knowledge of the object, scope and methods of the discipline of art history. The knowledge obtained in this introductory course will also guide students in their own creative endeavors. Lecture 3 (Fa/sp/su). |
|
General Education-Mathematical B Perspective |
||
General Education-Scientific Principles Perspective |
||
Choose one of the following: | 3 |
|
FDTN-111 | Drawing I (BFA) This course is an introduction to the visualization of form, thought and expression through the drawing process. Concepts are introduced by lectures, discussions, demonstrations, research, and assigned projects. Designed to provide a broad introductory experience, students will experiment with a wide variety of media, tools, techniques and subjects to develop drawing expertise and problem solving skills related to design and composition. Course work will be assessed through critique, facilitating self-assessment, and the growth of both a visual and verbal vocabulary. The focus of the course is to provide awareness of the full range of ways in which drawing is used as a tool for both self-expression and communication. (Undergraduate Art and Design) Studio 6 (Fall, Spring). |
|
FDTN-121 | 2D Design I This course is a structured, cumulative introduction to the basic elements and principles of two-dimensional design. Organized to create a broad introductory experience, the course focuses on the development of both a visual and a verbal vocabulary as a means of exploring, developing and understanding two-dimensional compositions. Concepts are introduced through lectures, discussions, demonstrations, research, assigned projects and critiques. The course addresses a wide variety of media, tools, techniques both traditional and technological, and theoretical concepts to facilitate skill development and experimentation with process. Visual comprehension, the ability to organize perceptions and horizontal thinking that crosses other disciplines and theories, are key foundational components to the development of problem solving skills. Accumulative aspects of the curriculum included the exploration of historical and cultural themes and concepts intertwined with aspects of personal interpretation and experience. (Undergraduate Art and Design) Studio 6 (Fall, Spring). |
|
General Education-Artistic Perspective (BS) |
||
Total Semester Credit Hours | 32 |
Please see General Education Framework in the Graduation Requirements section of this bulletin for more information.
Latest News
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November 6, 2023
Prospective students explore RIT art and design programs at National Portfolio Day event
The College of Art and Design welcomed 226 young artists to campus for its National Portfolio Day event, where prospective students met one-on-one with faculty about their artwork and different programs.
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October 13, 2023
New site celebrates Pulitzer Prize legacy of alumni
RIT photojournalism alumni have a strong legacy of journalistic excellence, as recognized by the growing number of graduates receiving Pulitzer Prize honors. Their accomplishments are showcased on a new website, rit.edu/pulitzers.
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August 30, 2023
New School of Design director, faculty hires ready for 2023-24 academic year
The College of Art and Design welcomes new hires to its faculty roster while longtime faculty Alex Lobos assumes a role as director of the School of Design.