College Component - CAST

There are four major Departments plus the Center for Multidisciplinary Studies within the College of Applied Science and Technology. Each Department has multiple Programs resulting in over 15 BS plus some BS/MS degrees. Students in these majors may apply to the Honors Program as incoming freshmen or late entry (first year or second year) as described on the honors web page.

RIT's College of Applied Science and Technology, (CAST), is one of the most unique and innovative colleges in the world. At the heart of every CAST program is a commitment to preparing students to be innovative, technologically advanced, and entrepreneurial. The result is a college filled with diverse, technologically-focused programs that prepare students for cutting-edge careers. CAST has a variety of traditional and non-traditional academic offerings - Master's, Bachelor's, and BS/MS combination degrees. There are approximately 3,200 total students in CAST -20% of RIT enrollment! In 2004, Honors in CAST had 10 students. By 2006 school year, there were approximately 36 CAST Honors students and the program continues to grow both in the number of students and the disciplines represented. Your department Honors advocate - a faculty member - is an important link in helping you find, develop, and participate in the activities that will enhance your CAST Honors experience. CAST Honors students are encouraged to pursue unique enhancements to their creative/academic endeavors and are advised and mentored by their department advocate. Your faculty department advocate helps you to make connections and contacts within the college and RIT, facilitate activities, plan your academic program, and help you make the individual plans that match your needs and interests. Such activities or projects might include things such as honors seminars, interdisciplinary design projects, a study abroad experience, field trips, an honors internship or co-op assignment, a design & build project that goes beyond the norm for their respective program, advanced projects or research, attendance at professional meetings or a national convention, or working with industry advisory boards. The CAST honors committee, formed in Fall 2006 is chaired by the Associate Dean (College Honors Advocate) and made up of the department faculty Honors advocates and CAST Honors student representation. As a group, CAST Honors students hold college-wide meetings with the advocate and department advocates throughout the school year to plan events, discuss issues of interest, offer suggestions, and enjoy food and fun. Upon acceptance into the Honors Program, CAST students are eligible for all RIT Honors Program benefits such as scholarship money, honors housing, general education honors courses, complementary learning experiences, eligibility for Honors travel grants, and more. Developing leadership skills early in the student's academic career, exposing them to industry leaders, professional standards and technological innovations, and global understandings are all goals of the CAST program.

Please contact your CAST Honors Advocate:

Linda Tolan
Associate Dean
Building 10, Room 1126
(585) 475-5078