your adventure in

Photography

View PDF

Photography Minor

The undergraduate minor in Photography reflects the widespread presence and diverse applications of photography in contemporary life. From illustrating scientific principles to self-expression and fine art, the medium serves many purposes. This minor provides an opportunity for students in these programs to combine fine art and photojournalistic approaches, developing stronger, more comprehensive portfolios and gaining a competitive edge in the job market. Open to students across all majors, the minor allows individuals to incorporate photography into their academic experience, tailoring curricula to suit their interests. The Photography minor supports students pursuing careers in a variety of industries, as well as those engaging with photography as a fine art, with applications in design, journalism, marketing, public relations, and beyond.

Students pursuing a Photography Minor will successfully complete 16 to 17 credits for the program of study.

The minor consists of three parts:

  1. A core curriculum of three courses: studio fundamentals, photojournalism and history of photography. (8 credits) 
  2. A choice of two courses from the Practice category. (6 credits) 
  3. One course from the Elective category. (2 or 3 credits)

Iowa State University currently offers two degree programs related to photography: a fine art photography curriculum within the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Art (formerly Integrated Studio Arts) in the College of Design, and a photojournalism curriculum within the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science offered by the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Photography Minor

Students pursuing a Photography Minor will successfully complete 16 to 17 credits for the program of study.

The minor consists of three parts:

  1. A Core curriculum of three courses: studio fundamentals, photojournalism and history of photography. (8 credits) 
  2. A choice of two courses from the Practice category. (6 credits) 
  3. One course from the Elective category. (2 or 3 credits)
Core (required)8
Studio Fundamentals: Photo
Fundamentals of Photojournalism
History of Photography
Practice – Students choose two of the following6
Creative Photography
Advanced Photography
Advanced Techniques in Photojournalism
Architectural Photography
Electives – Students choose one of the following2-3
Studio Fundamentals: Printmaking
Studio Fundamentals: Digital Media
Introduction to Creative Digital Photography
Introduction to Visual Culture Studies
Computer Modeling, Rendering and Virtual Photography
Data, Code, and Form
Video Art
Survey of Film History
Studies in Film
Fundamentals of Mobile Photography
Visual Principles for Mass Communicators