The first two years of the program involve intensive course, laboratory, and studio work. The third and final year of the program consists of a year-long internship at a museum, institution, or private practice. At the end of the internship year, students return to campus for a presentation, at which time they receive their dual M.A./M.S. degrees.
First-year students take courses in paintings, paper, and objects. This interdisciplinary approach enriches students’ experience and provides excellent training for the problem solving necessary in conservation. Second-year students also work in all areas, but emphasize their chosen areas of specialization. All students complete four course sequences in examination and documentation techniques and conservation science. This information is integrated into second-year specialization projects.
Student projects are based on objects brought into the department during the annual Conservation Clinic, or belong to local museums such as the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Buffalo Museum of Science, the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society, and others. Professors and students work together to select appropriate individualized projects.
Fall Semester
CONSERVATION IMAGING: TECHNICAL EXAMINATION AND DOCUMENTATION I CNS 600
CONSERVATION IMAGING: TECHNICAL EXAMINATION AND DOCUMENTATION LAB I CNS 601
POLYMERS IN ART & CONSERVATION CNS 610
POLYMERS IN ART & CONSERVATION (LAB) CNS 611
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF PAINTINGS I CNS 620
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF PAINTINGS 1 (LAB) CNS 621
TECHNOLOGY & CONSERVATION OF WORKS OF ART ON PAPER I CNS 630
TECHNOLOGY & CONSERVATION OF WORKS OF ART ON PAPER I LABORATORY CNS 631
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF OBJECTS I CNS 640
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF OBJECTS I LABORATORY CNS 641
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CONSERVATION I CNS 685
Spring Semester
CONSERVATION IMAGING: TECHNICAL EXAMINATION AND DOCUMENTATION II CNS 602
CONSERVATION IMAGING: TECHNICAL EXAMINATION AND DOCUMENTATION LAB II CNS 603
CONSERVATION SCIENCE: POLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPY, LIGHT & MATTER CNS 612
CONSERVATION SCIENCE: POLARIZED LIGHT MICROSCOPY, LIGHT & MATTER LABORATORY CNS 613
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF PAINTINGS II CNS 622
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF PAINTINGS II LABORATORY CNS 623
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF WORKS OF ART ON PAPER II CNS 632
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF WORKS OF ART ON PAPER II LABORATORY CNS 633
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF OBJECTS II CNS 642
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF OBJECTS II LABORATORY CNS 643
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CONSERVATION II CNS 686
Fall Semester
CONSERVATION IMAGING: TECHNICAL EXAMINATION AND DOCUMENTATION III CNS 604
CONSERVATION IMAGING: TECHNICAL EXAMINATION AND DOCUMENTATION LAB III CNS 605
CONSERVATION SCIENCE: INORGANIC MATERIALS IN ART AND CONSERVATION CNS 614
CONSERVATION SCIENCE: INORGANIC MATERIALS IN ART & CONSERVATION LABORATORY CNS 615
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF PAINTINGS III SEMINAR (Elective) CNS 624
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF PAINTING III LABORATORY CNS 625
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF WORKS OF ART ON PAPER III SEMINAR (Elective) CNS 634
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF WORKS OF ART ON PAPER III LABORATORY CNS 635
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF OBJECTS III (Elective) CNS 644
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF OBJECTS III LAB CNS 645
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CONSERVATION I CNS 685
MASTER'S PROJECT I CNS 694
Spring Semester
CONSERVATION IMAGING: TECHNICAL EXAMINATION AND DOCUMENTATION IV CNS 606
CONSERVATION IMAGING: TECHNICAL EXAMINATION AND DOCUMENTATION LAB IV CNS 607
TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF PREVENTATIVE CONSERVATION CNS 616
TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF PREVENTATIVE CONSERVATION (LAB) CNS 617
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF PAINTINGS IV (Elective) CNS 626
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF WORKS OF ART ON PAPER IV (Elective) CNS 636
TECHNOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF OBJECTS IV (Elective) CNS 646
SPECIAL TOPICS IN CONSERVATION II CNS 686
MASTER'S PROJECT II CNS 695
Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters**
CNS 698 Internship Sustaining
CNS 699 Internship
**Tuition is charged for the fall semester only.
During the summer months, following the first and second years of training, students are strongly encouraged to find summer experiences in conservation to improve their skills and explore the field. Some students may seek out summer internships, archaeological digs, or research projects. The department serves as a clearinghouse for various summer opportunities, bringing these to the attention of students. Faculty work with students to find summer opportunities but students have also been very successful in arranging their own summer positions to match their particular conservation interests and training needs.
