The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) can trace its origins to the founding of the Rochester Athenaeum in 1829. After joining with several different Rochester institutions during the 19th century, the Athenaeum finally merged with the Mechanics Institute (founded in 1885) in 1891 to form the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute (RAMI). RAMI changed its name to the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1944 to better reflect the university's role in the field of technical education. Over the years, new programs were added and the enrollment figures for the school drastically increased. For instance, during the early 2000s the university submitted a proposal for a certificate program in echocardiography. The certificate program was to be part of the Department of Medical Science's Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. Part of the allied health field, echocardiography involves the study of the cardiac muscles through ultrasound technology. The certificate was designed to help train future sonographers in a specialized field of ultrasound technology. The program was approved and as of 2011 was still offered at the university.
From the description of Certification in Echocardiography program proposal, 2001-2004. (RIT Library). WorldCat record id: 767739925
