Overview
The interdepartmental undergraduate Scientific Illustration and Visualization major is designed for students who want to combine their interests and aptitudes in science and art. Based on the theme of Communicating Science Through Art, the major prepares students for careers in biological visualization/illustration or for graduate education in medical visualization/illustration. Graduates enter fields such as biocommunications, environmental display design, freelance illustration, UX/UI and museum display design, creative technologies, instructional design, and various careers in the publishing, research and education, and visual communication industries.
Student Learning Outcomes
Throughout its over 40-year existence, the underlying philosophy of the program has been to emphasize both art and science; students take approximately equal credit hours in the two major areas. Another important guiding principle has been visual thinking and problem-solving, and a third is maintaining student proficiency in a wide range of visual communication methods and technologies so they have the skill to choose the most effective tools for a given communication objective. Upon completion of the Scientific Illustration and Visualization major, graduates will:
- Implement effective academic research methods and concept development processes for producing meaningful educational visual solutions.
- Demonstrate advanced science knowledge in a science focus area of choice (for example, pre-medical, or non-medical areas of life and earth science).
- Demonstrate the ability to deconstruct and visualize complex science in order to create accessible, accurate, aesthetic, and meaningful visual representations, including diagrammatic, realistic, and symbolic, for a range of outputs (print, modeled, online, mobile).
- Implement interdisciplinary thinking in team-based and independent projects.
- Flexibly adapt to new technology and communication challenges.
- Showcase and analyze works by articulating key visual elements in formal presentations, in written and oral format, and during assessments and critiques.
- Demonstrate effective use of design principles, problem solving skills, and visual organization.
- Demonstrate career-readiness and professional practice competencies.
- Exhibit an academic trajectory for engaging in life-long learning.
Entrance Requirements
Entrance into the Scientific Illustration and Visualization major is by application to the Scientific Illustration and Visualization Advisory Committee. Eligibility is based on an academic standard of at least 2.00 cumulative GPA on 30 credits of university level work and a consideration of artistic ability as demonstrated through submission of a portfolio of representative drawings or another artwork. Freshman and transfer students usually declare pre-Scientific Illlustration and Visualization as their major while satisfying the conditions for entrance into the major, although other majors can be declared.
Degree Requirements
The information below outlines the specific requirements for the Scientific Illustration and Visualization, B.A. degree. There are four components to the program requirements:
- Liberal arts general education
- Science core and advanced courses
- Art core and advanced courses
- Electives
Part 1. College Requirements
a. Communication Proficiency Requirements
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication (grade of C or better) | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (grade of C or better) | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| 3 |
| 0-8 |
| |
| Total Credits | 10-18 |
B. Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements*
Part 2. Course Requirements for Major in Scientific Illustration and Visualization
A. Biological Sciences Core
| LAS 2930D | Special Projects: General (F.) | 1 |
| or LAS 1010 | Orientation |
BIOL 2110
& 2110L | Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I (F.S.) | 4 |
BIOL 2120
& 2120L | Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology Laboratory II (F.S.) | 4 |
BIOL 2550
& 2550L | Fundamentals of Human Anatomy
and Fundamentals of Human Anatomy Laboratory | 4-5 |
or BIOL 2560
& BIOL 2550L | Fundamentals of Human Physiology
and Fundamentals of Human Anatomy Laboratory |
or BIOL 3130
& 3130L | Principles of Genetics
and Genetics Laboratory |
or BIOL 3350
& 3350L | Principles of Human and Other Animal Physiology
and Principles of Human and Other Animal Physiology Laboratory |
| or BIOL 3500 | Comprehensive Human Anatomy |
or BIOL 3510
& 3510L | Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
and Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy Laboratory |
| or BIOL 3650 | Vertebrate Biology |
| |
| BIOL 3560 | Dendrology | 3-4 |
| or BIOL 3660 | Plant Systematics |
| or BIOL 4510 | Plant Evolution and Phylogeny |
| or BIOL 4540 | Plant Anatomy |
GEOL 2020
& 2020L | History of the Earth
and History of the Earth: Laboratory | 3 |
| or BIOL 3120 | Ecology |
| or BIOL 3150 | Biological Evolution |
| Total Credits | 19-21 |
B. Art Core
Beyond the core preparation, students must take 9 credits in the advanced science area and 12 credits in the advanced art area. The courses acceptable in these areas follow. Other courses in art and biological science may be acceptable. See academic advisors and/or the Scientific Illustration and Visualization Advisory Committee.
C. Advanced Art Area
D. Advanced Science Area
As majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Scientific Illustration and Visualization students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University-wide requirements for graduation in addition to those stated above for the major.
LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 3000/4000 level. You must also complete the LAS world language requirement and career proficiency requirement.
Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. Cultures and Communities and a three-credit course in International Perspectives. Check (http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html) for a list of approved courses. Discuss with your advisor how the two courses that you select can be applied to your graduation plan.
Minor
A minor in Scientific Illustration and Visualization is offered. A minimum of 17 credits must be taken, including 8 credits in biological science courses and 9 credits in art and design courses. The minor must include at least 3 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.
The biological sciences must include:
The art and design courses must include:
| SCIVZ 3230 | Scientific Illustration Principles and Techniques | 3 |
| SCIVZ 3370 | Application of Scientific Illustration Techniques | 3 |
| 3 |
For more information, contact the Scientific Illustration and Visualization advisor or view the website listed above.
The Scientific Illustration and Visualization Undergraduate Minor is an LAS Minor. In addition to University policies governing minors, LAS minors require at least 6 credits in courses numbered 3000 and above, with a grade of C or higher.
