Biological/Pre-Medical Illustration
Interdepartmental Undergraduate Program
Undergraduate Study
The interdepartmental undergraduate BPM I 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 illustration or for graduate education in medical illustration elsewhere. Graduates enter fields such as biocommunications, environmental display design, free-lance illustration, museum display design, and various careers in the publishing industry.
Entrance into the BPM I program is by application to the BPM I Advisory Committee. Eligibility is based on an academic standard of at least 2.00 CGPA on 30 credits of university level work and a consideration of artistic ability as demonstrated through submission of a portfolio of representative drawings or other art work. Freshman and transfer students usually declare pre-BPM I as their major while satisfying the conditions for entrance into the major, although other majors can be declared.
To earn the B.A. degree offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students must complete the general education requirements in that college and take at least 41 credits in design and 32 credits in the biological sciences.
| Design courses | 29 | |
| Design Representation | ||
| Drawing II | ||
| Watercolor Painting | ||
| Computer Modeling, Rendering and Virtual Photography | ||
| Drawing III: Life Drawing | ||
| Scientific Illustration Principles and Techniques | ||
| Illustration and Illustration Software | ||
| Illustration as Communication | ||
| Application of Scientific Illustration Techniques | ||
| Illustration Internship | ||
| 12 credits chosen from a list of approved upper level courses in art and design | 12 | |
| Biological Science courses | 24 | |
| Orientation for Open Option and Preprofessional Students | ||
| Principles of Biology I | ||
| Principles of Biology Laboratory I | ||
| Principles of Biology II | ||
| Principles of Biology Laboratory II | ||
| Fundamentals of Human Anatomy | ||
| Fundamentals of Human Physiology | ||
| Comparative Chordate Anatomy | ||
| One of the following | 3 | |
| Dendrology | ||
| Plant Systematics | ||
| Plant Anatomy | ||
| 9 credits chosen from a list of approved biological science courses | 9 | |
Chemistry and Mathematics are also required as supporting courses. Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all art and science courses included in the major and must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.00 in both categories. A brochure is available in 102 Catt Hall that gives a detailed listing of the requirements.
Communication Proficiency Requirement. Students must earn a minimum of C in both ENGL 150 and ENGL 250 or equivalent composition courses and in one advanced writing course numbered ENGL 302 through ENGL 316.
Students in BPM I must complete a senior project or an internship experience (BPM I 497) in which they design and produce artwork that is suitable for publication or public display.
Minor
A minor in biological illustration 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 biological sciences must include:
| BIOL 211 | Principles of Biology I | 3 |
| BIOL 211L | Principles of Biology Laboratory I | 1 |
| BIOL 212 | Principles of Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 212L | Principles of Biology Laboratory II | 1 |
The art and design courses must include:
| BPM I 323 | Scientific Illustration Principles and Techniques | 3 |
| BPM I 337 | Application of Scientific Illustration Techniques | 3 |
| Advanced drawing, illustration, electronic media or painting course | ||
For more information, contact the BPM I adviser in 102 Catt Hall or view the website listed above.
Courses
Courses primarily for undergraduates:
BPM I 323. Scientific Illustration Principles and Techniques.
(Cross-listed with ARTIS). (0-6) Cr. 3.
Repeatable.
Prereq: 6 credits in art and design and 3 credits in biological sciences
Studio basics and professional techniques in black & white, continuous tone, and color. Emphasis on tools, materials, and rendering.
BPM I 326. Illustration and Illustration Software.
(Cross-listed with ARTIS). (0-6) Cr. 3.
Repeatable.
Prereq: ARTIS 323
Application of painting, drawing, and image making techniques to communication. Development of technical abilities using illustration software. Digital and print production techniques.
BPM I 327. Illustration as Communication.
(Cross-listed with ARTIS). (0-6) Cr. 3.
Prereq: ARTIS 326
Studio problems in illustration emphasizing composition and communication. Problem solving methodologies.
BPM I 337. Application of Scientific Illustration Techniques.
(Cross-listed with ARTIS). (0-6) Cr. 3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. S.
Prereq: ARTIS 327
Rendering techniques applied to different types of biological and scientific subjects emphasizing communication. The use of traditional and digital media. Term project required.
BPM I 395. Field Illustration.
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits. S.SS.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
A combination seminar and field trip course emphasizing nature interpretation, field sketching techniques and preparation of a final illustration based on field experience.
BPM I 398. Cooperative Education.
Cr. R.
F.S.SS.
Prereq: Permission of the program cooperative education coordinator, junior classification
Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for these courses prior to commencing each work period.
BPM I 435I. Illustrating Nature I Sketching.
(Cross-listed with IA LL). Cr. 2.
SS.
Sketching plants, animals and terrain. Visual communication, development of a personal style, and integration of typographic and visual elements on a page will be emphasized.
BPM I 436I. Illustrating Nature II Photography.
(Cross-listed with IA LL). Cr. 2.
SS.
Beginning to intermediate technical and compositional aspects of color photography of natural areas and their plants and animals.
BPM I 490. Independent Study.
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable, maximum of 3 credits.
Prereq: Written approval of instructor and advisory committee chair on required form in advance of semester of enrollment
BPM I 494. Special Topics in Illustration.
Cr. 1-3.
Repeatable.
Intensive exploration of illustration techniques in a studio or field setting.
BPM I 497. Illustration Internship.
Cr. 1-6.
Repeatable, maximum of 6 credits.
Prereq: Junior or senior classification in BPM I, written approval of supervising instructor and advisory committee chair on required form in advance of semester of enrollment
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
