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Biological/Pre-Medical Illustration

This is an archived copy of the 2018-2019 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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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 courses29
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 design12
Biological Science courses24
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 following3
Dendrology
Plant Systematics
Plant Anatomy
9 credits chosen from a list of approved biological science courses9

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 have credit for ENGL 150; earn a C or better in ENGL 250 or equivalent composition courses; and earn a C or better 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.

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 211Principles of Biology I3
BIOL 211LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory I1
BIOL 212Principles of Biology II3
BIOL 212LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory II1

The art and design courses must include:

BPM I 323Scientific Illustration Principles and Techniques3
BPM I 337Application of Scientific Illustration Techniques3
Advanced drawing, illustration, electronic media or painting course3

For more information, contact the BPM I adviser in 102 Catt Hall or view the website listed above.

Biological/Pre-Medical Illustration, B.A.
120 minimum credits required.

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
LAS 1011LIB 1601 
ENGL 1503Humanities3 
CHEM 1634BIOL 2123 
CHEM 163L1BIOL 212L1 
BIOL 2113ARTIS 2303 
BIOL 211L1Soc Sci Choice3 
DSN S 1314CHEM 231.231L or STAT or MATH3-4 
 17 17-18
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Foreign Lang. or Humanities (ART 280)3-4For Lang or Social Sci3-4Consider study abroad or attending summer GNSI Workshops or a Biological Station to take advanced Biology Courses 
CHEM 231/231L or STAT or MATH3-4BPM I 3263 
BPM I 3233ARTIS 3303 
ENGL 2503Humanities3 
BIOL 2553BIOL 2563 
 15-17 15-16 0
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
BPM I 3273BPM I 3373 
Advanced Biology 3-4BIOL 3515 
ARTIS 3083Soc Sci3 
Humanities or Social Sci3ARTIS 2333 
Advanced Biology or Art or plant science3Humanities and Advanced Art3 
Work with BPMI advisory committee to plan senior project for portfolio   
If planning to attend graduate school, take GRE in Fall and prepare up to 20 portfolio pieces for submission in January   
 15-16 17
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
Advanced Biology3-5Advanced Biology3-4 
Advanced Art3-6Advanced Art3-6 
Humanities/Social Elective3Humanities/Social Sci/Elective3-6 
BPMI 4971ENGL 302-3163 
Electives2  
 12-17 12-19

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Courses

Courses primarily for undergraduates:

(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.

(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.

(Cross-listed with ARTIS). (0-6) Cr. 3.

Prereq: ARTIS 326
Studio problems in illustration emphasizing composition and communication. Problem solving methodologies.

(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.

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.

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.

(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.

(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.

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

Cr. 1-3. Repeatable.


Intensive exploration of illustration techniques in a studio or field setting.

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.