Medical Illustration MFA - Curriculum

This course provides an in-depth study of the structure of the human body. Emphasis is on understanding the relationships between anatomical structures as well as their form, texture, and color. Dissection of a human cadaver is supplemented with lectures on the structure and function of the major organ systems. (This course is restricted to ILLM-MFA Major students.) Lab 9, Lecture 3 (Fall).

Through independent research and acquired understanding of human gross anatomy, students create illustrations designed to support medical or graduate level instruction of Human Gross Anatomy. Course requires students to cognitively illustrate their subjects, rather than creating literal interpretations of their observations. Work is intended for full color print media. (This course is restricted to ILLM-MFA Major students.) Studio 5 (Fall).

This course introduces strategies to create polygonal models of biomedical subjects. Students will use contemporary research to accurately define structure and suggest function. Instruction will also focus on lighting and "shader" systems that emphasize form and are consistent with tissue characteristics. (This course is restricted to ILLM-MFA Major students.) Studio 6 (Fall).

This course explores animating biomedical subjects and processes. Students will be asked to research contemporary theory defining their subjects' anatomy and create animations consistent with their findings. Frame by frame animation, blend shapes, non-linear deformers, and rigging systems will be introduced to permit students to choose the most effective method for creating motion and transformation. (Prerequisites: ILLM-603 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Spring).

Students will learn to use industry-standard raster and vector illustration software to create images based on independent research of medical topics. Students will also use page layout applications to combine digital images with text and other graphic elements. Coursework emphasizes creation of illustrations to support medical education and publishing. (This course is restricted to ILLM-MFA Major students.) Lecture 2, Studio 3 (Spring).

Emerging technologies enable scientists to visualize structures that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. For example, molecular visualization software allows us to construct highly accurate molecular models from x-ray crystallography and other structural data. Cryo-EM and confocal microscopy are revealing the previously unknown structure of cellular organelles. Medical imaging systems allow us to reconstruct the human body in three dimensions from actual patient data (CT scans, MRI, etc.). This course explores the use of these technologies to provide references for traditional artwork and to export models for digital rendering and animation. (Prerequisites: ILLM-601 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Spring).

Students conduct background research and create a body of artwork on a contemporary medical topic. The artwork is exhibited during one of several graduate thesis shows or during a screening of digital animation and interactive works. The thesis culminates with the production of a written thesis paper that documents the process of creating the work. (This course is restricted to ILLM-MFA Major students.) Thesis (Fall, Spring).

This course is designed as a graduate-level course in pathophysiology, the study of disease and its consequences to human health. It covers mechanisms of cell injury, the homeostatic responses of cells and tissues, and the clinical manifestations of disease, concentrating on the disease states that are most frequently encountered in clinical practice, including infection, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. The course follows a medical school model by using a clinical case-based approach that promotes active, team-based learning and professional written communication. Students will conduct independent research to create and illustrate a clinical case study. (This course is restricted to ILLM-MFA Major students.) Lecture 3 (Spring).

This graduate course in the Medical Illustration (MFA) program will provide an introduction to the fundamental facts and concepts on immunology to include: innate and adaptive immunity; cells, molecules, tissues and organs of the immune "system"; cell communication and interaction; antibody structure and function; and the application of these concepts to infectious diseases, vaccine design, autoimmune diseases, cancer, transplantation, regulation of the immune response, allergic reactions and immunosuppression. Students will gain an understanding of immunological principles and techniques, and their application to contemporary research, with results from instructor’s research laboratory. (This course is restricted to ILLM-MFA Major students.) Lecture 3 (Fall).

Students observe and sketch live surgical procedures at a local hospital. After further background research, students translate their sketches into finished illustrations that are used in medical training, patient education, and litigation. Demonstrations of sketching and rendering techniques are supplemented with lectures on general surgical principles and common procedures. (Prerequisites: ILLM-601 and ILLM-607 or equivalent courses.) Studio 6 (Fall).

This course is an introduction to two dimensional computer illustration, animation, and interactive media as they apply to contemporary methods of instruction in medicine and allied health. Students will research a current topic in health care and develop interactive lessons that match the instructional objectives of their topic. Students will organize these lessons as a web site. (Prerequisites: ILLM-607 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 6 (Fall).

This course continues the development of student web sites designed for allied health instruction. Advanced topics in two dimensional computer illustration, animation, and interactive media will be presented. Students will research current topics in health care and continue the development of the interactive lesson begun in the previous class. (Prerequisites: ILLM-615 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Spring).

This course helps prepare students to enter the workforce in full-time positions or as freelance illustrators. Students create a traditional portfolio, personal identity package, and marketing materials. The course also introduces important business concepts such as copyright, licensing, pricing, contracts, taxation, and formation of a proper business. (Prerequisites: ILLM-612 or equivalent course.) Lab 3, Lecture 2 (Spring).

Students conduct background research and create a body of artwork on a contemporary medical topic. The artwork is exhibited during one of several graduate thesis shows or during a screening of digital animation and interactive works. The thesis culminates with the production of a written thesis paper that documents the process of creating the work. (This course is restricted to ILLM-MFA Major students.) Thesis (Fall, Spring).

This graduate course in the Medical Illustration (MFA) program combines lecture and laboratory sessions to introduce students to the microscopic anatomy of both normal and pathologic human tissues and organs, with special emphasis given to the relationships between cellular architecture and normal versus altered physiologic function. Students will created illustrations and annotated digital images, and complete a final project designed to teach the etiology and pathogenesis of a chosen disease state to students at a graduate level. (One year of General Biology with lab) (This course is restricted to ILLM-MFA Major students.) Lab 3, Lecture 3 (Fall).