Jun 04, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Scientific Illustration (Pre-Medical Emphasis) B.A.


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About the Program


  • Provides preparation for graduate study in medical illustration (Pre-Medical Emphasis)
  • Provides preparation for professional careers in biological illustration
  • Allows students to take advantage of a well-respected and innovative biology department
  • Offers internships at studios, research institutions, hospitals and zoos
  • Affords opportunities to study at some of the top universities around the world

Scientific Illustration is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the creation of images used to clarify scientific concepts. The program in Scientific Illustration combines study in biology with instruction in the fine and applied arts. Two emphases exist within the program: Scientific Illustration, which prepares students for a number of possible careers in biological, botanical, or related scientific illustration, and Scientific Illustration (Pre-Medical Emphasis), which prepares students for graduate study in medical illustration.

Prospective students must present evidence of capability in science and a portfolio demonstrating skill in representational drawing.

Requirements


(97 credits as listed below, with Undergraduate Curriculum requirements and electives to total 137 credits)

Adjustments in the requirements for the major in Scientific Illustration can be made with the approval of the Program Adviser. A maximum of 96 credits in art and science can be counted toward the degree.

Two Art History courses (8 credits)


Two Scientific Illustration courses (8 credits)


Seven Science Courses (28 credits)


  • BI 101   General Biology I 
  • BI 102   General Biology II
  • CH 101   General Chemistry I or
  • CH 111   Conceptual Chemistry I
  • CH 102   General Chemistry II or
  • CH 112   Conceptual Chemistry II
  • BI 205   Human Anatomy and
  • BI 206   Human Physiology

 

one course from the following:

  • BI 317   Developmental Biology or
  • BI 318   Human Genome and Disease or
  • BI 325   Cell Biology or
  • BI 327   Histology

 

Senior Capstone Experience (9 credits)


Recommended


Internships or Apprenticeships


Two- or four-credit internships or apprenticeships consisting of supervised training in illustration, design, computer imaging, systematics and/or collections management may be set up at a studio or research institution in the Philadelphia area. Past internship sites include the Academy of Natural Sciences, Jefferson Hospital and the Philadelphia Zoo.

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