The program in Scientific Illustration combines study in biology with instruction in the fine and applied arts. Prospective students must present evidence of capability in science and a portfolio demonstrating skill in representational drawing.
Scientific Illustration Requirements
Credits
89 credits as listed below, with Undergraduate Curriculum requirements and electives to total 124 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)
One 100-level course in Art History, including:
- AH 101 Introduction to Global Art History: Prehistory to 1300
- AH 102 Introduction to Global Art History: 1300 to the Present
One 200-level course in Art History
Studio Art Courses (40 credits)
- FA 102 Studio Art Foundations I
- FA 103 Studio Art Foundations II
- FA 104 Drawing I
- FA 105 Drawing II
- FA 200 Painting I
- FA 206 Introduction to Graphic Design
- FA 226 Illustration I or
- FA 228 Illustration II (Children’s Book Illustration)
- FA 250 Graphic Design I (Typography)
- FA 270 Digital Imaging I
- FA 300 Advanced Drawing
- FA 304 Figure Drawing
- FA 387 Internship or
- FA 378 Entrepreneurship/Gallery Apprenticeship
Two Scientific Illustration courses (8 credits)
- SI 301 Scientific Illustration I
- SI 302 Scientific Illustration II
Six Science courses (24 credits)
- BI 101 General Biology I
- BI 102 General Biology II
- BI 211 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
- BI 317 Developmental Biology or
- BI 318 Human Genome and Disease or
- BI 327 Histology
- BI 322 Plant Biology
- CH 101 General Chemistry I
Senior Capstone Experience (9 credits)
- FA 383 Senior Studio
- FA 484 Senior Seminar
- SI 490 Senior Thesis
- FA 490L Senior Thesis Lecture
Recommended
- FA 208 Photography I
- FA 210 Painting II
- FA 276 Digital Fabrication
- BI 329 Ecology
- BI 330 Conservation Biology
Scientific Illustration (Pre-Medical Emphasis) Requirements
Credits
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)
One 100-level course in Art History, including:
- AH 101 Introduction to Global Art History: Prehistory to 1300
- AH 102 Introduction to Global Art History: 1300 to the Present
One 200-level course in Art History
Studio Art courses (44 credits)
- FA 102 Studio Art Foundations I
- FA 103 Studio Art Foundations II
- FA 104 Drawing I
- FA 105 Drawing II
- FA 200 Painting I
- FA 206 Introduction to Graphic Design
- FA 208 Photography I
- FA 226 Illustration I or
- FA 228 Illustration II (Children’s Book Illustration)
- FA 250 Graphic Design I (Typography)
- FA 270 Digital Imaging I
- FA 300 Advanced Drawing
- FA 304 Figure Drawing
- FA 387 Internship (2 or 4 Credits) or
- FA 378 Entrepreneurship/Gallery Apprenticeship
Recommended: FA 210 Painting II or FA 271 Digital Imaging II or FA 276 Digital Fabrication
Two Scientific Illustration courses (8 credits)
- SI 301 Scientific Illustration I
- SI 302 Scientific Illustration II
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
two courses from the following:
- BI 206 Physiology and
- BI 211 Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
or
- BI 205 Human Anatomy and
- BI 206 Human Physiology
one course from the following:
- BI 317 Developmental Biology
- BI 318 Human Genome and Disease
- BI 325 Cell Biology
- BI 327 Histology
Senior Capstone Experience (9 credits)
- FA 383 Senior Studio (2 credits)
- FA 484 Senior Seminar (3 credits)
- SI 490 Senior Thesis (4 credits)
- FA 490L Senior Thesis Lecture (0 credits)
Recommended
- FA 210 Painting II (4 credits)
- FA 271 Digital Imaging II
- FA 276 Digital Fabrication
- BI 204 Genetics
- BI 322 Plant Biology
Internships
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.
