MS in Biomedical Visualization

Where art, science, and technology meet to better communicate with the world.

The MS in Biomedical Visualization—which we affectionately call BVIS (Bee-Viz)—is the second-oldest and one of only five accredited programs of its kind in North America. With a curriculum at the cutting edge of science and technology, we attract candidates from among the life sciences, healthcare, fine and applied arts, and computer science. Our students become highly-skilled science visualization specialists in medical illustration, animation, interactive media, gaming, haptics, and virtual and augmented reality, working on the frontiers of discovery.

For 100 years, BVIS has been integrating medicine, life science, communication, technology, visual learning, research, artistic training, and more. We collaborate with numerous departments and colleges at UIC, as well as many of the other reputable Chicago Universities. Our close relationships with other medical programs, professional medical societies, medical advertising agencies, pharmaceutical companies, museums, animation studios and software companies give our students real-world, hands-on experience.

The MS in BVIS begins in UIC’s Summer Semester (Term B) in early June and continues through two academic terms, graduating in the second spring (6 semesters: two summer, two fall, two spring). Check out What to Expect for details on the timing of the program.

 

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Stats and Facts

Composite image created by Leah Lebowicz ’12 MS BVIS comprised of artwork by Tom Jones, Alfred Teoli, Craig Gosling ’65 BS BVIS, Jane Hurd ’68 BS BVIS, Scott Barrows ’76 BS BVIS, Kelly Cloninger ’18 MS BVIS, Elizabeth Moss ’18 MS BVIS, Angela Gao ’18 MS B
Centennial celebration
100 years at the intersection of art, life science, medicine and technology
Three BVIS teams participate in the 2023 Vesalius Trust-A-Thon.
The 2023 Vesalius Trust-A-Thon!
Three BVIS student ran teams participated and team "Leave it to BVIS" wins!
A screenshot of the BVIS Instagram account featuring posts in a series called "Faces of BVIS"
Meet the Faces of BVIS
Check out the BVIS instagram account for weekly posts in a series called Faces of BVIS! Take a look at the projects and personal journeys for each of our current second-year students.
CDC Image of the Coronavirus
Worldwide impact
Dan Higgins '03 MS BVIS and team at the CDC created the most well-known medical illustration seen today
Leah Lebowicz head shot
Dr. Leah Lebowicz, BVIS program director
97% of BVIS graduates (2017-21) secured a job in the field within 12 months post-graduation

Your career

Our graduates prepare for careers in medical illustration and visual communication of life science, medicine, healthcare, medical technology and education. As the fields of biomedical discovery and visualization technologies expand, the demand for life sciences visualization specialists continues to grow.

Many of our graduates become board certified as Certified Medical Illustrators through the Association of Medical Illustrators. CMI status encourages lifelong learning and is a measure of professional competency, evaluated through a written test and portfolio review.

Learn from the best

  • Erin Stevens head shot

    Erin Stevens, MS, CFM

    Certified Clinical Anaplastologist

  • Amami Antia-Obong headshot

    Amami Antia-Obong, MS, CMI

    BVIS alumna and full-time faculty member in animation

  • Sam Bond's headshot

    Sam Bond, MS, CMI, FAMI

    The driving force behind the UIC Health Tech Jam

Understanding by doing

Our graduates prepare for careers in medical illustration and visual communication of life science, medicine, healthcare, medical technology and education. As the fields of biomedical discovery and visualization technologies expand, the demand for life sciences visualization specialists continues to grow.

Many of our graduates become board certified as Certified Medical Illustrators through the Association of Medical Illustrators. CMI status encourages lifelong learning and is a measure of professional competency, evaluated through a written test and portfolio review.

Find out more at about the field at the AMI website.

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Alyssa Nelson headshot

We're here for you

Still wondering what an MS in biomedical visualization can do for you? Reach out if you have questions about our program, and we’ll make sure you get the answers you need.

You can contact Alyssa Nelson at:

Accreditation

The Biomedical Visualization graduate program at UIC is one of five accredited graduate programs for medical illustration in North America. Programmatic accreditation by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) ensures the standards by which our program is measured and have been developed by professionals in our discipline. The rigorous process of CAAHEP accreditation as well as annual oversight ensures that our program meets or exceeds these industry standards. Our program was recently reviewed in 2015 and awarded continuing accreditation in January, 2016 through 2024.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354

caahep.org
mail@caahep.org

In higher education, accreditation is recognition by a certified accrediting body that a university meets standards of performance and planning that students and the public can rely upon. The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC) is the accrediting body for UIC. UIC’s most recent accreditation was in 2007-2008, and the University has applied for continuing accreditation review this year.

Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
hlcommission.org
800-621-7440

Outcomes Data

This following data from recent graduate surveys is being published as required by our accrediting body, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The five-year average positive placement rate for BVIS graduates 2017-2021 (our most recent data), 6-12 months post-graduation, is 96.8%.