What to Expect

Thinking about joining our program? Find out what you can expect as a student at UIC.

The Biomedical Visualization program is a two year full time masters program consisting of two Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters. While the majority of our students attend full time, certain exceptions are allowed for students who request to complete the program part time.

 

Part Time Track

With permission from faculty, the part time student will work with their advisors to plan out their graduate career. The part time track has the same required courses of the full time track but spread throughout 4-5 years. Towards the end of the first year the part time student will be required to select either an animation, modeling, interactive, illustration, or design focus for their remaining electives.

For more information at the course schedule, download the Biomedical Visualization Part Time Course.pdf. Consult the UIC Academic Catalog for course descriptions.

 

Full-Time Track

Click on each of the tabs (Year 1, Year 2) and each of the sub-tabs (Summer, Fall, and Spring) to get a detailed look at the courses students can take each semester of the BVIS program.

Required courses

BVIS 518Web Development2 hours
BVIS 552Graphic Design2 hours
BVIS 501Professional Practices in Biomedical Visualization1 hour

Elective courses

BVIS 500Biomedical Visualization Techniques2 hours
BVIS 504Visual Storytelling in Biomedical Visualization2 hours

Required courses

ANAT 441Gross Human Anatomy5 hours
BHIS 499Information Sources in BHIS1 hour
BVIS 505Visual Learning & Visual Thinking I2 hours
BVIS 510Anatomical Visualization3 hours
BVIS 595Seminar in BVIS1 hour

Electives

BVIS 519Modeling I3 hours

Opportunities

 

Resources

You’ll begin your research in the spring by selecting topics and research advisors. Courses in illustration, design, modeling and animation provide you with a solid foundation in visual problem solving and critical thinking.

Required courses

BVIS 503Strategic Inquiry for BVIS (first 8 weeks)3 hours
BVIS 508Pathophysiology for Biomedical Visualization3 hours

At least one of the following:

ANAT 544Advanced Craniofacial Anatomy3 hours
NEUS 403Human Neuroanatomy3 hours
BVIS 560Molecular Pharmacology for Biomedical Visualization3 hours

Elective courses

BVIS 522Illustration Techniques3 hours
BVIS 536Serious Game Development3 hours
BVIS 541Animation I2 hours
BVIS 5513D Printing with Data Segmentation
(2nd 8 weeks)		2 hours
BVIS 594Special Topics in Biomedical Visualization1-3 hours
BVIS 596Independent Study1-4 hours

Opportunities

Required courses

BVIS summer moves fast with most students attending the AMI Annual Conference later in July. Research presentations in BHIS 595 seminar are a highlight of the summer as you’ll complete your research proposal.

BHIS 595Seminar in BHIS1 hour

Elective courses

BVIS 520Modeling II3 hours
BVIS 538Medical Legal Visualization2 hours
BVIS 542Animation II3 hours
BVIS 535Visual Learning & Visual Thinking II2 hours
BVIS 537Advanced Serious Game Development2 hours
BVIS 594Special Topics in Biomedical Visualization1-3 hours
BVIS 596Independent Study1-4 hours

Students agree that the Clinical Sciences course is the highlight of the semester! You’ll complete rotations through various medical specialty departments, looking over shoulders of celebrated UIC physicians and surgeons.

Required courses

BVIS 502Clinical Sciences for BVIS3 hours
BVIS 597Project Research1-3 hours

At least one of these courses

GEMS 521Biomedical Sciences3 hours
NEUS 501Foundations of Neuroscience I3 hours

Electives

ART 4543D Space I: Modeling (Maya)4 hours
BVIS 523Haptics I2 hours
BVIS 539Immersive Interactive Visualization3 hours
BVIS 543Animation III4 hours
BVIS 548Advanced Illustration Techniques3 hours
BVIS 562Advanced Graphic Design3 hours
BVIS 580Practicum in BVIS6-12 hours
BVIS 596Independent Study1-4 hours

Opportunities

Look forward to the completion and presentation of your research! You’ll prepare for professional life after graduate school by gaining valuable insight into business practices and exploring the unique and diverse employment opportunities for which you’ve been prepared.

Required courses

BVIS 575Business Practices3 hours
BVIS 597Project Research1-2 hours

Electives

ANAT 544Advanced Craniofacial Anatomy3 hours
ART 4553D Space II: Animation (Maya)4 hours
BVIS 508Pathophysiology for Biomedical Visualization3 hours
BVIS 530Surgical Illustration4 hours
BVIS 544Animation IV4 hours
BVIS 547360 Animation1 hour
BVIS 580Practicum in BVIS6-12 hours
BVIS 521Modeling III2 hours
BVIS 560Molecular Pharmacology for Biomedical Visualization2 hours
BVIS 596Independent Study1-4 hours
GEMS 515Receptor Pharmacology and Cell Signaling

Prereq: GCLS 501 Biochemistry or approval of the dept.		3 hours
NEUS 502Foundations of Neuroscience II3 hours
NEUS 403Human Neuroanatomy3 hours

Opportunities

  • Enter UIC’s Student Research Forum
  • Enter UIC Image of Research Competition – Deadline usually in late June
  • Register for the Association of Medical Illustrators Annual Conference in July and consider being an onsite student volunteer to defray some cost of your student registration
  • Enter the AMI Student Salon
  • Enter BioCommunications Association Bioimages 2017
  • Upon graduation complete your application for Professional Member status and a free year of membership in the Association of Medical Illustrators. Request a sponsor letter from a Certified Medical Illustrator such as a BVIS faculty member. Apply here »