COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Medical Illustration at Rochester Institute of Technology is a highly interdisciplinary program that combines fine arts, digital design, and biomedical science to train students to visually communicate complex medical and scientific information. The curriculum is carefully structured to build both artistic skill and scientific understanding over four years, preparing students for careers in medical, educational, and scientific visualization fields. In the first year, students focus on foundational art and science courses such as drawing, 2D and 3D design, and human biology with laboratory work, alongside general education writing and introductory university experience courses. These courses help students develop strong observational and technical drawing skills while gaining basic knowledge of human biology. In the second year, the curriculum advances into more specialized areas including figure drawing, human anatomy and physiology, anatomical illustration, and computer applications in medical illustration. Students also begin exploring 4D design and professional electives, while continuing general education in ethics, social studies, and global perspectives. The third year becomes more intensive and professional, with major coursework in human gross anatomy, anatomical illustration, 3D modeling of organic forms, animation, and scientific visualization. Students also complete studio electives and art history studies, along with immersion courses that expand their academic depth. In the final year, students focus on advanced professional practice through courses such as surgical illustration, contemporary media, portfolio development, and business practices, along with additional studio and elective courses. The program culminates in a strong portfolio designed to prepare students for employment in healthcare, research institutions, publishing, and scientific communication industries. Across 124 credit hours, students integrate artistic mastery with advanced medical knowledge, enabling them to create accurate visual representations of human anatomy, surgical procedures, and biological processes.