Biomedical Visualization
Degree Requirements
Mailing Address:
Biomedical and Health Information Sciences (MC 530)
1919 West Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612-7249
Campus Location: 250 AHSB
Program Code: 20FS1075MS
Telephone: (312) 996-7337
E-mail: bhis@uic.edu
Web Site: http://www.bhis.uic.edu
Department Head: Dr. Larry Pawola
Director of Graduate Studies: Dr. Larry Pawola
Program Director: John Daugherty
The Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences (BHIS) offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Visualization. Biomedical Visualization is a multidisciplinary field that draws upon and integrates subject matter from a variety of disciplines (e.g. anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, molecular and cell biology, neuroscience, physiology, and surgery, as well as art, graphic design, animation, and computer science). The master’s degree program in Biomedical Visualization is a terminal degree, and is most appropriate for students who wish to apply their knowledge through practice in academic, healthcare, or industry settings. BHIS also offers the online MS in Health Informatics and an online IBHE Post Master Certificate in Health Informatics, in addition to an online postbaccalaureate certificate in Health Information Management (HIM), and an on-campus and online undergraduate bachelor degree in HIM.
Admission Requirements
Applications are considered on an individual basis. Complete transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
Master of Science
- Baccalaureate Field No restrictions. Prior academic work must include general or introductory chemistry, comparative anatomy (or an advanced anatomy course that includes mammalian dissection), and human physiology. Additional science courses must include two or more of the following: biochemistry, cell biology, developmental anatomy (vertebrate embryology), genetics, histology, immunology, molecular biology, neuroanatomy, or pharmacology. One or more courses in 2-D vector, 2-D raster, 3-D modeling, 2-D/3-D animation, interactive or motion media, or computer programming is required. Course work in drawing, life drawing, painting, and digital imaging is highly recommended. Course work in sculpture is recommended for applicants interested in anaplastology. Course work in computer programming is recommended for applicants interested in interactive media.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study and for all cumulative graduate work previously taken.
- Tests Required GRE General Test that includes Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing assessment. Preference will be given to applicants with a combined Quantitative and Verbal score above 300 (revised General Test) or 1100 (former General Test). Test scores are required for all but applicants with a graduate or professional degree at the master’s and doctoral level (e.g., MS, MA, MFA, PhD, ScD, MD, DDS, DO, DrPH, PharmD) from an accredited U.S. or Canadian school. Applicants with the above stated degree from foreign schools whose application processes are sponsored by an accepted referral services, such as AFGRAD or AMIDEAST, are considered.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL If the applicant has taken the paper-based TOEFL, minimum scores in the range of 585–600 will be considered; in addition, the applicant must take the Test of Written English and submit scores in the range of 5–6. Applicants taking the iBT Internet-based TOEFL must have a minimum score of 95, with subscores of Reading 24, Listening 22, Speaking 24, and Writing 24. OR
- IELTS 7.0, with subscores of 6.5 for all four subscores.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required from instructors or employers using Graduate College forms.
- Personal Statement The statement should address the applicant’s goals for graduate study and career development.
- Other Requirements A personal interview with departmental faculty is required. Additionally, a portfolio review by departmental faculty is required. A portfolio of twenty original images must be submitted. The twenty original images must include six full-figure drawings (not paintings) from the nude model that include gestures, short poses and long poses; one hand drawing; one portrait drawing; one black and white tone composition from observation using the basic forms of cube, cone, cylinder, pyramid, and sphere; one still life drawing or painting in color that includes both organic and geometric forms which demonstrates form, volume, texture, and convincing spatial relationships. These ten images must be created from direct observation, not photographic references. The additional ten images may include general drawing (pages from sketchbooks encouraged), figure drawing, color media, digital media, graphic design, and sculpture. Medical subject matter images are discouraged.
- Deadlines The application deadline for this program is earlier than the Graduate College deadline; contact the program for information on current deadlines.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
Master of Science
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 46–49.
- Course Work Required Core Courses: ANAT 441; BHIS 405, 499, 500, and 595; BVIS 502, 505, 510, 518, 552, 575, 595, and at least one of the following: BVIS 560; GCLS 501, 502, 503; or NEUS 501.
- Selectives: 10 hours from among ANAT/OSCI 544; ART 452, 453, 454, 455, 457; BVIS 500, 519, 520, 522, 530, 532, 535, 538, 541, 542, 543, 544, 546, 548, 554, 555, 562, 580, 594, 596; CS 426; GCLS 515; IE 494; NEUS 403, 502; and PCOL 540. Additional courses may be taken with approval of advisor and instructor if in another college.
- Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis or project required. No other options are available.
- Thesis: Students must earn at least 7 hours in BVIS 598.
- Project: Students must earn at least 4 hours in BVIS 597.
- Other Requirements Continuous Registration: Students who have completed all degree requirements except the thesis/project must register for zero credit hours to maintain continuous registration.
