Formal Education and Training for Scientific Illustrators:
Colleges and Universities
high school preparation | undergraduate programs | graduate programs | certificate programs | informal programs
Undergraduate:
Undergraduate programs should include studio art classes (watercolor painting, figure drawing, graphic design), art history, and science (including biology, anatomy, chemistry, physiology, histology). If pursuing a graduate degree in science illustration, the undergraduate program should include foreign language studies and your science courses need to be at a pre-med level. Give consideration to whether the university has a "co-op" program, in which you can gain experience (and college credit) while working within the art community. That will help you to develop your resume. Also give consideration, in your selection of studio art classes, to your portfolio and which classes lend themselves to projects to add to your portfolio.
Iowa State University
Biological/Pre-Medical Illustration
Lamar Dodd School of Art
BFA with interdisciplinary certificate in Scientific Illustration
Rochester Institute of Technology
BFA, Medical Illustration major
University of Birmingham
Certificate of Higher Education in Botanical Illustration
University of Michigan
BFA
The University of Washington
Scientific Illustration
Interested in pursuing a career in scientific illustration?
The Guild Handbook of Scientific Illustration is a great resource, providing instruction on techniques, information about materials, and more.
Another classic for scientific illustrators is Phyllis Wood's Scientific Illustration.