Biological/Premedical Illustration (BPM I)

www.bpmi.iastate.edu
(Interdepartmental Undergraduate Program)
Program Committee: Warren D. Dolphin, Chair; Dean Biechler, C. Arthur Croyle, John Dorn, Steven M. Herrnstadt, Harry Horner, Don Sakaguchi. Ex officio: Jennifer Owens

Undergraduate Study

The interdepartmental undergraduate BPM I major is designed for students who want to combine their interests and aptitudes in science and art. Based on the theme of "communicating science through art," the major prepares students for careers in biological illustration or for graduate education in medical illustration elsewhere. Graduates enter fields such as biocommunications, environmental display design, free-lance illustration, museum display design, and various careers in the publishing industry.

Entrance into the BPM I program is by application to the BPM I Advisory Committee. Eligibility is based on an academic standard of at least 2.00 CGPA on 30 credits of university level work and a consideration of artistic ability as demonstrated through submission of a portfolio of representative drawings or other art work. Freshman and transfer students usually declare pre-BPM I as their major while satisfying the conditions for entrance into the major, although other majors can be declared.

To earn the B.A. degree offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students must complete the general education requirements in that college and take at least 42 credits in design and 32 credits in the biological sciences. Design courses include: Art 130 and 230, ArtDP 233, 238, and 330, BPM I 326, 327, 336, 337, 494, and 497 plus 12 credits chosen from a list of approved upper level courses in art and design. Biological science courses include: Biol 102, 201, 201L, 202, 202L; Bot 306 or 404 or 505; Zool 155, 320, and at least 12 credits chosen from a list of approved biological science courses. Students must earn a grade of C– or better in all art and science courses included in the major and must earn an overall GPA of 2.00 in both categories. A brochure is available in 201 Bessey Hall that gives a detailed listing of the requirements.

English Proficiency Requirement. Students must earn a minimum of C in both English 104 and 105 or equivalent composition courses and in one advanced writing course numbered Engl 302 through 316, excluding 310.

Students in BPM I must complete a senior project or an internship experience in which they design and produce artwork that is suitable for publication or public display.

A minor in biological illustration is offered. A minimum of 17 credits must be taken, including 8 credits in biological science courses and 9 credits in art and design courses. The biological sciences must include Biol 201, 201L, 202, 202L. The art and design courses must include ArtVS 336 and 337, and an advanced drawing or painting course. For more information, contact the chair of the BPM I Advisory Committee in 201 Bessey Hall.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students

BPM I 326. Introduction to Illustration (Same as ArtIS 326.)
See Art and Design.

BPM I 327. Illustration as Communication and Interpretive Expression (Same as ArtIS 327.)
See Art and Design.

BPM I 336. Biological Illustration Principles and Techniques (Same as ArtIS 336.)
(0-6) Cr. 3 each time taken, maximum of 6. F. Prereq: 6 credits in art and design and 3 credits in biological sciences. Studio basics and fundamentals of traditional biological rendering techniques. Emphasis on tools and materials.

BPM I 337. Application of Biological Illustration Techniques (Same as ArtIS 337.)
(0-6). Cr. 3 each time taken, maximum of 6. S. Prereq: 336. Rendering techniques applied to different types of biological subject matter including computer applications. Term project required.

BPM I 395. Field Illustration
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken, maximum of 6. S.SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor. A combination seminar and field trip course emphasizing nature interpretation, field sketching techniques and preparation of a final illustration based on field experience.

BPM I 398. Cooperative Education
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the program cooperative education coordinator, junior classification. Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for these courses prior to commencing each work period.

BPM I 435I. Illustrating Nature I. Sketching (Same as Ia LL 435I.)
See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

BPM I 436I. Illustrating Nature II. Photography (Same as Ia LL 436I.)
See Iowa Lakeside Laboratory.

BPM I 490. Independent Study
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken, maximum of 3. Prereq: Written approval of instructor and advisory committee chair on required form in advance of semester of enrollment.

BPM I 494. Special Topics in Illustration
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. Intensive exploration of illustration techniques in a studio or field setting.

BPM I 497. Illustration Internship
Cr. 1 to 6 each time taken, maximum of 6. Prereq: Junior or senior classification in BPMI, written approval of supervising instructor and advisory committee chair on required form in advance of semester of enrollment. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.