University of Southern Indiana

What you'll study

This programme blends courses in human anatomy and physiology, visual communication and digital media with informatics topics such as health data standards, electronic health record systems and clinical workflow analysis. Early years focus on foundational skills: observational drawing, digital imaging, basic anatomy, introductory programming and statistics. Later years emphasise advanced medical illustration techniques (3D modelling, animation, surgical illustration), health information architecture, interoperability (standards such as HL7 and DICOM), user-centred design for clinical interfaces, and applied data visualisation for patient care and research.

• Core visual modules: anatomical illustration, medical photography, 3D modelling and rendering, animation for health education, visual storytelling for science.
• Core informatics modules: introduction to informatics, clinical systems and workflows, health data management, standards and interoperability, healthcare analytics and data visualisation.
• Supporting modules: medical terminology, ethics and law in healthcare, statistics for health sciences, user experience (UX) design, programming for data processing.
• Capstone and practical experience: an industry-linked capstone project or practicum with healthcare organisations, creating a professional portfolio of clinical illustrations and informatics projects.

Entry requirements

Entry to the bachelor programme normally requires a secondary school diploma or equivalent with strong performance in science and art subjects. Applicants are typically asked to provide a portfolio demonstrating observational and digital art skills; examples should include anatomical studies, life drawing or digital imaging work where possible. Basic competence in mathematics (algebra/statistics) and familiarity with computers is expected. Mature applicants with relevant workplace experience are considered. International applicants will need to meet the University’s English language requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates are well placed for careers at the intersection of visual communication and health technology. Common roles include medical illustrator for hospitals, publishers and medical device companies; biomedical visualisation specialist creating 3D models and animations for education and surgery planning; clinical or health informatics analyst working on electronic records, data visualisation and decision support; UX designer for healthcare applications; and patient education developer producing accessible clinical graphics and multimedia.

Other options include academic or museum work, freelance illustration and consultancy, roles in medical communications and marketing, and positions with health technology vendors where visualisation of complex data aids product development and clinical adoption. The programme’s practicum and capstone experience also support transition into internships and entry-level positions within regional healthcare networks and medical research groups.

Why study at University of Southern Indiana

The University of Southern Indiana emphasises hands-on, interdisciplinary learning in a supportive campus environment with small class sizes and close faculty supervision. Students benefit from collaboration across art, computing and health professions departments, access to specialised labs and digital media facilities, and opportunities for placements with local hospitals, clinics and companies in the region. The University's career services and alumni network help connect students with internships and employers, while a capstone project ensures graduates leave with a professional portfolio demonstrating both illustrative skill and applied informatics competence.