Training the renaissance medical illustrator

The professional training of the medical illustration student has been a subject of controvery for the last few years. Curricula of the schools accredited by the Association of Medical Illustrators have, to varying degrees, undergone change due to new demands on the practicing illustrator. The curriculum in Biomedical Illustration at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas attempts to balance time-proven courses with contemporary problem-solving approaches to the training of the medical illustrator. This paper reflects the history, philosophy and methods of implementation of the course of study leading to the M.A. degree in Biomedical Communication at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas.