Elective Curriculum
Students enrolled in the MScBMC program will choose one of two foci in their second year, which will shape the type of Masters Research Project (MRP) they complete. Students will register for electives specific to their chosen field of study by the end of the summer of their first year. Electives are organized based on either a linear storytelling model (Visualization Design Field) or a non-linear model (Media Design Field), although there is some overlap between approaches, and students should consult with their MRP supervisor for recommendations. Additional electives may be chosen from MScBMC offerings, or from graduate courses offered elsewhere at the University. Each student must complete a total of 4 electives.
Biomedical Visualization Design Field Courses
MSC2015H Interpretive Visualization: Cinematic Design and Preproduction
When: Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., September 7 to November 30, 2023
Instructor: Nicholas Woolridge
This 40-hour course addresses the fundamental principles of film design and preproduction. The course goal is to allow students to explore the nature of cinematic storytelling in science, and to develop and refine the visualization design of their Master’s Research Project. Students will complete a series of assignments that will result in a portfolio of documents (including overview, treatment, and script) and media (including concept art, storyboards, and an animatic) that will allow them to clearly plan for the production phase of their cinematic designs in the second term. Marking will occur twice in the course: first, for the formal presentation of a finalized film storyboard; and second, upon submission of a completed animatic, along with a portfolio of film preproduction documents (treatment, script, concept art, etc.).
Prerequisites: MSC1001Y, MSC2001Y, MSC2003Y, MSC2005H
MSC2017H Visualization Technology
When: Mondays, 6 to 9 p.m., January 8 to April 15, 2024
Instructor: Peter Leynes
In this course students will learn to create a 3D animation using Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects. The focus is on clarity of communication in this linear narrative form, cinematography, and technical execution and workflow in the production process.
Prerequisites: MSC1001Y, MSC2001Y, MSC2003Y, MSC2005H
Biomedical Media Design Field Courses
MSC2008H Community-Centred Design Research
When: Tuesdays, 2 to 5 p.m., September 5 to November 28, 2023
Instructor: Shehryar Saharan
This course focuses on the design of audience-specific interactive digital media and is organized around three key themes: (1) the user-centered design process; (2) interaction design principles, patterns, and best practices; and (3) designing for specific technological contexts. Throughout the term, you will have an opportunity to iteratively improve and document your Master’s Research Project (MRP) design solutions. These documents will guide MRP development in MSC2006H.
Prerequisites: MSC1001Y, MSC2001Y, MSC2003Y, MSC2005H
MSC2006H Advanced Media Design Technologies
When: Fridays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., January 12 to April 5, 2024
Instructor: Michael Corrin
This 36 hour elective credit course builds on the principles presented in MSC2003Y - Technology in Biomedical Communications – introductory. Students explore high-performance visualization and/or human-computer interaction as it applies to instructional technology and research. The visual and research material produced becomes part of the student’s master’s research project and therefore is evaluated for its effectiveness in medical and health communication.
Prerequisites: MSC1001Y, MSC2001Y, MSC2003Y, MSC2008H
Other Courses
In addition to the following electives, students can source graduate courses from other University of Toronto graduate units. These courses should be reviewed and approved by the MScBMC director, and should not conflict with the student’s BMC curriculum. Some courses may require approval from the home unit and/or faculty member. Please see the SGS calendar.
MSC2013Y Master’s Research EVALUATION Paper
When: Weekly, at times agreed upon by student and faculty member
The Master’s Research Project (MRP) Evaluation Paper course provides students with the opportunity to design and conduct a research study in Biomedical Communications and write a research paper. Students will work with their MRP supervisor or a committee member to learn how to develop a study using experimental, design research or other methods, write a research ethics proposal, collect quantitative and/or qualitative data, and perform data analyses. The evaluation paper builds on student’s MRP proposal, i.e. the introduction, literature review, and visual research problem sections, and includes the reporting of study results and discussion, highlighting the significance of results and reflections on visual design strategies, technique and technical aspects of the creation process, and outcomes. Students are encouraged to keep a Reflective Design Journal from the beginning of their MRP to incorporate in the evaluation paper. On completion of the MRP evaluation paper, students should consider opportunities for scholarly publication.
Prerequisites: MSC1001Y, MSC2001Y, MSC2003Y, MSC2005H, MSC2020H
MSC2011H Special Topics in Biomedical Communications
When: Weekly, at times agreed upon by student and faculty member
This course is designed to cover emergent issues in the field of Biomedical Communications (BMC). It provides MScBMC students with course time necessary to explore areas not covered in the MScBMC curriculum. Topics suitable for this course will change from year to year. The course may include topics such as: independent reading assignments in museum studies (e.g. designing a diorama for a museum exhibit); emerging technology issues such as an original application of software not taught in the MScBMC curriculum; working in areas of scientific illustration not taught in the MScBMC curriculum such as Ichthyology or Entomology.
Prerequisites: MSC1001Y, MSC2001Y, MSC2003Y
MSC2014H Fundamentals of scripting for health science communication
When: Not offered
An introduction to the fundamentals of scripting for students planning to use scripting in visual media design fields. The course will emphasize the acquisition of practical skills. Using JavaScript, students will be introduced to scripting fundamentals like data types, control flow structures, structuring data with arrays and objects, functions and document object models. Students will learn how to use scripts to automate workflows and generate graphics in several image generation tools such as Web browsers; and raster and vector image manipulation applications.
Prerequisites: None
MSC2022H Graphic Medicine Seminar
When: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., January 9 to April 2, 2024
Instructor: Shelley Wall
The last decades have witnessed a new interest in comics and graphic novels. As a creative medium, the comics form has produced groundbreaking accomplishments while it has gained greater cultural visibility, critical interest, and intellectual credibility. During the same period, there has been growing awareness on the part of medical and nursing practitioners, patients and families, researchers, educators, and literary and cultural studies scholars that the graphic narrative form offers important resources for the communication of a range of issues within medicine and science. “Graphic medicine” is a term often used to describe the growing body of creative work (graphic novels, webcomics, and hybrid forms) that deals with issues of illness and caregiving from the perspectives of patients, family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals. At the same time, visual narratives have been increasingly used in the communication of basic science for public outreach.
In this course, students will become familiar with major works of graphic medicine, science comics, and key theoretical texts related to sequential art. As a major project, students will develop their own graphic narrative on a medical or scientific theme.
Prerequisites: None