Objectives

• Raising awareness of the importance of Scientific Illustration in scientific production and productivity, and therefore, in the effectiveness of the process of Science Communication between peers in its different phases and contexts, and in the development of Science in general;

• Training in the area of Scientific Illustration, namely with regard to its different domains, formats and illustration techniques;

• Promoting the exchange of ideas/illustrations between scientists and illustrators at the University of Porto, as a way of fostering publications in Science at the UP;

Target audience

The course is aimed at anyone interested in Scientific Illustration and wishing to pursue a career in the field - whether in conjunction with research work in the area of Natural Sciences, science dissemination and editorial application - or simply to develop their skills in the subject, whether for professional needs or personal taste.

 

Admission requirements

Holders of a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate degree may apply to attend the Specialization Course in Scientific Illustration - Illustration in Natural Sciences at the University of Porto, as well as other candidates who have already demonstrated merit in the area of Scientific Illustration.

Candidates may also apply for individual Course Units of this same Course.

 

Selection and Ranking Criteria

If the number of candidates exceeds the clausus number (15), there will be an evaluation and ranking process, to be conducted by the members of the Scientific Committee. This will be carried out in two stages - pre-selection and final selection - and will take into account the following aspects: 

• Pre-selection:

  • Candidate's availability and motivation – to be assessed by submitting a “Letter of Motivation” (1 A4 page) submitted in PDF format (relative weight in the final weighting: 25%);

  • Candidate's merit - assessed based on the portfolio, consisting of 4 to 8 submitted illustrations (in Zip or PDF file, with A4 illustrations, scanned at 200 dpi, and with a maximum of 10 Mb/portfolio (relative weight in the final weighting: 50%));

  • Curriculum Vitae - previous attendance of Scientific Illustration Training Courses and previous participation in Scientific Illustration Exhibition Projects and other initiatives in some way related to Scientific Illustration will be valued (relative weight in the final weighting: 25%).

A list of provisional results will be produced from the pre-selection assessment.

 

• Final selection:

The pre-selected candidates will be interviewed (Preliminary Hearing) with members of the Scientific Committee, from which the final list of selected candidates who may attend the course in that academic year will be drawn.

 

• The interview aims to assess the candidates':

  • The practice of illustration (relative weight in the final weighting: 25%). final weighting: 25%);

  • The level of knowledge about scientific illustration in the natural sciences (relative weighting in the final weighting: 25%);

  • The communication and teamwork skills appropriate to the course (relative weighting in the final weighting: 25%);

  • The preparation to collaborate, as an illustrator, in multidisciplinary teams in the field of research and science dissemination (relative weighting in the final weighting: 25%)

 

Duration

1 Year / 2 semesters

 

Regimen

Daytime / In-person

 

Withdrawal from the course

Withdrawal from attendance up to 2 working days before the start of the non-degree course implies the payment of 50% of the tuition fee; after that date, the full amount is due.

The student may request to withdraw from the course by submitting an application to the Director of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto.

 

 

Information

• Entry Deadlines 2025-2026

Contacts

Docente Responsável:	Maria João Santos
Educação Contínua:	formacao.continua@fc.up.pt

General information

Study Plan

Involved Organic Units

Certificates

Predominant Scientific Areas