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Foundations of 3D Biomedical Animation

Learn the fundamentals of 3D biomedical animation, focusing on techniques for creating medical and scientific visualisations.
Next Dates
On-going
Duration
5 hours
Delivery mode
Online
Price (AUD inc. GST)
$100 - $195
Spots remaining
AVAILABLE
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Course summary

Build Skills in 3D Biomedical Animation

This short course provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of 3D biomedical animation. You'll learn key techniques for creating visually compelling medical and scientific visuals, helping to bring complex concepts to life.

Ideal for beginners, this course guides you to create accurate, engaging animations for educational and professional applications in the biomedical field.

Price

Total fees
$100 - $195
AUD inc. GST

Who will benefit

  • Aspiring science communicators, medical illustrators and beginners with a background in science or art and design
  • Individuals looking to expand their skill set by learning how to create accurate and engaging 3D biomedical animations, enabling them to effectively communicate complex scientific visualisation through storytelling

Course is suitable for

  • Aspiring science communicators seeking to enhance their skills in conveying complex science to diverse audiences
  • Professionals with a background in science or art and design who want to enhance their communication skills

Delivered by experts

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John McGhee
Professor - ADA
  • Director and Founder of the award-winning UNSW 3DXLab
  • A leader in academic research that explores arts-led and design-led approaches to visualising complex 3D scientific data

About the course

3D animation is changing the way we visualise complex science

As our understanding of health and disease advances, so does the need for clear, accurate visual representation. 3D biomedical animations are a powerful tool for explaining complex biological concepts to diverse audiences. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted their importance in educating the public and raising awareness.

In this course, you'll explore a COVID-19 animation by 3DXLab to learn the full pipeline for creating effective 3D biomedical animations, guiding you through the process to start your own project.

Why enrol in this course

Hands-On Learning with Real-World Examples

Explore a COVID-19 animation created by 3DXLab and follow a structured pipeline to plan, design and develop your own biomedical animation project.

Bridge the Gap Between Science and Art

Combine scientific knowledge with artistic techniques to produce animations that communicate complex biological concepts with clarity and impact.

Learn from Experts at 3DXLab

Gain insights from leading researchers and practitioners in biomedical visualisation, learning industry-standard techniques used in real-world applications.

Flexible and accessible

Our online course format allows you to learn at your own pace, from anywhere, at any time.

"This course is a lot of fun! Even if you’re not interested in animating, I highly recommend it to all scientists. It’s incredibly interesting to learn about the process and how to effectively communicate science in an engaging yet accurate way."

Sonia Goozee | PhD Science Student

Key features

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3D animation process overview

Explore key steps in creating biomedical animations, from research to production and sharing.

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Case study: Soap vs COVID-19

Examine this real-world project to learn how research, scripting and audience targeting shape animations.

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Insights from industry experts

Hear from top professionals as they share practical tips and creative guidance.

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Beginner-friendly and flexible

No experience needed, learn at your own pace and build strong 3D animation foundations.

Learning outcomes

Leverage new skills to gain a competitive edge

By the end of the course, you will demonstrate a basic understanding of the processes involved in creating a 3D biomedical animation, from concept to final product. You will also be able to identify the key stages of the production pipeline and the processes used to bring a biomedical animation to life, equipping you with the foundational knowledge to begin creating your own animations in the future.

What you'll learn

You’ll learn the full pipeline of creating 3D biomedical animations, from research to final production. You’ll cover:

  • Researching and designing your animation story
  • Working with molecular models from the Protein Data Bank (PDB)
  • Best practices for 3D CGI lighting, texturing, rendering, animation, and shot composition
  • Approaching sound design and disseminating your final animation

Topics covered

  • An introduction to 3D Biomedical Animation
  • Defining the scientific story
  • Pre-production
  • Production
  • Dissemination and the future of the field

Course delivery

Format

Commitment

Delivery

Method

  • 100% online; learn at your own pace and around your own schedule
  • 5 hours
  • Online platform, featuring video lectures, activities and topic-related readings
  • Self-paced learning with flexible module progression
  • Project-based learning through a personal interest project
  • Case study analysis using the 3DXLab's COVID-19 animation
  • Expert insights from industry professionals

Schedule

This course is delivered 100% online in a flexible, self-paced format - allowing you to learn at your own speed, on your own schedule. With approximately 5 hours of total commitment, you'll work through five engaging modules that include pre-recorded lectures, interactive activities, quizzes and curated readings. Designed for asynchronous study, the course enables you to build your skills anytime, anywhere, without fixed class times or deadlines.

Credentials

Advance your career with recognised credentials

This course is designed to support your professional growth and upskilling, equipping you with practical knowledge and in-demand skills. Upon successful completion, you will receive a UNSW certificate of completion and a digital badge. These credentials can be shared with your professional network to highlight your achievement and commitment to continuous learning.

Continue your learning journey with UNSW Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture

Explore a wide range of courses across our six schools and six research centres, each offering opportunities to deepen your knowledge and expand your skills. At UNSW Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture, we are committed to progress that benefits everyone. From innovative design in healthcare to building sustainable cities and promoting equal access to education, our work has real-world impact. Our diverse disciplines empower you to develop unique, career-ready capabilities. You will be encouraged to think differently about people, places and cultures, and to drive meaningful change in the world around you.

Next steps

To enrol in the Foundations of 3D Biomedical Animation, please register below.