New Scientific Imaging Program Launched at Tri-C West

Cuyahoga Community College leads the way in preparing today's imaging professionals by introducing a new program in the discipline of Scientific Imaging at its Western Campus in Parma. Graduates of the associate's degree program in Scientific Imaging will be prepared to work as scientific imaging technicians in fields such as medicine, forensics, science and engineering, even the military and aerospace.

Scientific imaging combines the disciplines of spectroscopy, electronics, mathematics, chemistry, physics and psychology to analyze images digitally. Medicine has been at the forefront in the use of digital images in the areas of research, biomedicine and biotechnology, but the criminal justice and forensic science fields are increasingly utilizing the techniques of scientific imaging.

As an example of the utilization of scientific imaging in forensics, when in 2000 the historic 1950's Sam Shepard murder case was reopened, scientific image technology was brought into play. Forensic photographers at the Cuyahoga County Coroner's Office, trained in scientific imaging technology by Tri-C and University of Akron professors, helped to unravel blood spatter evidence. Original photographs of blood splatters on the walls at the murder scene were not valid since they were recorded at oblique angles. Through the use of precise, scientific digital imaging technology these images were digitized and then de-skewed to appear undistorted. These undistorted images were then utilized to provide new and valuable forensic data in the retrial.

Research scientists at the nationally renowned Cleveland Clinic Foundation continue to recognize a great need for technicians in the area of scientific imaging. As northeast Ohio continues to maintain its position as a national leader in areas of high technology, medicine, engineering, space exploration, forensics and the arts, scientific imagers will continue to be in demand.

Cuyahoga Community College is not only a pioneer of a scientific imaging degree program in the Greater Cleveland area, but in the country as well. Some two-year colleges offer digital imaging technologies courses with an emphasis on publishing and graphics, but not on scientific technology. Few four-year programs feature elements of scientific imaging. In such programs, imaging commonly plays a secondary role to chemistry, physics and research. Cuyahoga Community College is one of the few educational institutions placing people in the scientific imaging field and recognizing the demand for technicians.

The new Scientific Imaging program will draw upon existing courses available at Tri-C's Western Campus, such as General Psychology, Introduction to Criminal Justice, and Intermediate Algebra, and new courses including Practices and Procedures in Scientific Imaging, Image Analysis and Professional Ethics and Scientific Imaging Practices.

The program will be accepting students in January 2005 as part of the Visual Communications and Design program (VisCom) at Tri-C's Western Campus. Built in 2001, VisCom provides an environment to build a learning community that encourages exploration of new technology, collaboration and creative thinking. The center is home to degree majors in Interactive Media, Photography, Digital Publishing, Illustration, Graphic Design, and Advertising Design.

(06.12.2004)

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