Miriam, thank you for your update re improvements at UIC campus.  Another
possible source for scientific illustration in the Chicago area is the Field
Museum. Sometimes they offer adult ed type classes in specific areas of sci
illus. If Zbignew Jastrebski offers a class I recommend it as one can work at
one's own level with this excellent teacher.  And if you are so motivated,
Field Museum is a fine drawing lab for independent work. Staff was always
friendly whenever I sketched there. These suggestions are kind of seat of the
pants as education goes, but the motivated will always find a way to learn
what they feel they need to know.  :-)  Joan