Science and Environmental Writing is a suitable major for students who enjoy writing and who want a specialty beyond general journalism, particularly if they have an interest in science, the environment, technology, medicine, health, social science, or related disciplines. This major partners well with programs in Environmental Studies, or Health, Medicine and Society. In junior or senior year, students have the opportunity to expand their skills by completing field research. By studying Science and Environmental Writing, students have the opportunity to concentrate in one or two science subjects, or take a broader variety of science courses compared to the journalism major.
Students who are majoring in science or engineering often find that double-majoring in Science and Environmental Writing or minoring in it gives them skills and knowledge that makes them competitors in their careers. The skills and knowledge gained from science and environmental writing courses prepare students for employment or graduate studies with concentration on research, critical thinking, and writing skills. Various graduate programs selected by former students include those in science, journalism, science writing, social studies of science, and law.
The Major
Core Courses
Jour 1 Brown & White (1)
Jour 2 Brown & White (1)
OR Jour 231 Science Writing Practicum (1)
Jour 123 or 311 Basic Science and Technical Writing (4)
OR Jour 21 Writing for the Media (4)
Jour 124 Politics of Science (4)
Jour 125 Environment, the Public and the Media (4)
Jour 323 Health and Environmental Controversies (4)
OR Senior Seminar: a journalism or communication course at the 300 level (4)
Jour 361 Internship (4)
Subtotal: 22
Journalism or Communication Courses
Jour 23 Editing (4)
Jour 24 Visual Communication (4)
Jour 298 Writing for the Media II (4)
One other journalism or communication course (4)
Subtotal: 16
Total required credits: 38
Collateral Requirements
A minimum of 16 credits in the physical, biological, environmental or social sciences or engineering is required. These hours can be concentrated in any one area or distributed among all five areas, although an area concentration is recommended. Dual majors in Science and Environmental Writing and a science are encouraged. Science courses should be chosen in consultation with the major adviser. Math 12, Basic Statistics, is the preferred math course for this major, however, calculus will be accepted.