Science Communication

Kresge Annex A
(831) 459-4475
http://scicom.ucsc.edu

Faculty | Program Statement

Upper-Division Courses

160. Introduction to Science Writing. S
A rigorous examination and practice of the skills involved in writing articles about science, health, technology, and the environment for the general public. Covers the essential elements of news writing and explanatory journalism, including developing a story idea, interviewing scientists, fact checking, composition, and editing of multiple drafts about scientific research. (Also offered as Biology:Ecology & Evolutionary 188. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and C1, C2 requirements. Enrollment restricted to junior and senior physical and biological sciences majors. Enrollment limited to 18. (General Education Code(s): W.) R. Irion

199. Tutorial. F,W,S
Students submit petition to sponsoring agency. The Staff

199F. Tutorial (2 credits). F,W,S
Students submit petition to sponsoring agency. The Staff

Graduate Courses

201A. Reporting and Writing Science News. F
A survey of the conventions of newspaper journalism and the special application of those conventions to scientific and technological subjects. Enrollment restricted to graduate students formally accepted into the writing track of the Science Communication Program. R. Irion

201B. The Science Feature. W
A survey of selected feature articles in the current national science magazines, with attention to strategy, level of complexity, explanation technique, and style. Writing assignments include a publishable feature article. Enrollment restricted to graduate students formally accepted into the writing track of the Science Communication Program. R. Irion

201C. Profile and Essay Writing. W
A survey of science and nature profiles and essays. Purpose, content, form, and style are considered. Writing assignments include original profiles and essays on current issues in science, technology, and society. (Formerly The Science Essay.) Enrollment restricted to graduate students formally accepted into the writing track of the Science Communication Program. E. Strauss

201D. Policy and Investigative Reporting. S
Rigorous examination of techniques for reporting topics where science and technology meet public policy and society. Covers essential skills of investigative reporting, including obtaining documents through Public Records Act requests, using online reporting resources, and writing about ethical and legal issues. Enrollment restricted to graduate students formally accepted into the writing track of the Science Communication Program. P. Aldhous, M. Mendoza

201E. Multimedia Science News. S
Introduces web-media tools for reporting science stories and enhancing coverage for broad audiences, including video packages, narrated slideshows, podcasts, blogs, and still photography. Laboratory sections address skills for handling equipment and online editing. Enrollment restricted to graduate students formally accepted into the writing track of the Science Communication Program. M. Miller, R. Irion

202. Writing and Editing Workshop. F
Theory and practice of writing and editing articles on scientific, medical, environmental, and technological subjects for newspapers, magazines, and special publications directed at non-technical readers. Enrollment restricted to graduate students formally accepted into the writing track of the Science Communication Program. May be repeated for credit. K. Mclaughlin, M. Desjardins

297. Independent Study. F,W,S
A media internship is completed with faculty tutorial assistance, to satisfy a need for the student when a regular course is not available. Enrollment restricted to graduate students formally accepted into the writing track of the Science Communication Program. May be repeated for credit. The Staff

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Revised: 09/01/15