
This certificate is open to any UW-Madison student enrolled in a graduate level program outside of LSC (GRAD, LAW, MED, PHARM, VMED). Before applying to the certificate, students are encouraged to consult with their advisor and/or graduate program coordinator from their major department. As part of the declaration form, students will be required to confirm that they have received consent from their advisor/degree program to pursue the certificate.
For students to declare their intent to pursue the Graduate Certificate in Science Communication, they must complete the Certificate Declaration Form. This form must be completed prior to graduation.
Students should contact the Director of Academic Programs or Student Services Coordinator with questions about the certificate, declaration process, or course selection.
Students are not allowed to earn both the science communication graduate certificate and Ph.D. minor in life sciences communication.
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
- Total credits required: 10
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in all LSC courses
- Courses must be at the 300 level or above and must have the graduate attribute to count toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) rule.
- Previous coursework from other institutions and undergraduate coursework at UW-Madison cannot be counted toward the certificate.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | 4 | |
LSC 700 | Colloquium in Life Sciences Communication | 1 |
LSC 720 | Introduction to Communication Theory and Research | 3 |
or LSC 625 | Risk Communication | |
or LSC/ENVIR ST/JOURN 823 | Science and Environment Communication | |
or LSC 902 | Public Opinion of Life Science Issues | |
Select two approved electives | 6 | |
LSC 350 | Visualizing Science and Technology | 3 |
LSC 430 | Communicating Science with Narrative | 3 |
LSC 432 | Social Media for the Life Sciences | 3 |
LSC 435 | Theory and Practice of Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 |
LSC 440 | Contemporary Communication Technologies and Their Social Effects | 3 |
LSC 532 | Web Design for the Sciences | 3 |
LSC 560 | Scientific Writing | 3 |
LSC 561 | Writing Science for the Public | 3 |
LSC 625 | Risk Communication | 3 |
LSC 660 | Data Analysis in Communications Research | 3 |
LSC/ENVIR ST/JOURN 823 | Science and Environment Communication | 3 |
LSC 875 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
LSC 902 | Public Opinion of Life Science Issues | 3 |
Total Credits | 10 |
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
- Communicate complex ideas effectively across different audiences, including underrepresented or particularly vulnerable audiences.
- Select and utilize the most appropriate theories, methodologies, tools, and practices to communicate about science.
- Collect relevant evidence designed to answer questions related to scientific challenges faced by industry, universities, and non-profits.
- Discuss some of the ethical, legal, and social implications of science.