The Department of Life Sciences Communication (LSC) is a world leader in science communication research, education, and practice. The Graduate Certificate in Science Communication allows students enrolled in any graduate or professional program at UW–Madison to supplement their existing graduate coursework with a transcriptable certificate in science communication. The certificate is appropriate not only for students in the physical sciences, biological sciences, and engineering fields but also for students in professional degree programs (law, veterinary medicine, etc.).
Graduate students interested in the ethical, legal, and social implications of emerging technologies, or who want to build an intellectual foundation for a future career in policy or various mission agencies (e.g., AAAS policy fellowships) dealing with public understanding and communication of science will find this certificate particularly valuable.
More information may be found on the department website.
Admissions
All Graduate School students must utilize the Graduate Student Portal in MyUW to add, change, or discontinue any graduate/professional certificate. To apply to this certificate, log in to MyUW, click on Graduate Student Portal, and then click on Add/Change Programs. Select the information for the certificate for which you are applying.
This certificate is open to any UW-Madison student enrolled in a graduate level program outside of Life Sciences Communications (GRAD, LAW, MED, PHARM, VMED).
Professional students in the careers of Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary cannot add the certificate in the Graduate Student Portal, and should contact the program for more information.
Students are strongly encouraged to contact the academic advising manager or Director of Graduate Studies (see Contact Information box on this page for emails) to discuss course planning.
Students are not allowed to earn both the science communication graduate certificate and doctoral minor in life sciences communication.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. 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.
Requirements
Grade Requirements
Students must meet the following requirements:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher in all Life Sciences Communications courses;
- Enroll in courses numbered 300 or above with the "Grad 50%" attribute.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete the following courses. | ||
| 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 | |
| Electives | ||
| Students must complete two courses from the approved courses: | 6 | |
| Misinformation, Fake News, and Correcting False Beliefs about Science | ||
| Visualizing Science and Technology | ||
| Communicating Science with Narrative | ||
| Social Media for the Sciences | ||
| Brand Strategy for the Sciences | ||
| Digital Media and Science Communication | ||
| Documentary Photography for the Sciences | ||
| Social Media Analytics | ||
| Culturally Responsive Science Communication | ||
| Web Design for the Sciences | ||
| Scientific Writing | ||
| Writing Science for the Public | ||
| Risk Communication | ||
| Data Analysis in Communications Research | ||
| Conceptualization and Design of Mass Communication Research | ||
| Science and Environment Communication | ||
| Strategic Science Communication | ||
| Visual Science Communication | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Public Opinion of Life Science Issues | ||
| Public Understanding of Politicized Science | ||
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Prior Coursework
Credits earned from other institutions or an undergraduate degree at UW-Madison cannot be applied to certificate requirements.
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- 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.