Public Communication of Science and Technology Certificate

Return to: Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

Writing plays a crucial role in the lives of people after they leave college as they work, volunteer, attend professional schools, and advocate for themselves and others. The Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Certificate is designed for science- and technology-oriented students in any major who understand the value of being able to communicate their research outside their own narrow field, who know that they will need to convince others to support their research, and who anticipate that they will need to communicate the implications of their research to the public. It will also serve students who want to pursue a career as a writer in science and technical fields.

Students will use the knowledge and abilities taught in this certificate in a variety of fields: to convey the significance of research to the public, grantors, institutions, and colleagues; to educate as part of the mission for public service institutions, such as museums and science centers; to craft messages to enhance patient education and care in medical contexts; to educate policy makers on the most effective solutions to problems; to communicate theory and studies in scientific and technological contexts; as editors and writers for journals that publish research findings; as journalists working science beats; and as artists working with themes, images, materials, and ideas from scientific research.

The certificate program requires 18 credits, described as follows.