Courses

VIBS 655. Preparing Scientific Papers and Presentations. (3-0). Credit 3.

Writing and placement of journal articles in student’s research field; preparation of oral and poster presentations; basics of writing grant proposals; other aspects of scientific communication. Spring Syllabus

VIBS 657. Issues in Science and Technology Journalism. (3-0). Credit 3. *

Current issues, fundamental concepts in science and technology journalism, communication theory, science and journalism components, philosophy, and literature of the field. Fall Syllabus

VIBS 658. Research Methods in Science and Technology Journalism. (3-0). Credit 3. *

Research methods including theory, hypothesis formulation, design, data collection, data analysis, measurement, and report writing. Qualitative and quantitative methods. Research topics. Spring Syllabus

VIBS 660. Reporting Science and Technology. (3-0). Credit 3. *

Gathering, writing and editing complex information, translation techniques, interpretation and analysis, literary and organizational devices, and measurement of readability. Fall Syllabus

VIBS 663. Biomedical Reporting. (3-0). Credit 3.

Sources of biomedical information, specialized information-gathering skills, key biomedical vocabulary/concepts, audiences, outlets, translation/interpretation, research, and ethical issues. Fall Syllabus

VIBS 664. Risk and Crisis Reporting. (3-0). Credit 3.

Assessment and analysis of environmental and health risk, analytical procedures, interpretation of risk factors, reporting science crisis events. Spring Syllabus

VIBS 665. Science Editing. (3-0). Credit 3. *

Editing materials both for segments of the public and for readers in scientific and technical fields. Spring Syllabus

VIBS 684. Professional Internship. Credit 1 to 4 each semester *

A directed internship in an organization to provide students with on-the-job training with professionals in settings appropriate to the student’s professional objectives. Prerequisite: Approval by committee chair. *3 Credit Hours are required for the Internship Track.

VIBS 685. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4 each semester

Research problem or individualized study in an area of specialization in science and technology journalism. Topics have included, but are not limited to, magazine writing, grant proposal editing, advanced science editing, and teaching science writing.

* Required course