Focus of Study

The department offers the a master’s degree in life sciences communication, with available research/thesis or available professional course-based tracks.

Course Description

The thesis track requires 30 credits. Study programs match the interests and needs of individual students. However, all students must take a communication theory course, a research methodology course and a statistics course. The program requires a thesis based on original research.

The professional track is a course-based program (30 credits total) that is designed to prepare students for professional careers in life sciences communication and related fields. Students in this track will usually not pursue a Ph.D. program in the future. In fact, many graduate programs (including LSC) do not accept a nonthesis master’s as a criterion for admission to their Ph.D. program.

Teaching and research in the department focus on science communication in the areas of emerging technologies, environment, agriculture, health, and nutrition. The department also has a strong program in international communication.

The M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs provide advanced professional training in communication and preparation for communication research and teaching. Students in the professional track M.S. program are studying for careers in a variety of fields, including journalism, strategic communication, marketing and market research, particularly in science-related fields.