MS in Science Journalism
This graduate program is designed to teach students to report intelligently and write clearly about science, medicine, technology, and the environment for a general audience. Students are encouraged to examine and write about science as part of the fabric of our society. They are taught to evaluate scientific research and its applications and to decode jargon. They learn how to engage readers while explaining complex ideas. The curriculum includes a thorough grounding in basic newswriting and reporting. Graduates are prepared to take on jobs as reporters and editors for general-interest and specialized newspapers, magazines, and broadcast outlets.
Degree Requirements
The Science Journalism Program consists of a minimum of 48 credits.
Center for Science & Medical Journalism
This specialty program is aimed at training future generations of scientifically competent and ethically grounded science and medical journalists. Students enrolled in the journalism department’s three-semester Master of Science degree program in science journalism and professionals have access to the center to learn how to identify, process, and report legitimate science and medical information to the general public. This includes developing very specific skills in the understanding of biostatistics and epidemiology. It also offers training for mid-career reporters assigned by news organizations to cover medicine and health, and for international journalists interested in improving science and medical news coverage in their home countries. The center further serves as a global reference source for science and medical news, with a website on which journalists from around the world exchange information, sources, and perspectives on science, medical, and public health issues. The purpose of the center is to improve the quality of science and medical journalism in print, broadcast, and online news organizations. In addition to the journalism department, instruction is provided by experts from Boston University’s School of Public Health and School of Medicine.
Options
In addition to the required and elective courses described in this bulletin, the faculty periodically offer special courses based on student interest. These include history and philosophy of science; magazine editing, production, and design; and directed studies in science features for television. Students may also elect, with the program director’s permission, courses in the Department of Journalism and selected graduate courses in other schools and colleges of the University. Students without a strong natural science background may wish to take a science elective.
If approved by the director, special degree completion arrangements may be made for those students who are working or interning in the field by the third semester.
Internships
Each student is expected either to take a position as an intern during the summer between the second and third semesters or to complete a supervised directed study in science writing. All internships are supervised and must be approved by the director. Interns are expected to do meaningful work that develops their skills in research, writing, or editing. Within these limitations, students are encouraged to seek summer jobs that meet the internship requirement. Supervisors are asked to submit a written evaluation and grade following the completion of the internship.
Science Journalism Curriculum
First Semester
- COM JO 705 Science and the Mass Media
- COM JO 721 Journalism Principles and Techniques
- COM JO 723 Science Newswriting I
- Elective: Choose in consultation with adviser
- Recommended: COM JO 881 Broadcast Science News
Second Semester
- COM JO 724 Science Newswriting II
- COM JO 732 Science and the Mass Media II
- Two electives chosen with adviser approval
Recommended
- COM JO 525 Media Law and Ethics
- COM JO 519 Narrative Radio
- COM JO 501 Business and Economics Reporting
Third Semester
- COM JO 702 Advanced Science Writing
- COM JO 754 Science Journalism Internship
- COM JO 502 Science Web Magazine
Elective
Choose one (1) from Second Semester or consult your catalog and posted schedule for other options.
