Semester II

Science News Writing II
[COM JO 724]
Douglas Starr and Ellen Ruppel Shell
A continuation of Science News Writing I, this course focuses on "process" news -- articles that take a more in-depth look at scientific ideas and emerging trends. Emphasis is placed on communicating the science with clarity, accuracy, and style.

Science in the Mass Media II
[COM JO 735]
Douglas Starr and Ellen Ruppel Shell
A workshop course in learning to write about science policy issues, using Science in the Mass Media I as background. Students attend seminars on key policy issues of the day, and prepare two publishable magazine-length articles. Classroom discussions will involve critical subject areas in science reporting, including statistics, epidemiology, Internet issues and AIDS.

Two electives:
Students may take a writing course in the College of Communication or a graduate level science or science policy course at Boston University or other institution in the Boston area.