With a significant need for professionals to communicate science, discoveries, and innovations to the general public, a flexible hybrid/online program鈥攚ith a focus on science and technology鈥攚ill be offered through the journalism master鈥檚 degree beginning Fall 2023.
Students can earn the entirely online in as few as two semesters full-time or can tailor a part-time schedule over additional semesters. Students also may opt to take courses that 鈥渟tack鈥� to a professional credential, and those courses can later be applied to a degree.
The new program is a collaboration between the College 糖心vlog传媒 and the and was one of 10 projects selected this year to be funded by campus鈥檚 to enhance the visibility and impact of the University of Illinois.
鈥淭丑别 Department of Journalism is proud to expand our curricula to train current and future journalists how to communicate important scientific and technical information to the general public,鈥� said Mira Sotirovic, head of the Department of Journalism and associate professor and Karin and Folke Dovring Scholar in Propaganda. 鈥淲e have seen a growing interest in, and a growing need for, science communication and are thrilled to receive Investment for Growth funding to begin meeting the demand.鈥�
The new curricula will also offer a science and technology communication certificate for undergraduates, and the online 400-level courses in this track will expand paths to degree completion for undergraduates.
鈥淪cientific research and innovation are present in our daily lives, in seen and unseen ways,鈥� said Claudia Lutz, outreach manager at the Institute for Genomic Biology. 鈥淎s the last few years have reminded us, this is particularly true of the field of genomics, which intersects with almost every aspect of both life sciences and society. We are excited to help give future science journalists an inside look at how science is done and a broader awareness of its impact.鈥�
The timing of this program coincides with needs voiced by the science communication industry for such training, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to report on critical stories of our time including climate change, nuclear and chemical warfare, and health and wellness. For example, Scientific American published (2022), NiemanLab reported on (2022), and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences covered (2019).
The online master鈥檚 program and individual course modules are ideal for journalists and prospective journalists who want to improve and specialize in science writing or to gain a competitive advantage in the field; scientists and their academic colleagues who wish to be more effective in communicating to lay audiences; and communications professionals who work for nonprofits, government agencies, or science- or technology-focused corporations who are interested in boosting their skills and understanding.
Courses will cover writing science stories in plain English; the basics of data journalism, including building databases and analyzing data; visualization in newsrooms; humanizing data through video storytelling and humanizing science communication by harnessing virtual reality; and more. Students will also examine the science of genomics and its applications to environment, health, and technology through course modules.
As part of the preparation for enrolling students next fall, the Department of Journalism is hiring a new professor in science, technology, data, or digital journalism to supplement the course offerings.
鈥淭丑别y will have an important role in the new concentration,鈥� Sotirovic said. 鈥淭丑别 new faculty member will teach courses in science journalism, as well as some combination of courses in data journalism, social media analytics, and other courses based on their own expertise and interests.鈥�
Additionally, the Institute for Genomic Biology is hiring a in science communications curriculum coordination. This position will help develop course materials and oversee experiential learning for students in the program.
and the application details. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2023.
For more information about this program, please email Mira Sotirovic.
鈥擧olly Rushakoff