Science Writing I

This course provides an introduction to most forms of science communication intended for non-scientific audiences, such as news and feature writing for both print and online outlets, video scripts, university communications, industry public relations, and more.

We will introduce various careers and considerations in science communication, including the ins and outs of being a freelance writer. We’ll also provide tips on interviewing and other tools and techniques needed to accurately convey complicated subjects in an engaging way to a variety of audiences.

Please note: This course is about communicating scientific topics to non-scientific audiences, not about writing scientific journal articles or grants.

Weekly Course Topics:

• Introduction
• Fundamentals I
• Fundamentals II
• Storytelling
• Interviewing
• Writing for Video/Controversial Topics
• Brand Journalism
• Freelancing
• Write-a-thon

Quarters Offered:  WINTER (live online/Zoom); SUMMER (live online/Zoom)
Prerequisite:  Mastery of written English, some experience in writing and general knowledge of science are strongly encouraged.
Questions:  Contact the academic department at ahl@ucsd.edu.

Note: Meeting times in the schedule below are listed in Pacific Time.

Course Number: WCWP-40105
Credit: 3.00 unit(s)
Related Certificate Programs: Science Communication

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1/14/2021 - 3/11/2021

$395

Live Online

Closed

• SECTION ID:

  152711

• CLASS TYPE:

  Synchronous web-based class meetings that are scheduled to meet online at published times (time/date).

• INSTRUCTOR:
  

  Buschman, Heather

  Heather Buschman has 12 years of experience communicating science to non-scientists. She earned her Ph.D. in molecular pathology at UC San Diego and completed a health communications internship in the National Cancer Institute’s press office. She spent her first years away from the bench as a science writer and communications manager for the Consortium for Functional Glycomics at The Scripps Research Institute, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute and NuVasive, a medical device company. She is currently Senior Communications and Media Relations Manager for UC San Diego Health, where she translates complex research findings into lay-friendly stories in the form of press releases, newsletter articles, magazine pieces, podcast episodes and more. Buschman also co...Read More

• INSTRUCTOR:
  

  Fox, Tiffany

  Tiffany Fox is Communications Manager for Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego, as well as an award-winning public speaker. For more than a decade she has helped researchers tell their research stories through articles, videos and public presentations. In addition, she has developed a number of research communications training modules, offering them to hundreds of undergraduates and graduate students at UC San Diego, across a wide range of disciplines. She also writes a weekly newsletter on research communications,  Research Refined . Prior to coming to UC San Diego, Fox was a reporter and columnist for the San Diego Union-Tribune for 10 years. She is a freelance journalist and has written about a multitude of topics spanning science, engineering, technology and the arts. She has ...Read More

• TEXTBOOKS:

  No textbook required.

• POLICIES:

  Early enrollment advised.
  Early Enrollment Discount: $370 ($395 if enrolled after 12/14/2020).
  No refunds after: 1/21/2021.
  

• NOTE:

  This is a synchronous web-based class that is scheduled to meet online weekly (via Zoom) at the published dates and times listed below (Pacific Time). // You will have access to your course online on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed, if you enroll on or after the published start date. // To login to your course, go to your MyExtension account, select My Courses, select this course and then click the link that appears under Online Provider.

DATE	DAY	START	END	LOCATION
1/14/2021	Thu	5:00 p.m.	8:00 p.m.
1/21/2021	Thu	5:00 p.m.	8:00 p.m.
1/28/2021	Thu	5:00 p.m.	8:00 p.m.
2/4/2021	Thu	5:00 p.m.	8:00 p.m.
2/11/2021	Thu	5:00 p.m.	8:00 p.m.
2/18/2021	Thu	5:00 p.m.	8:00 p.m.
2/25/2021	Thu	5:00 p.m.	8:00 p.m.
3/4/2021	Thu	5:00 p.m.	8:00 p.m.
3/11/2021	Thu	5:00 p.m.	8:00 p.m.