The Writing Department invites students to enroll in Science Writing (WRTG-31400-01, CRN 41115) next semester (Spring 2023): 1:10 PM Tuesday, Thursday (Smiddy 114).
This advanced reporting course (designated Outstanding Writing for the College Integration Core Curriculum) teaches journalism and scientific writing for standard and specialized papers. Students learn to communicate scientific facts and theories to professional and sophisticated readers through explanation, analogy, narrative, and argument. The course also discusses technical and professional conventions of scientific writing, such as research proposals, publication forms, and APA and CSE citations. Class readings include essays by major figures from the history of science and essays and excerpts from contemporary popular science literature.
An option in our major structure and technical writing program, Scientific Writing also serves students in communication, environmental studies, and health and natural sciences. Accordingly, this course encourages discussion, debate, and collaboration among aspiring journalists, nonfiction writers, journalists, and advocates and future practitioners, educators, researchers, scientists, and technicians. The main focus, then, is the science of institutions itself, examining its history, organization, politics, and culture through the lenses of rhetoric and writing.
For more information, download the course syllabus at:
Course requirements: Minor standing (freshmen and sophomores accepted with permission of instructor); any one of the following: WRTG 20100 or WRTG 21300 and two natural science courses; or any level-1 composition course from WRTG 10600 through WRTG 16500 and three courses (at least one above level-1) in health and natural sciences.
Additional requirements allow easy access for students who are not Writing majors and minors. If problems occur when registering online, contact Dr. Anthony Di Renzo at direnzo@ithaca.edu.
Science Writing will not be offered again until Spring 2025. Please encourage your students to take advantage of this opportunity and to see why science writing is the fastest growing form of publishing in America.
