Major in Science Writing

The curriculum in science writing is designed to enable the student to develop mastery of the craft and rhetoric of writing about the worlds of science and engineering for broad audiences.  This writing major is an option for students interested in science journalism, longer forms like the science documentary, and communication issues related to the public understanding of science and technology.  It is also designed to work as a complementary major for students majoring in science, engineering, or another field of study at MIT.  This major includes a three-subject exposure to an allied field such as science, or comparative media studies.  Students also fulfill an internship requirement, which provides in-depth practical experience.

Major advisor:
Thomas Levenson
14E-303B, 617-253-8922,
levenson@mit.edu

How to Major in Science Writing 

• To see the full degree program requirements go to the MIT Office of the Registrar website at web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.human.writi.shtml.
• The Writing degree chart can be viewed at web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.human.ch21w.shtml.
• For joint major in Humanities and Engineering/21E or Humanities and Science/21S, go to web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.human.human.shtml.

Featured Subjects and Instructors for the Major in Science Writing

 Introductory

21W.031 Science Writing and New Media: Explorations in Communicating about Science and Technology – Janis Melvold

21W.032 Science Writing and New Media: Introduction to Digital Media – Edward Barrett

21W.033 (CI-HW) Science Writing and New Media: Engineering Communication in Context – Dave Custer


21W.034 Science Writing and New Media: Perspectives on Medicine and Public Health –Cynthia Taft


21W.035 Science Writing and New Media: Elements of Science Writing for the Public – Thea Singer

Advanced

21W.736     News Writing – B.D. Colen

21W.739J (21L.448J)    Darwin and Design – James Paradis, Alvin Kibel

21W.746     Humanistic Perspectives on Medicine:
From Ancient Greece to Modern America – Kenneth Manning

21W.749     Documentary Photography and Photojournalism:
Still Images of a World in Motion – B.D. Colen

21W.752(U)/824(G)     Making Documentary: Video, Audio and More – Tom Levenson

21W.775     Writing about Nature and Environmental Issues – Karen Boiko

21W.777     The Science Essay – Seth Mnookin

21W.778     Science Journalism – Tom Levenson

21W.782J (STS.014J)     Principles and Practice of Science
Communication – J. Durant

21W.792     Science Writing Internship