Science and Technology Writing, Certificate
In an era of accelerating scientific discovery and new challenges to society and the world, an understanding of science and technology (scientific literacy) is essential for the support of a well-informed public and enabling rational policies. The effective communication of science and technology is integral to science literacy. Individuals with skills in communicating and writing in the sciences and technology, and having a strong foundation in the sciences or related field, can gain rewarding careers in the private and public sector, in bringing to the public scientific matters at a variety of levels.
The certificate in Science and Technology Writing provides a foundational step for individuals seeking careers in this area. As science and technology writing necessarily requires a strong foundation in the sciences, the certificate program is taken alongside a major in a science field. The program is open to students from any college provided their major is STEM-based.
Undergraduate Contact Information:
Dr. Susan Varnum
Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs and Science Education
College of Science and Technology
629 Gladfelter Hall
215-204-6390 or 215-204-4073
susan.varnum@temple.edu
Dr. Robert Sanders, Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 255
215-204-8851
Dr. Erik Cordes, Vice Chair
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 447
erik.cordes@temple.edu
215-204-4067
Dr. Angela Bricker, Faculty Advisor
Biology Majors - junior and senior
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248C
215-204-8578
abricker@temple.edu
Dr. Jay Lunden, Faculty Advisor
Biology Majors - first and second year
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248M
215-204-8524
jlunden@temple.edu
Evelyn Vleck, Faculty Advisor
Biology Majors - transfer students
Biology-Life Sciences Building, Room 248
evleck@temple.edu
Certificate Requirements
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for BIOL 4522, BIOL 4532 and BIOL 4533 include the requirement that students will have completed at least one of the following upper-level courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Evolutionary Ecology | ||
| Human Genetics | ||
| Evolutionary Genetics | ||
| Behavioral Genetics | ||
| Genomics and Evolutionary Biology of Parasites and Other Dependent Species | ||
| Marine Ecology | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Ecology of Invasive Species | ||
| Conservation Biology | ||
| Tropical Marine Biology | ||
| Plant Community Ecology | ||
| Global Change Science: Analytics with R | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Research Techniques in Molecular Biology | ||
| Immunology | ||
| Virology | ||
| Developmental Genetics | ||
| Freshwater Ecology | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Theory and Applications of Cancer Biology | ||
| Biotechnology | ||
| Field Research in Community Ecology | ||
| Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating | ||
| Genomic Biology | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry Lecture I | ||
| Physical Chemistry Lecture II | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Introduction to Systems Programming and Operating Systems | ||
| Data Structures and Algorithms | ||
| Component-Based Software Design | ||
| Network Architectures | ||
| Paleontology and Stratigraphy | ||
| Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | ||
| Structural Geology | ||
| Numerical Analysis I | ||
| Introduction to Modern Algebra | ||
| Modern Algebra | ||
| Real & Complex Analysis I | ||
| Advanced Calculus I | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Classical Electromagnetism | ||
| Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I | ||
| Thermal Physics | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 3-4 | |
Required Courses
Students pursuing a Certificate in Science and Technology Writing must complete the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| College of Science and Technology | ||
| SCTC 2396 | Writing for Science and Technology | 3 |
| Discipline-Based Writing Intensive Course from Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Computer and Information Sciences, Mathematics, Physics or other Science Major | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
| Genetics | ||
| Cell Structure and Function | ||
| Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating | ||
| Physical Chemistry Laboratory I and Physical Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Techniques of Chemical Measurement II | ||
| Software Design | ||
| Independent Research in Computer Science | ||
| Projects in Computer Science | ||
| Climate Change: Oceans To Atmosphere | ||
| Process Geomorphology | ||
| Environmental Science Senior Seminar | ||
| Introduction to Modern Algebra | ||
| Modern Algebra | ||
| Senior Problem Solving | ||
| Introduction to Modern Physics | ||
| Experimental Physics | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Introduction to Scientific and Regulatory Writing | ||
| Introduction to Grant Writing | ||
| Communicating Science to a Broader Audience / Non-Scientists | ||
SCTC 2105 | ||
SCTC 2106 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 12-14 | |
| 1 | Students may take only one of the following SCTC courses as an elective: SCTC 2105 or SCTC 2106. The other elective must be chosen from BIOL 4522, BIOL 4532 or BIOL 4533. |
Residency Requirement: At least two courses for the certificate must be completed at Temple.