Certificate in Public Science Communication
Program Learning Outcomes for the Certificate in Public Science Communication
Upon completing the certificate in Public Science Communication, students will be able to:
- Be knowledgeable about the importance of communicating science to general audiences, and aware of the various ways in which it can be effectively communicated.
- Demonstrate the ability to convey technical information about the content, context, andimportance of science using effective communication strategies through various modalities (e.g.written, oral, visual).
- Be able to critically evaluate examples of science communication.
- Produce original materials that effectively convey science to a general audience.
Requirements for the Certificate in Public Science Communication
Students pursuing the certificate in Public Science Communication must complete:
- A minimum of 6 courses (16 credit hours) to satisfy certificate requirements.
- An Experiential Learning Program or Internship Requirement.
- A Capstone Requirement.
- All course requirements met with Rice University coursework (transfer credit not permitted). For additional program guidelines regarding transfer credit, see the Policies tab.
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.00 in required coursework with a minimum grade of C (2.00 grade points) in each course.
This certificate is not a freestanding degree program; in addition to fulfilling the certificate requirements outlined below, candidates will be required to complete successfully the degree program to which they have been admitted in order to receive this certificate. Upon completion, the certificate is awarded at the same time as the conferral of the student’s Rice degree, along with a formal notation on their academic transcript.
The courses listed below satisfy the requirements for this certificate. In certain instances, courses not on this official list may be substituted upon approval of the certificate’s academic advisor or, where applicable, the Program Director. (Course substitutions must be formally applied and entered into Degree Works by the certificate's Official Certifier.) Students and their academic advisors should identify and clearly document the courses to be taken.
Summary
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours Required for the Certificate in Public Health Communication | 16 | |
Certificate Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| NSCI 220 | FUNDAMENTALS OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATION | 3 |
| NSCI 320 | PUBLIC SCIENCE COMMUNICATION SEMINAR | 1 |
| Elective Requirements | ||
| Select 2 courses from the following: | 6 | |
| INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE WRITING | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE NONFICTION WRITING | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO PODCASTING | ||
| TOPICS IN CREATIVE NONFICTION WRITING | ||
| NONFICTION NATURE WRITING | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL FILMMAKING | ||
| DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION | ||
| PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE MEDIA | ||
| PUBLIC SPEAKING | ||
| ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE | ||
| CREATIVE WRITING AND MEDICAL HUMANITIES | ||
| Internship Requirement | ||
| NSCI 321 | INTERNSHIP IN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION | 3 |
| Capstone Requirement | ||
| NSCI 420 | CAPSTONE IN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 16 | |
Policies for the Certificate in Public Science Communication
Admissions
Upon completing an advising plan to complete the Elective Requirements and Internship Requirement, students may apply in the spring of their sophomore or junior year for admittance to the certificate in Public Science Communication.
To apply, students must submit an application, including an i) academic transcript and ii) Statement of Interest (no more than 1 page). Only students who demonstrate a coherent path of preparation will be admitted to the certificate program.
Upon admission, students must declare the certificate using the Declaration and Change of University Certificate Form (UG) available in ESTHER. Declaration of the certificate requires the student to obtain the approval of the appropriate certificate advisor for the university certificate program.
Program Restrictions and Exclusions
Students pursuing the Certificate in Public Science Communication should be aware of the following program restriction:
- As noted in Majors, Minors, and Certificates, students may declare their intent to pursue a university certificate only after they have first declared a major.
Transfer Credit
For Rice University’s policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit. Requests for transfer credit must be approved for Rice equivalency by the designated transfer credit advisor for the appropriate academic department offering the Rice equivalent course (corresponding to the subject code of the course content). The Office of Academic Advising maintains the university’s official list of transfer credit advisors on their website: https://oaa.rice.edu. Students are encouraged to meet with the applicable transfer credit advisor as well as their academic program director when considering transfer credit possibilities.
Program Transfer Credit Guidelines
Students pursuing the certificate in Public Science Communication should be aware of the following program-specific transfer credit guideline:
- Transfer credit coursework cannot be applied or used to meet any of the program’s course requirements
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Public Science Communication website: https://naturalsciences.rice.edu/science-communication/.
Opportunities for the Certificate in Public Science Communication
Academic Honors
The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate’s academic history at Rice. For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work. Some departments have department-specific Honors awards or designations.
Additional Information
For additional information, please see the Public Science Communication website: https://naturalsciences.rice.edu/science-communication/.