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:
Nick Montfort
14N-233, 324-1429
nickm@nickm.com

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.732    Science Writing and New Media

• Explorations in Scientific and Technical Writing – Andrea Walsh, Janis Melvold
• Perspectives on Medicine and Public Health – Cynthia Taft
• Writing and the Environment – Cynthia Taft
• Explorations in Scientific and Technical Communication – Janis Melvold
• Elements of Science Writing for the Public – Marcia Bartusiak

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 – Vivek Bald, Tom Levenson

21W.774     Invention and Ingenuity: Writing about Engineers
and the Worlds They Make – Rob Kanigel

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

21W.777     The Science Essay – Karen Boiko

21W.778     Science Journalism – Tom Levenson, Russ Rymer

21W.781J (1.588J, 3.070J, 22.002J, ESD.032J)
Communicating About Technology: Colossal Failures in
Engineering – Bill Haas, Jim Paradis

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

21W.792     Science Writing Internship