Certificate in Science Communication
Introducing UChicago’s New Certificate in Science Communication Program
Imagine having the power to communicate complex science and medicine so effectively that it opens doors to opportunities, collaborations, and leadership roles. You’ll get that edge through this 9-month program from the University of Chicago and the Institute for Translational Medicine.
This program is designed for current UChicago students. If you are not a current UChicago student you can pursue the Certificate in Science Communication & Storytelling.
Flexible Learning Designed for Your Busy Schedule
You have options to fit your needs!
Requirements for completing this certificate are as follows:
Didactic Training OR Three-Day Intensive
Participate in:
-
- One canonical course
- Either BMSC 41000 OR BMSC 42000
- One canonical course
OR
- One Weekend Intensive Session that fits into your schedule and deliver impactful learning in a short timeframe.
Savvy Science Communication Seminars
Students must participate in three Savvy Science Communication Seminars:
Savvy Science Communication Seminars will be held throughout the academic year on topics such as Writing an Op-Ed, Delivering a Dynamic Talk, The Art of Interviews, Artificial Intelligence in Communication, Social Media, Misinformation, Building a Professional Personal Brand, and more. Students must attend at least three seminars.
Co-Curriculars
Students must complete four co-curriculars:
Create a Professional Brand and Website
Students will learn the skills for how to create a professional brand and website using free tools and AI, and they’ll complete the creation of a three-page minimum website showcasing a research project, op-ed, and beyond, as well as strategic framing of their academic experiences to help achieve a specific career goal. This will be the topic of one of the required Savvy Science Communication Seminars. Grading: Website will be shared to faculty and other participants for evaluation.
Attend One Institute for Translational Medicine Science Communication Event
Students will attend at least one event from the Institute for Translational Medicine (ITM) and connect and network with physician researchers, members of the public, and others. The ITM is based at the University of Chicago and includes academic medical centers, health systems, and universities across Chicagoland fueled by more than $50 million from the National Institutes of Health. Students have the opportunity to connect with faculty and researchers from across a variety of disciplines as well as community organizations and initiatives. Grading: Proof of attendance is shown by posting key takeaways on social media.
Submit an Op-Ed to a Media Publication
Students will select a topic of their choice and write an op-ed to pitch throughout the year. Students must submit their op-ed to a publication of their choice before the end of the academic year. They may pitch their pieces to any online or print media organization, and they’ll have faculty support and coaching to help them accomplish this requirement. (Students can work on this as part of their required coursework in the Science Communication Writing Class or the Intensive Course.) Grading: Proof of submission must be submitted to faculty lead.
Create Written and Video Content
Each student is required to complete a project within and related to their individual degree program. Students will apply science communication strategies to write an 800-word news story or op-ed, create a one-minute social media video, and deliver a three-minute presentation for a non-scientific audience about their projects’ findings and why those findings matter. (Students can work on this as part of the required coursework for the Science Communication Writing and Science Communication Presentation Class or the Intensive Course.) Grading: Based on evaluation of faculty lead.
Courses and Intensive Overview
BMSC 41000 Dynamic Discourse: Write Powerful Pieces to Communicate Science to the Public
Gain skills in written and digital communication, focusing on translating complex information and scientific research in ways that inspire the public to take action. Learn about the science of storytelling, how to create powerful strategic frameworks, ways to incorporate elements of newsworthiness, and how to write for a lay audience without sacrificing accuracy. Understand the difference between op-eds, blogs, and news, and how to take advantage of each to accomplish your goals. Learn the theory and apply it to practice by writing and workshopping a piece throughout the quarter that you’ll pitch to a publication. (Spring Quarter) Coursework can count towards the Op-Ed co-curricular requirement.
BMSC 42000 Give a Dynamic Talk That Doesn’t Put Your Audience to Sleep
Powerful talks have the potential to shape history, mobilize the masses, improve health, launch companies, and spark change. You’ll give hundreds of presentations in your career, ranging from conferences to leadership boards to potential patients, customers, research participants, and investors. Learn the science of body language and nonverbal communication. Gain skills in oral communication and apply these skills to produce a TED-talk style video communicating a complex topic of your choice. The goal is effective, engaging communication to a general audience without sacrificing scientific accuracy. You’ll leave the course with a professionally produced video of your Talk that you can use to advance your career! (Winter Quarter) Coursework can count towards the scientific talk for a lay audience co-curricular requirement.
Harness Strategic Science Communication Strategies to Accomplish Your Goals
This condensed course will take place twice each year over the span of three days during non-canonical hours. Topics will include an intro to science communication, how to write and pitch op-eds, ways to tailor complex science for a variety of audiences and goals, ways to use social media and address misinformation, and the science and art of delivering a dynamic TED-style talk. Note: this intensive course will be offered at no additional charge for current graduate students and is not credit-bearing.
Options for dates of the Winter and Spring intensives are below:
Winter: January 17-19
Spring: April 4-6
Application Requirements:
Interested students will submit an application with the following materials:
- Student CV/Resume
- Personal statement describing their interest in science communication and how the certificate aligns with their career goals
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate key principles in science communication and how they apply to the current health care system, research, media, and popular culture.
- Use principles of science communication to disseminate complex information or address a problem in healthcare or research.
- Analyze messaging in health care, research, and the media and describe ways science communication strategies can be applied to optimize it.
- Identify six traits that make ideas and stories stick in audiences’ brains.
- Convert jargon into concrete, lay-friendly messages.
- Create an oral presentation as well as written and video content using scientific communication strategies.
Set Yourself Up for Success
Students pursuing the Science Communication Certificate will gain professional development, networking opportunities, and an online portfolio showcasing the projects they completed. They will also acquire strategies to effectively apply key communication principles across various fields and contexts. Upon completion, students will receive a notation on their transcripts indicating their achievement in the Science Communication Certificate Program.
Questions?
Please reach out to your admissions team at, bsd-masters@uchicago.edu, with any questions about the program or registration process.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Request more information to get access to the application and prepare for the upcoming certificate starting in Fall of 2025!
“This is life-changing. This is going to change forever the way I talk, communicate, and interact with my patients and colleagues. I think this was one of the best things I’ve done for myself.”
Meet Your Sci Comm Faculty Leader
Sara Serritella
Sara Serritella is a national expert in science communication. She is an award-winning investigative journalist turned Director of Communications for the Institute for Translational Medicine funded by the National Institutes for Health (NIH). She’s also a lecturer in science communication at the University of Chicago and a licensed private detective.