Undergraduate Studies
Good communications skills are not enough if you want a job that involves reporting and writing about science, agriculture, natural resources, business, health or other specialized subjects. You also need a working understanding of science and technology.
But good communications skills are essential. Our courses focus on writing, editing and producing messages, as well as planning, designing and evaluating effective communication programs. You can emphasize print, broadcast, marketing communication, or take a broader scientific and technical communication perspective.
Our students acquire communication training and specialized knowledge. Many students pursue a double major, combining their interest in communication with another discipline, such as animal sciences, or wildlife ecology, or entomology. These students have been particularly attractive to prospective employers.
Our graduates get jobs as reporters, editors, advertising and marketing professionals, technical writers, broadcast producers, and public information staff at universities and many science-related industries. Some work for specialized publications. Others work for newspapers or broadcast media reporting on science, health, agriculture or the environment. Many have careers with advertising agencies and public relations firms handling accounts for food, biotechnology or related industries. Others work with companies, cooperatives, government agencies and universities as information managers.
Learning outside of class is a big part of the undergraduate education here. Internships are strongly recommended. We help place our students with a wide range of industries, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Students can hone their communication skills with a broad range of campus media organizations and special interest groups. Many of our marketing students are active in the student chapter of the National Agricultural Marketing Association, a consistent finalist in national competitions.
Options in the Life Sciences Communication Major are agricultural production systems, business, international agriculture, natural resources, natural science, and social science.
For more information regarding the Life Sciences Communication Undergraduate program, please contact Larry Meiller, Emeritus Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Studies