WSU launches online certificate in science and tech writing

PULLMAN, Wash.—When a volcano rumbles or an epidemic looms or a new medicine is discovered, someone needs to translate scientific knowledge into easy-to-understand English.

Washington State University’s new online Professional Science and Technology Writing Certificate teaches students to bridge that gap.
“This certificate positions scientists and non-scientists alike to play a key role in educating the public, and in advancing real solutions to some of our biggest national challenges,” said Todd Butler, associate professor and chair of the English Department.
 

The online certificate will also benefit people in fields ranging from media relations to risk-assessment, from grant-writing to government communications.  The 15-credit program requires three English courses and two electives from a wide variety of disciplines.

“It’s not enough anymore that we simply do good science,” Butler said. “The world also needs people who can help the public understand the increasingly technical and complex work that scientists do.”

The certificate is offered through WSU’s Global Campus and will be available this fall. For more information, please check the website: http://online.wsu.edu/cert/scienceTechnologyWriting.aspx.