Augustana University will offer science writing as a minor beginning in the fall — adding to the list of interdisciplinary academic programs being developed as part of Augustana’s strategic plan Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030.
In 2021, Augustana hosted Drs. Jamie Metzl and Robert Green, a leading futurist and medical geneticist, respectively, for the 24th Boe Forum on Public Affairs — held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the forum, Green said something that stuck with Dr. Jeffrey Miller, Augustana professor of journalism and co-director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies.
“Questions from journalism remind me so much of how important it is for people to distinguish truth from fiction,” Green said. “How do we make sure that the country is able to distinguish advertising exaggeration and outright fraud from real science, nuanced science and limitations of science? So, for those of you in journalism, I think science journalism is a noble part of your profession and a tough one. But, I think it's going to become increasingly important to marshal regulation and public opinion in the right way, as these genomic technologies become available.”
Green’s quote planted a seed in Miller’s mind, and he began to consider the possibilities of bringing science and journalism together at Augustana.
“We have a very good and well-established science program here,” said Miller. “This would be a way for journalism and English to build some bridges with that part of the world and expand our (department’s) offerings. That's what got the ball rolling. There aren't that many places that have science writing, and that distinguishes us from other institutions.”
Two years later, Miller is piloting one of the minor’s required gateway courses, Introduction to Science Writing, with two students as he prepares for the Fall 2023 launch. The minor will also consist of the second gateway course — any 100-level laboratory course — as well as two science electives, two writing electives, a capstone course and final project. The minor will offer two tracks: one for science majors and one for non-science majors.
Laura Johnson ‘23, an anthropology and journalism double major, and Samantha Erickson ‘24, a biology and religion double major, are the first students to take Introduction to Science Writing — this semester’s “prototype course,” as Miller calls it. Erickson will be the first Augustana student to graduate with a science writing minor.
“I originally went into science writing because I thought it would primarily focus on taking scientific articles and turning them into something that was condensed and simplified for perhaps a newspaper or online article — that way the information coming out of ‘the science world’ would be a bit more accessible to the general public,” said Erickson, a Byron, Minnesota, native. “What's great about this class is I learned that science writing is so much more than that.
“Of course someone can process scientific articles in the way that I mentioned, but that doesn't have to be the extent of science writing,” she continued. “One could also describe whether a scene in a movie could actually happen, break down from a scientific perspective why fast fashion is bad for the environment or describe a fun new animal. The possibilities for science writing are just about endless.”
In the prototype course, Erickson and Johnson’s main assignments include writing three science articles — the first centered around the research of an Augustana faculty member; the second around student research; and the third is a regional or national science issue that expands beyond AU’s campus but must still apply to the university.
In the fall, Miller will bring in local experts in science, medicine and journalism to speak to students in the introductory course. Overall, Miller said the minor will bring two important fields together.
“It allows us to explore a new area of writing, which is increasingly important,” said Miller. “And, on campus, it builds bridges where bridges really should be built between writing and the sciences. And, it’s helpful even to those who go into science or medical research or academia to be able to communicate what they do to an audience that isn’t them.
“We need people who can speak to the general public about what science is, how it works and where it can take us. There are students (in the sciences) who aren't going to go into what everyone assumes that STEM majors are going to go into, and this is a really good opportunity for their future.”
For Johnson, a Cannon Falls, Minnesota, native, the ability to write well secured her a job in archaeology — her dream field — after graduation this spring.
“I acquired an archaeologist field technician internship after graduation that was supposed to be a part-time gig, however, with my journalism background, my new boss opened it up to a full-time position to help with outreach,” Johnson said. “Archaeology is difficult to correctly explain to people who are outside of the field, but archaeology is exciting. Archaeology is one big educated guess, and when the broader community doesn't understand that, that's when people start believing that the earth is 6,000 years old and humans walked with the dinosaurs.”
For Erickson, a science writing minor is the perfect way to enhance her future career goals.
“My goal is to become a doctor, so I'm using this as a way to practice my communication skills on topics I know aren't always easy to explain,” said Erickson. “This course has allowed me to practice research, gain confidence when talking to new people about sometimes difficult topics and improve my writing.”
To learn more about Augustana’s major and minor offerings, visit augie.edu/program-finder.