Science Communication Minor

Moody Career Center 2020
Science Communication Minor

Learn to effectively communicate science topics to a variety of audiences by utilizing professional communication techniques and tools as you gain an understanding of contemporary communication issues and advanced skills to enhance communication with the public.

18

Hours of Coursework

9

Hours Outside of your Major

About the Minor

The Science Communication minor is open to students in the College of Natural Sciences and Moody College of Communication under the 2016-2018, 2018-2020, 2020-2022 and 2022-2024 catalogs who have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 at UT Austin.

  • The Science Communication minor requires a total of 18 hours of coursework.
  • Nine hours of coursework must come from outside of major requirements. Only 9 hours of overlap between major and minor courses is allowed for this minor.
  • Nine hours of coursework must be taken at upper division level.
  • Nine hours of coursework must be taken in residence.
  • All courses must be taken for a letter grade, unless the course is only offered on the pass/fail basis. Only courses with a grade of C- or better will be counted towards the minor.

Click on tab for the specific catalog year associated with your major. Only courses listed on your specific catalog will count towards your minor.

NOTE: You can find your catalog in the Profile section at the bottom of the IDA Audit Request page.

For students under the 2022-2024 catalog

Students pursuing the Science Communication minor under the 2022-2024 catalog are responsible for the following requirements:

Three hours of required coursework:
ADV 323Public Communication of Science and Technology
Three hours of Foundations coursework:
ADV 305Fundamentals of Advertising
ADV 324Communicating Sustainability
CMS 306MProfessional Communication Skills
CMS 313MOrganizational Communication
CMS 315MInterpersonal Communication Theory
CMS 332KTheories of Persuasion
CMS 334KNonverbal Communication
CMS 342KPolitical Communication
CMS 345Media Effects and Politics
J 301FFundamental Issues in Journalism
P R 305Fundamentals of Public Relations
Three hours of Skills coursework:
CMS 316LInterviewing Principles and Practices
CMS 320Advanced Presentation Skills
CMS 337Building Sales Relationships
CMS 345GCommunicating to Government
CMS 350CCrowds, Clouds, and Community
CMS 353SSocial Media and Organizations
CMS 372KAdvanced Organizational Communication
COM 308Creative Communication of Scientific Research
COM 323.4Communication Internship (Topic 4: Science Communication Internship)
J 313PMultimedia News Reporting
J 336FSocial Media Journalism
J 346FReporting on the Environment
Three hours of Ethics and Leadership coursework:
CLD 301Introduction to Communication and Leadership
CMS 322ECommunication Ethics
CMS 332Argumentation and Advocacy
CMS 338Leadership Stories
CMS 344KLying and Deception
CMS 353CCommunication for Innovation
COM 340Leadership and Urban Engagement
Six additional hours of coursework chosen from the Foundations, Skills, and Ethics and Leadership course lists.
In addition to specific course requirements, students must also fulfill the hour totals for overall, in residence, and upper division coursework as well as meet the grade minimums for each minor course.

Under specific circumstances, the minor faculty committee may consider course substitutions for minor course requirements. Approval of any petition is not a guarantee.

Students must meet with the Moody Minors Advisor to discuss a petitions.

For students under the 2020-2022 catalog

Students pursuing the Science Communication minor under 2020-2022 catalog are responsible for the following requirements:

Three hours of required coursework:
ADV/ P R 323Public Communication of Science and Technology
Three hours of Foundations coursework: 
ADV 305Fundamentals of Advertising
ADV/ P R 324Communicating Sustainability
CMS 306MProfessional Communication Skills
CMS 313MOrganizational Communication
CMS 315MInterpersonal Communication Theory
CMS 332KTheories of Persuasion
CMS 334KNonverbal Communication
CMS 342KPolitical Communication
CMS 345Media Effects and Politics
J 301FFundamental Issues in Journalism
PR 305Fundamentals of Public Relations
Three hours of Skills coursework:
COM 308/ NSC 303Creative Communication of Scientific Research
CMS 316LInterviewing Principles and Practices
CMS 320Advanced Presentation Skills
CMS 337Building Sales Relationships
CMS 345GCommunicating to Government
CMS 350CCrowds, Clouds, and Community
CMS 353SSocial Media and Organizations
CMS 372KAdvanced Organizational Communication
COM 323.4Communication Internship (Topic 4: Science Communication Internship)
J 313PMultimedia News Reporting
J 336FSocial Media Journalism
J 346FReporting on the Environment
Three hours of Ethics and Leadership coursework:
CLD 301Introduction to Communication and Leadership
CMS 322ECommunication Ethics
CMS 332Argumentation and Advocacy
CMS 338Leadership Stories
CMS 344KLying and Deception
CMS 353CCommunication for Innovation
COM 340Leadership and Urban Engagement
Six additional hours of coursework chosen from Foundations, Skills, and Ethics and Leadership courses
In addition to specific course requirements, students must also fulfill the hour totals for overall, in residence, and upper division coursework as well as meet the grade minimums for each minor course

Under specific circumstances, the minor faculty committee may consider course substitutions for minor course requirements. Approval of any petition is not a guarantee.

Students must meet with the Moody Minors Advisor to discuss a petition.

For students under the 2018-2020 catalog

Students pursuing the Science Communication minor under 2018-2020 catalog are responsible for the following requirements:

Three hours of required coursework:
ADV 323Public Communication of Science and Technology
Three hours of Foundations coursework: 
ADV 305Fundamentals of Advertising
ADV 324Communicating Sustainability
CMS 306MProfessional Communication Skills
CMS 313MOrganizational Communication
CMS 315MInterpersonal Communication Theory
CMS 332KTheories of Persuasion
CMS 334KNonverbal Communication
CMS 342KPolitical Communication
CMS 345Media Effects and Politics
J 301FFundamental Issues in Journalism
PR 305Fundamentals of Public Relations
Three hours of Skills coursework:
COM 308Creative Communication of Scientific Research
CMS 316LInterviewing Principles and Practices
CMS 320Advanced Presentation Skills
CMS 337Building Sales Relationships
CMS 345GCommunicating to Government
CMS 350CCrowds, Clouds, and Community
CMS 353SSocial Media and Organizations
CMS 360WWork360
CMS 372KAdvanced Organizational Communication
COM 323.4Communication Internship (Topic 4: Science Communication Internship)
J 313PMultimedia News Reporting
J 336FSocial Media Journalism
J 346FReporting on the Environment
Three hours of Ethics and Leadership coursework
CLD 301Introduction to Communication and Leadership
CMS 322ECommunication Ethics
CMS 332Argumentation and Advocacy
CMS 338Leadership Stories
CMS 344KLying and Deception
CMS 353CCommunication for Innovation
COM 340Leadership and Urban Engagement
Six additional hours of coursework chosen from Foundations, Skills, and Ethics and Leadership courses
In addition to specific course requirements, students must also fulfill the hour totals for overall, in residence, and upper division coursework as well as meet the grade minimums for each minor course.

Under specific circumstances, the minor faculty committee may consider course substitutions for minor course requirements. Approval of any petition is not a guarantee.

Students must meet with the Moody Minors Advisor to discuss a petitions.

For students under the 2016-2018 catalog

The title of this minor on the 2016-2018 catalog is Communication and Society: Science Communication. Be mindful of the differences in minor name and requirements for the later catalogs.

Students pursuing Communication and Society: Science Communication under the 2016-2018 catalog are responsible for the following requirements:

Three hours of required coursework:
COM 323.4Communication Internship (Topic 4: Science Communication Internship)
Six hours of Issues in Communication coursework:
ADV 323Public Communication of Science and Technology
CMS 315MInterpersonal Communication Theory
CMS 322ECommunication Ethics
CMS 334KNonverbal Communication
CMS 338Leadership Stories
CMS 344KLying and Deception
CMS 353SSocial Media and Organizations
J 301FFundamental Issues in Journalism
J 346FReporting on the Environment
J 346GDomestic Issues and Global Perspective
Nine hours of Communication Tools coursework:
CMS 306MProfessional Communication Skills
CMS 320Advanced Presentation Skills

CMS 332Argumentation and Advocacy
CMS 337Building Sales Relationships
CMS 332KTheories of Persuasion
CMS 348Communication Research Methods
CMS 364MPre-Graduate School Mentorship
J 302FDigital Storytelling Basics
J 331GAudio Storytelling
J 333FData-Driven Reporting
J 336DGraphic Design for Print and Online
J 336FSocial Media Journalism
J 339GMobile News App Design
In addition to specific course requirements, students must also fulfill the hour totals for overall, in residence, and upper division coursework as well as meet the grade minimums in each minor course.
If you are pursuing the Science Communication Minor under the 2016-2018 catalog you are eligible to take new coursework offered under the 2018-2020 catalog and apply it toward your minor requirements, as long as you meet the pre-requisites for the course(s) you plan to take. To learn how those courses apply toward the requirements under the 2016-2018 catalog click here.

General Minor Eligibility

Undergraduate students in the College of Natural Sciences and Moody College of Communication under the 2016-2018, 2018-2020, 2020-2022 and 2022-2024 catalogs who have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 at UT Austin are eligible to apply for the Science Communication minor.

Students in their first semester at UT Austin should apply after grades are posted.

A student's major college may have additional criteria that they must meet in order to pursue a minor. Prior to applying, students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor in their own major to discuss how the minor fits into their degree plan.

Moody Student Eligibility

Moody students have additional criteria for pursuing a minor credential.

  • Moody students may only pursue one minor/certificate credential.
  • Moody students following the 2020-2022 and earlier catalogs must apply for their minor before they have completed 65% of their degree requirements.
  • Moody students following the 2022-2024 catalog must apply for their minor before they have completed 75% of their degree requirements.

Moody students should contact their advisor if they have questions about these policies.

  1. Visit this site
  2. Select "COM Communication" for Field of Study
  3. Click "Continue"
  4. Select the appropriate minor title based on catalog eligibility
    1. 2016-2018 catalog: "COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY: SCIENCE COMMUNICATION (MNCCOM01)"
    2. 2018-20202020-2022 and 2022-2024 catalogs: "SCIENCE COMMUNICATION (MNCCOM04)"
  5. Click "Continue"