Bachelor of Science in Communication: Journalism of Science
Students earning the communication degree specialize in one of four areas: general communication, journalism of science (JS), journalism of technology and business (JTB), or professional and technical communication (PTC). All COM majors take coursework in editing, persuasion, communication law and ethics, and science and technology in society. Journalism specialists add courses in journalism, mass media, and intercultural communication, and JS specialists also take a significant amount of coursework in math and science (with a good deal of choice in the focus of those courses), science writing, and philosophy of science.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Communication Requirements | (9) | |
| COM 371 | Persuasion | 3 |
| COM 377 | Communication Law and Ethics | 3 |
| COM 425 | Editing | 3 |
| Portfolio | ||
| Journalism Requirements | (12) | |
| COM 323 | Communicating Science | 3 |
| COM 372 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| COM 435 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COM 440 | Introduction to Journalism | 3 |
| Mathematics Requirement | (5) | |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I | 5 |
| Science Requirements | (11) | |
| BIOL 107 | General Biology Lectures | 3 |
| CHEM 124 | Principles of Chemistry I with Laboratory | 4 |
| PHYS 123 | General Physics I: Mechanics | 4 |
| Science Elective | (3-4) | |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Human Biology | 3 | |
or BIOL 115 | Human Biology | |
| Principles of Chemistry II with Laboratory | 4 | |
or CHEM 126 | Principles of Chemistry II Without Laboratory | |
| General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 | |
| Mathematics and Science Electives | (21) | |
| Select 21 credit hours | 21 | |
| Computer Science Requirement | (2) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section D | 2 | |
| Science and Technology in Society (STS) Electives | (6) | |
| Select six credit hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Philosophy of Science | 3 | |
| Science and Method | 3 | |
| Science and Values | 3 | |
| Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements | (21) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Introduction to the Profession | (3) | |
| Select three credit hours | 3 | |
| Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) | (6) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E | 6 | |
| Minor Electives | (15) | |
| Recommended minors include: Biology, Chemistry, or Physics | 15 | |
| Free Electives | (12) | |
| Select 12 credit hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 126-127 | |
Bachelor of Science in Communication: Journalism of Science Curriculum
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| Introduction to the Profession | 3 | CS 105 or 110 | 2 |
| MATH 151 | 5 | CHEM 124 | 4 |
| BIOL 107 | 3 | COM 372 | 3 |
| Humanities 200-level Course | 3 | Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| COM 323 | 3 | COM 371 | 3 |
| COM 377 | 3 | Minor Elective | 3 |
| PHYS 123 | 4 | STS Elective1 | 3 |
| Mathematics/Science Elective | 3 | Science Elective2 | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 | Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| COM 435 | 3 | COM 440 | 3 |
| Minor Elective | 3 | Minor Elective | 3 |
| Mathematics/Science Elective | 3 | Mathematics/Science Elective | 3 |
| IPRO Elective I | 3 | Humanities or Social Sciences Elective | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | ||
| 18 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| STS Elective1 | 3 | COM 425 | 3 |
| Minor Elective | 3 | Minor Elective | 3 |
| Mathematics/Science Elective | 3 | Mathematics/Science Elective | 3 |
| Mathematics/Science Elective | 3 | Mathematics/Science Elective | 3 |
| IPRO Elective II | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: 126 | |||
