Bachelor of Science in Communication: Journalism of Science
Students earning the communication degree specialize in one of four areas: general communication, professional and technical communication (PTC), journalism of science (JS), or journalism of technology and business (JTB). All COM majors take coursework in editing, persuasion, communication law and ethics, and science and technology in society. PTC specialists add courses in document design, graphic and/or web design, linguistics, art and architectural history, and more. Journalism specialists add courses in journalism, mass media, and intercultural communication; JS specialists add courses in math and science, science writing, and philosophy of science, while JTB specialists take courses in economics, business, information technology, writing about technology, and history of technology.
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 | |
| Basic Physics II | 3 | |
or PHYS 221 | General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | |
| Mathematics and Science Electives | (21) | |
| Select 21 credit hours | 21 | |
| Computer Science Requirement | (2) | |
| See IIT Core Curriculum, section D | 2 | |
| Science and Technology in Society (STS) Electives | (6) | |
| Select 6 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 IIT Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Introduction to the Profession | (3) | |
| Select 3 credit hours | 3 | |
| Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) | (6) | |
| See IIT 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 | |||
| 1 | |
| 2 | Select from: BIOL 114 or BIOL 115, CHEM 125 or CHEM 126, PHYS 212 or PHYS 221. |
