Life sciences communication is the intersection of science, media, and society
Life sciences communication is one of the world’s leading science communication programs and integrates science, media, and society with effective communication strategies.
As a Life Sciences Communication major you will:
- Develop communication skills such as strategic communication, writing, marketing, visual communication, or digital media
- Explore how communication strategies vary across print, audio, video, and web multimedia platforms
- Learn how to effectively communicate complex science topics in areas such as disease outbreaks, gene editing, environmental and natural resources, agriculture, artificial intelligence, and more
Career Paths
Life sciences communication graduates are prepared for positions in communications, digital marketing, environmental advocacy, and research or consulting in a variety of industries including health care, media, education, agriculture, information technology, and life sciences.
Here are just a few examples of what our life sciences communication graduates are doing with their careers:
Your CALS Experience
Get involved. Find your people.
Explore a few of the science communication-related student organizations at UW–Madison:
- The Science Communication Club connects students interested in science communication with academic- and career-oriented opportunities and hosts life sciences communication faculty and experts in the field multiple times a semester.
- The Journal of Undergraduate Science and Technology (JUST) aims to provide an open-access platform for students to share their research. Students write, edit, design, and publish a bi-annual, interdisciplinary journal that’s shared with UW–Madison and Madison community.
Complement your coursework with study abroad
Strengthen your science communication skills through a diverse range of topics across the world. Study science at the University of Galway in Ireland, journalism and communications in Spain, and so much more.
You can also choose from one of UW–Madison’s many semester, summer, and short-term study abroad programs and map your study abroad experience as a life sciences communication major.
Gain real-world experience with an internship
Life sciences communication students can earn credit for their internships. Complement what you learn in class, gain real-world experience, and advance in your academic career with a semester or summer internship. Students have interned with marketing agencies, environmental and sustainability organizations, and healthcare and agricultural agencies.
Learn through hands-on experiences
Work directly with a client and solve real world problems in a number of life sciences communication classes. Past classes have created website redesign plans for the UW–Madison Arboretum, designed a COVID-19 vaccination campaign for University Health Services, and more.
Develop your multimedia skills through video, photography, digital design, and radio courses and use top of the line equipment such as radio labs, video production equipment, and professional editing software.
Connect with your faculty mentor
Every life sciences communication student is paired with a faculty mentor that they can connect with for their entire career as an LSC student. Discuss career paths, research opportunities on campus, internship options, general advice, and more with your mentor.
90%
Students who complete an internship
51%
Students who participate in research
50%
Students who pursue a double major or certificate
Advisor & Contact Information
Advisors can answer your questions, help you create a degree plan that meets your personal and professional goals, and connect you to resources across the UW–Madison campus.
Incoming students should reach out to CALS Academic Affairs to direct your questions. Current UW–Madison students should schedule with their assigned advisor using Starfish.
CALS Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706
academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-3003
Life Sciences Communication Advising
Hiram Smith Hall
1545 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706
lifescicomm@cals.wisc.edu
(608) 262-1464
Want to learn more about life sciences communication?