The Department of Life Sciences Communication is a world leader in science communication research, education, and practice. We offer a master's degree with the opportunity to pursue either a research/thesis pathway or professional course-based pathway.<br><br>The professional pathway is a course-based program that is designed to prepare students for professional careers in life sciences communication and related fields. Students in this pathway will not usually pursue a PhD program in the future. In fact, many doctoral programs (including Life Sciences Communication) do not accept a non-thesis master's as a criterion for admission to their PhD program.<br><br>Teaching and research in the department focus on science communication in the areas of emerging technologies, bioenergy, environment, agriculture, health, and food. The MS in Life Sciences Communication graduate program provides advanced professional training in communication and preparation for communication research and teaching. Students in the professional pathway MS program are studying for careers in fields such as consulting, policy, journalism, strategic communication, marketing, and market research, particularly in science-related fields.