For this general career goal area, we recommend either the General Astronomy track with a preparation level equivalent to the requirements for a High School Teacher or the Astrophysics/Physics track.  General scientific knowledge, public policy knowledge, AND good writing and speaking skills are required for this career goal.  Recent graduates of our program have gone on to Masters’ degree programs in science and public policy and energy policy.

Specifically, if you can choose the General Astronomy track, it is highly recommended that you choose to fulfill your sophomore level requirements with either:

  • PHYS 2130 General Physics 3 (3) or
  • PHYS 2170 Foundations of Modern Physics (3)

Take ASTR 4800 Space Science: Practice and Policy (3) in our department and consider taking one or more of the following science policy courses in other disciplines:

  • PSCI 2101 Intro to Public Policy Analysis (3)
  • ATOC 4800 Policy Implication of Climate Controversy (3)
  • ENVS 4100 Topics in Environmental Policy (3)
  • PHYS 3000 Science and Public Policy (3)

as well as courses offered by staff in the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research like:

  • ENVS 4800 Making Decisions in a Complicated World (3)
  • ENVS 5000 Policy, Science and the Environment (3)

Enhance your communication skills by taking one or more of the following writing or communications courses:

  • PHYS 3050 Writing in Physics (3)
  • ENVS 3020 Advanced Writing in Environmental Studies (3)
  • WRTG 3030 Writing on Science and Society (3)
  • WRTG 3035 Technical Communication and Design (3)
  • JOUR 4872/ENVS 4800 Science & Environmental Journalism (3)
  • COMM 3320 Persuasion in Society (3) or COMM 3340 Political Communication (3)