Writing for scientific publication represents an opportunity to interact with colleagues and make a positive contribution to the academic community. However, there is a growing concern regarding the ability of graduate students' to transfer writing skill sets learned at the graduate and undergraduate levels into professional settings. The main research question in this quantitative correlational study explored potential relationships between the publication rates and the number and types of English and composition classes taken by survey participants. Fischerian development, life course theory, and phenomenological sociology framed this study. Participants from private, public, and commercial institutions of higher learning in the United States participated. Data were analyzed using correlational, chi-square, ANOVA, and multiple regression techniques to reveal relationships between the number and types of English and composition classes taken and publication rates. Open-ended questions gathered opinions about scientific writing and writing class experiences and helped triangulate the findings. The results suggested a relationship between publication rates and number of English and composition classes among certain physics specializations and a need for physics institutions to create specialized publishing courses. The results may lead to positive social change by facilitating the examination of writing within particular physics specializations and motivating the creation of departmental constructed writing courses targeting the scientific community responsible for producing technically skilled literate workers. This could enable increased sharing of scientific findings with professional societies. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]