Communication for Scientists
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 36 hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
Prerequisites
100 credit points of studyAims and objectives
To enhance students’ employability by developing their skills to use appropriate communication channels and technology to effectively communicate scientific information to a broad range of audiences.
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Identify and apply the process of communicating science with key decision makers – science researchers, journalists, policy makers, public, business investors and stakeholders.
2. Critically analyse scientific communication from a variety of sources, including media, business, public, and science researchers and updated with the science communication events and news.
3. Evaluate and justify the choice and effectiveness of different scientific communication channels targeting a range of audiences.
4. Analyse and synthesise scientific information in order to develop and convey appropriate key messages from scientific information.
5. Apply a range of different communication channels and technologies to enhance scientific communication and employability skills
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
*Scheduled synchronous online Learning events (N/A)
Non-scheduled online learning events and activities (2 hours)
Other non-scheduled learning events and activities including independent study (approx. 110 hours)
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
| Assignments | Individual /Group | 60%-80% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Portfolio | Individual | 20%-40% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass the unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:
• an aggregate mark for the unit of 50% or more.
General skills outcomes
• Teamwork Skills
• Analysis Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Communication Skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently
Content
• Communicating Science with Scientists and the Academic Community
• Communicating Science within Media and Social Networking
• Communicating Science to Business and Industry Investors
• Communicating Science to the Public and to Consumers
• Communicating Science with Politicians and Policy Makers
• Tools and techniques for constructing and publishing key messages (Endnote, WordPress, Adobe Character Animator, various Social Networking Applications and more)
Study resources
- References.