Science Communication
Module title | Science Communication |
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Module code | BIO3082 |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Dr Sophie Nedelec (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 0 | 11 | 0 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 70 |
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Module description
This module includes content delivered by a range of science communicators, ranging from senior scientists within Biosciences, to professional press officers and science communicators. Through the module you’ll gain an understanding of how science is shared with the public, for example via consideration of the Royal Society for Biology Parliamentary Links Day. We will examine strong and poor strategies for communicating science to various audiences and how science information and misinformation can be used to influence public perception. We will also examine the role of a range of media and, using case studies, consider the approach of the press and their impact on public/government. The module will draw on a range of topical examples, such as public health and environmental issues. This is a highly interactive module in which you will be required to work in groups for a portion of the time to produce both written documents and oral presentations (a proportion of the module marks will be assigned to the group), and individually to write a piece of biological journalism (assessed to give individual merit).
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to give you an understanding of how science is disseminated to a range of audiences including the public, governments, politicians and policy makers. We will also consider the role of communication with people of different backgrounds as a way of enhancing scientific investigation. You will examine strong and poor strategies for communicating science to various audiences and how science information and misinformation can be used to change public perception. You will examine the role of a range of modes and media for science communication. Using case studies, you will look at the approach of the press and the impact on public/government. You will use your reflections on these strategies to write your own article on a current story in Biosciences.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Illustrate and analyse the importance of effective communication of science to the public
- 2. Identify and apply effective communication strategies to produce an article
- 3. Critically evaluate the role of different types of media in the communication of science
- 4. Explain the impact of information and misinformation on the public, governments and policy makers
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Apply the principles of peer review to journalism, critically analysing both scientific journalism in the public domain and within your peer group
- 6. Effectively communicate complex scientific ideas to a wide range of audiences
- 7. Apply research-informed acquired knowledge and critical understanding from other biosciences modules
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Communicate effectively arguments, evidence and conclusions using written and oral means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
- 9. Devise and sustain, with little guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with sound, convincing conclusions
- 10. Analyse and evaluate appropriate data with very limited guidance
- 11. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines)
Syllabus plan
Introduction to communication strategies, the importance of effective communication of science for a range of audiences. Role of different media types; video, audio, student-led seminars. Written media: news and feature articles.
Accessibility statement:
This is a highly interactive module that requires students to undertake groupwork for two of the three summative assessments.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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21 | 129 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 18 | Lectures and seminars |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 3 | Film viewing session |
Guided Independent Study | 25 | General reading and research |
Guided Independent Study | 4 | Research for and writing of formative assessment |
Guided Independent Study | 25 | Research for group film |
Guided Independent Study | 25 | Research for group POSTnote |
Guided Independent Study | 50 | Research for and writing of the Scientific Article |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Lecturer feedback during contact sessions | Ad hoc | 1, 3-4, 7-8, 11 | Oral |
Q&A after group presentations | Ad hoc | 1, 3-4, 7-8 | Oral |
Headline or social media post | 50 words | 1, 3, 6-8 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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POSTnote (short briefing note for the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology outlining a key area of debate) | 20 | 1500 words (group work) | 1, 3-5, 7-11 | Written |
Film | 20 | 3 minutes (group work) | 5, 8, 10-11 | Written |
Scientific article | 60 | 1500 words | 2, 5-10 | Written |
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0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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POSTnote | POSTnote on same topic (individual) (20%) | 1, 3-5, 7-11 | August Ref/Def |
Film | Podcast on same topic (individual) (20%) | 5, 8, 10 | August Ref/Def |
Scientific article | Scientific article (60%) | 2, 5-10 | August Ref/Def |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Reading will be from the scientific literature, press and internet, as directed by the student and module coordinator.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | BIO2071 Research Skills and Bioethics or NSC2001 |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 6 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 24/11/2011 |
Last revision date | 30/10/2023 |