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Study information

Science Communication

Module titleScience Communication
Module codeBIO3082
Academic year2023/4
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Sophie Nedelec (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

0

11

0

Number students taking module (anticipated)

70

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 ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
211290

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching18Lectures and seminars
Scheduled Learning and Teaching3Film viewing session
Guided Independent Study25General reading and research
Guided Independent Study4Research for and writing of formative assessment
Guided Independent Study25Research for group film
Guided Independent Study25Research for group POSTnote
Guided Independent Study50Research for and writing of the Scientific Article

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Lecturer feedback during contact sessionsAd hoc1, 3-4, 7-8, 11Oral
Q&A after group presentationsAd hoc1, 3-4, 7-8Oral
Headline or social media post50 words1, 3, 6-8Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
POSTnote (short briefing note for the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology outlining a key area of debate)201500 words (group work)1, 3-5, 7-11Written
Film203 minutes (group work)5, 8, 10-11Written
Scientific article601500 words2, 5-10Written
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0
0
0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
POSTnotePOSTnote on same topic (individual) (20%)1, 3-5, 7-11August Ref/Def
FilmPodcast on same topic (individual) (20%)5, 8, 10August Ref/Def
Scientific articleScientific article (60%)2, 5-10August 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

Key words search

Science communication, science journalism, scientific reporting, scientific writing

Credit value15
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