Undergraduate Course: Science Communication (MSBM10015)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Medical Sciences (Biomedical Sciences) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Description: The ability to engagement with the public on scientific issues is an essential skill for every scientist, and the aim of this course is to introduce students to the ways and means of communicating science to a wide, non-expert audience using a variety of media including radio, television, and print. The course will provide a practical training in the following:
? TV interviews
? Radio interviews
? Writing press releases
? Picking and researching a story
? Writing press articles
? Public speaking
? Preparing interactive demonstrations
? Preparing for school visits
The teaching will be based on practical experience including training in oral and print media presentations and small group discussions with journalists, press office staff, writers, and scientists involved in science communication.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Lecture | | 1-11 | | 14:00 - 17:00 | | | |
| First Class |
Week 1, Tuesday, 14:00 - 17:00, Zone: Central. Biomedical Seminar Room 7, BMTO, Doorway 3, Old Medical School, Teviot Place |
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Summary of learning outcomes:
? To appreciate and experience the scope of science communication
? To understand how to present a specific message to the public
? To gain practical experience of communicating science to the public
? To be able to write a press release
? To understand radio and TV interview techniques
? To apply the skills learnt to a specific scientific issue and age group
? To have acquired the skills to research and write story for the press
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Assessment Information
| 100% in-course assessment. This will consist of writing and presenting a case study on a topical science story chosen by the student. This should include a critical appraisal of the way the story is handled in different types and forms of media and the impact these may have on the general public. Students will be given feedback on their draft case studies prior to the deadline for submission. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | MEDSCIScicom |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Philip Larkman
Tel: (0131 6)50 3517
Email: P.Larkman@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Victoria Farrar
Tel: (0131 6)50 3717
Email: v.farrar@ed.ac.uk |
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© Copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 16 January 2012 6:27 am
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