Postgraduate Course: Science and Society B (BIME11088)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biomedical Sciences | 
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine | 
 
| Course type | Online Distance Learning | 
Availability | Not available to visiting students | 
 
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) | 
Credits | 10 | 
 
| Home subject area | Biomedical Sciences | 
Other subject area | None | 
   
| Course website | 
None | 
Taught in Gaelic? | No | 
 
| Course description | The course will examine the nature of scientific knowledge. It will explore the scientific method, reflect on established and contested aspects of scientific knowledge and their application in technological advances.   Students will examine the communication of science within and beyond the academic community and develop an awareness of how perceptions and (mis) understandings arise.  Using contemporary examples and contexts, students will discuss potential stakeholders for issues involving science and identify sources of information, misinformation available to the stakeholders. The course will explore the role of the media in science communication and the alignment and tensions between the objectives of the scientist and the media. | 
 
 
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites | 
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Co-requisites |  | 
 
| Prohibited Combinations |  | 
Other requirements |  None | 
 
| Additional Costs |  None | 
 
 
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2014/15  Semester 2, Not available to visiting students (SS1) 
  
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Learn enabled:  Yes | 
Quota:  None | 
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Web Timetable  | 
	
Web Timetable | 
 
| Course Start Date | 
12/01/2015 | 
 
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) | 
 
 Total Hours:
100
(
Online Activities 45,
 Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
53 )
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| Additional Notes | 
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) | 
 
  Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| No Exam Information | 
 
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes 
On completion of the course, you will be able to demonstrate: 
An understanding of the nature of science and how it is communicated. 
An understanding of the differing motivations and perceptions in non-specialist engagement with science. 
An understanding of the scientist/media relationship. | 
 
 
Assessment Information 
1.Critical assessment of a selected report /review on the nature of the science media interaction. (2000 words). 
2.A press release for a selected topic. (300 words) 
 
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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 | SCPE-OLDL-SSb | 
 
 
Contacts 
| Course organiser | Dr Elizabeth Stevenson 
Tel: (0131 6)50 3258 
Email: E.Stevenson@ed.ac.uk | 
Course secretary | Mrs Marie Manson 
Tel: (0131 6)50 3289 
Email: Marie.Manson@ed.ac.uk | 
   
 
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© Copyright 2014 The University of Edinburgh -  29 August 2014 3:32 am 
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