Undergraduate Course: Science Communication (BIME10015)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | It is becoming increasingly important to engage non-specialist audiences with scientific research in order to maximise the impact and benefits of the research for a diverse range of stakeholders e.g. businesses, public services, the school education system, policy makers and also to engage the media effectively. This course introduces students to key principles for engaging with non-specialist audiences and explores a range of methodologies to enable this engagement. The focus for the student will be the exemplification of an area of School of Biomedical Sciences research.
The course combines theory and practical experience and is delivered by a range of practitioners including the course organisers. The course explores the development of science communication as a practice, introduces the student to key principles, explores the relationship between science and the media, and the importance of evaluation of engagement practice. The student is supported in the development of key skills through practice experience.
In addition to in-course practical experience, students will complete a one-day, ¿Science Communication Task¿, in which they are placed with a science communication practitioner within the university to gain experience by assisting with a public event or task, e.g. a school workshop, shadowing in the press office, or science writing.
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| Course description |
Co Course Organiser: Dr Elizabeth Stevenson
Contributors: Tom Pringle and UoE Press Office
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | N/A |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 30,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Formative Assessment Hours 3,
Summative Assessment Hours 6,
Other Study Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
145 )
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| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
student placement
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Presentation 40 %, Essay 30%, Sci-comm resource 30% |
| Feedback |
Students will receive a mark and written feedback on their performance. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- To gain an appreciation and understanding of the broad scope of science communication through practical experience and engagement with the literature.
- To develop skills in engaging non-specialist audiences with science and to build confidence and the ability in researching, designing and presenting an engaging scientific presentation and resource for a non-specialist audience.
- To gain practical experience in science communication
- To develop an understanding of the relationship between science and the media.
- To develop an understanding of the evaluation process and its role in enhancing quality in public engagement
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Reading List
| Students are expected to conduct their own reading around the topics covered in the course, and the references below provide guidance and suggestions. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | SciCom |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Janet Paterson
Tel:
Email: Janet.Paterson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Lisa Ketchion
Tel: (0131 6)51 1629
Email: Lisa.Ketchion@ed.ac.uk |
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