69364 Communicating Science and Vision
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Science communication is an umbrella term for the practice of informing and inspiring the public about scientific knowledge. In order to increase public understanding and appreciation of science, professionals must be able to explain scientific concepts succinctly to non-expert audiences.
The subject explores the important elements of science communications and empowers students to produce effective science communication through a range of media.
Students practice the techniques experts use to tell engaging science stories in order to bring complex ideas to life for a wide range of audiences. These highly transferrable skills prepare students for a diverse range of outward-facing leadership and advocacy roles where the effective communication of complex ideas is highly valued.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Identify and evaluate how to communicate science effectively and accurately. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Develop plans for communicating scientific concepts to non-expert audiences via engaging story-telling and other techniques. |
| 3. | Use a range of modes, technologies, and channels to practice effective and empowering communication strategies. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically appraise and apply advanced skills and knowledge to contribute to professional practice, leadership and scholarship relevant to medical science contexts. (1.1)
- Assess, argue for, and conduct appropriate independent research to solve complex problems contributing to a field of work or learning to address medical or health research needs. (2.1)
- Reflexively determine the value, integrity, and relevance of multiple sources of information and engage with abstract concepts to derive innovative solutions to complex medical science problems. (4.1)
- Independently and collaboratively present and communicate complex ideas and justifications using appropriate communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, visual and digital) to communicate with discipline experts, health and medical professionals, consumers, scientists, industry, and the community. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Communicating Science and Vision is a core subject for the Master in Medical Science Leadership (CO4451) course. This subject links to the desired Faculty of Science graduate attributes of:
1. Disciplinary knowledge
This subject provides students with knowledge of how to understand, translate, and communicate scientific information accurately and effectively. It does this by demonstrating how to synthesise information in a scientific paper, how to tell a scientific story in an entertaining way, and how to create media for different channels. The subject achieves this through delivery of the curriculum, which is reinforced through participation in online discussions and interactive activities, as well as the assessments that each cover the core concepts.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
It has been said that to truly understand something you should be able to communicate it clearly. The ability to read and translate complex scientific information for a lay audience, as a core concept taught in this course, is therefore an exercise in critical thinking. This course also teaches students how to evaluate scientific information critically, avoiding logical fallacies and other pitfalls that erode trust in science communication. Students will research and inquire about a topic of their choice for the assessment tasks.
4. Reflection, Innovation and Creativity
This course provides multiple opportunities for reflection, innovation, and creativity. This course will cover the vast number of communication channels now available to science communicators and will provide tips on how to create effective communication pieces for them. It will also provide information on how to measure success, and how to adapt communication following the receipt of feedback. Building on these foundations, students will be creative and innovative in the completion of their assignments, and will reflect on the success of their communicative efforts.
5. Communication
This course, and all topics taught within it, centres around accurate and effective communication. This subject explores the ‘conundrum’ of science communication: that accurate science communication can be dull, whereas science communication that is entertaining can be inaccurate. Therefore, students will learn from a range of professionals and experts in the field about how to produce science communication that is both accurate and entertaining, and this will be reflected in their assessments and activities.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is delivered online with all subject material provided through Canvas. Each week, students will engage with the subject material, working through the prepared content, examples, and interactive activities at their own pace. Students explore the subject-matter through a range of interactive content, media and case studies and participate in peer-connected learning activities, including formative quizzes and discussion boards, to build the required skills and knowledge in a collaborative online environment. Assessments in this course are designed to complement student learning, providing them with opportunities to apply and monitor their skill development and grasp of essential concepts. Students will receive formative feedback on their work throughout the session.
Content (topics)
This course is designed to provide you with an understanding of how to synthesise scientific information, how to produce accurate and effective science communication, and how to be responsible and flexible in science communication. See below for specific topics to be covered:
- Module 1 Topic 1: Why communicate science?
- Module 1 Topic 2: Communicating to a public audience
- Module 1 Topic 3: Media planning
- Module 2 Topic 1: Communicating science aimed at behavioural change
- Module 2 Topic 2: Storytelling in science
- Module 2 Topic 3: Tips for creating media for specific channels
- Module 3 Topic 1: Fighting misinformation
- Module 3 Topic 2: Generative AI
- Module 3 Topic 3: Flexibility and adaptation in science communication
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Module Quiz
| Intent: | 1. Disciplinary knowledge. 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 10 questions in length, 2 of which will be short answer. |
| Criteria: | Refer to Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: Media Plan
| Intent: | 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 2000-2500 words. |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria and rubrics are available on Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Media Submission
| Intent: | 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical thinking |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Will vary depending on the submission type. Please see Canvas for specific guidelines. Reflection piece is 400-450 words. |
| Criteria: | Marking criteria and rubrics are available on Canvas. |