Course overview

Description

Students learn principles of effective science communication, develop practical skills necessary for effective science communication, and design strategies that address communication needs of groups such as government organisations, informal museums, science centres and research centres. Students will gain an understanding of the theory underlying the discipline and be able to apply their knowledge to a research project.

Course title
Master of Science Communication (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
Award abbreviation
MSc(Comm)
Course code
51580
Course type
Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
Status
Current / 2025
Administered by
Biological Sciences
CRICOS code
061841J

Course details

Intake periods
Beginning of year and mid-year
Attendance type
Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
Articulation
The Master of Science Communication has the following exit awards: 51240 Graduate Certificate in Science Communication (24 points) (24 points), 51340 Graduate Diploma in Science Communication (48 points) (48 points)
Credit points required
96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester.
Standard course duration
1.5 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 points of taught units and 24 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
Maximum course duration
2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 96 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
Time limit
5 years
Delivery mode
Internal
Locations offered
UWA (Perth)
Domestic fee type
Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP; or postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-HELP
Available to international students
Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
Course Coordinator(s)
Dr Heather Bray
Fees
Visit the fees calculator.

Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.

No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027
NS
non-standard teaching period

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

Students who have not completed prior tertiary studies in science communication including a minor in Science Communication, or equivalent, must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2SCIE4403Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science
Incompatibility
Successful completion of
SCOM1101 Communicating Science (ID 1553)
or SCOX1101 Communicating Science
Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester.
S2SCOM2205Science PresentationsNoneLectures: 1 hour recorded content eg 3 x 20 mins per week Workshops: 1 x 2 hours per week
S1SCOM2208Science Writing
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
36 points in your chosen degree
or Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
lectures: 3 x 20 minute online lectures per week; workshops: 1 x 2 hours per week
S1SCOM3319Exhibitions and Interpretation
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
Minor(s) MNR-SCCOM Science Communication
or Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or Successful completion of
48 points Unit(s)
lectures: 3 x 20 mins of online lectures per week workshops: 2 hours per week

Take all units (36 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSCOMM5704Global Media and Cross-cultural CommunicationNone24–36 hours
NSPOLS5501The Politics of Public Policy
Incompatibility
LAWS5214 Public Policy
18 hours per semester.
S1, S2SCIE5004Professional Skills in Science
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 51580 Master of Science Communication
or 70550 Master of Bioinformatics
or 71580 Master of Biotechnology
or 72520 Master of Biological Science 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
and Successful completion of
48 points in your chosen degree
S1, S2SCOM4402Synthesising Research Literature: Reviewing, Analysing, and Reporting
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication (ID 189)
or HON-SCCOM Science Communication
or 90620 Master of Clinical Research (ID 142)
or 12560 Master of Social Research Methods (ID 377)
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
online workshop: 2 hours per week
S2SCOM5309Citizen ScienceNoneLectures: 3 x 15 minute online lectures per week for 11 weeks Workshops: 12 x 2 hour workshops Self-directed learning (reading/online): 2 hours per week for 10 weeks
NSSCOM5311Science and Society
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
Incompatibility
Unit(s) SCOM3325 Science Communication as an Academic Discipline
6 x 20 minute online lectures per week; 2 x 2 hour workshop per week

Take one unit to the value of 6 points from this group (6 points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2SCIE5304Science Practicum
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or 73530 Master of Agricultural Economics
or 72510 Master of Agricultural Science
or 71530 Master of Biological Arts
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or 71520 Master of Biomedical Science
or 73550 Master of Business Psychology
or 72530 Master of Environmental Science
or 52510 Master of Exercise Science
or 71570 Master of Geographic Information Science
or 74540 Master of Marine Biology
or 71590 Master of Oceanography and approval of the unit coordinator
100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review.
NS, S1, S2SVLG5001McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship
Prerequisites
The vast Majority of students - No prerequistes
or Enrolment in
20820 Juris Doctor and the following units ( LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering
and LAWS4102 Criminal Law .
and LAWS4103 Contract
and LAWS4104 Property
and LAWS4106 Torts
and LAWS4109 Legal Theory and Ethics
)
Incompatibility
for Juris Doctor students: LAWS5174 Legal Internship
Internship experience: approximately 100 hours; McCusker Centre attendance: approximately 8 hours

For students in course by coursework and dissertation only, take all units (30points):

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1, S2SCOM5810Science Communication Dissertation Part 1
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or HON-SCCOM Science Communication (ID 4612)
and Successful completion of
Unit(s) SCOM4402 Science Communication Literature Review (ID 4530)
and Unit(s) SOCS5003 Research Design (ID 5135) and satisfy eligibility criteria for research project
or dissertation
as arranged with unit coordinator
S1, S2SCOM5811Science Communication Dissertation Part 2
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or HON-SCCOM Science Communication
and Successful completion of
Unit(s) SCOM4402 Science Communication Literature Review
and Unit(s) SOCS5003 Research Design
as arranged with unit coordinator
S1, S2SCOM5812Science Communication Dissertation Part 3
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or HON-SCCOM Science Communication
and Successful completion of
Unit(s) SCOM4402 Science Communication Literature Review
and Unit(s) SOCS5003 Research Design
as arranged with unit coordinator
S1, S2SCOM5813Science Communication Dissertation Part 4
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
or HON-SCCOM Science Communication
and Successful completion of
Unit(s) SCOM4402 Science Communication Literature Review
and Unit(s) SOCS5003 Research Design
as arranged with unit coordinator
NSSOCS4100Social Sciences Research Skills
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
any Honours Programme
or a Masters dissertation project.
Incompatibility
COMM4101 Concepts in Communication, COMM7481 Honours Seminar 1 (Communication Studies)
seminars: 4 hours per week

For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 30 points.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSCOMM5605Issues in Global Journalism and Strategic CommunicationNoneUp to 24 hours
NSCOMM5701Strategic Communications in a Digital EraNoneup to 24 hours
NSCOMM5702Digital Media: Theory and PracticeNonelectures: up to 1 hr per week. seminars: 2 hours per week for 6 weeks
N/ACOMM5705Representation and PromotionNone24–36 hours
NSEDUC5608Integrating Pedagogy and TechnologyNone4 days of intensive teaching
S2EDUC5636Assessment, Data and LearningNoneFace to face with intensive sessions
S1EDUC5658Globalising Education PolicyNone9 x 2 hour face to face workshops
NSPOLS5010NGOs, Governance and DevelopmentNoneseminars: 18 hours
S1PUBH5749Foundations of Public HealthNonelectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week
S1PUBH5754Health Promotion INonelectures: 3 hours per week
S2PUBH5805Qualitative Research Methods in HealthNoneseminar: 3 hours per week
S2SCIE4481Good, Bogus and Corrupted Science
Prerequisites
enrolment in
honours
or postgraduate course
seminars: 3 hours per week for 12 weeks—theory is provided by the unit coordinators and guest speakers; tutorials: 2 hour per week for 12 weeks—students present cases of bogus and corrupted science in classes, discuss further the material covered in the seminars, and are asked to support their learning with examples of their choice, thus guaranteeing a multidisciplinary flavour to this unit. The advanced academic training and research experience required of the postgraduate and honours students attending this unit provide the grounds for scholarly and informed discussions during the tutorials.
S1, S2SCOM4402Synthesising Research Literature: Reviewing, Analysing, and Reporting
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication (ID 189)
or HON-SCCOM Science Communication
or 90620 Master of Clinical Research (ID 142)
or 12560 Master of Social Research Methods (ID 377)
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
online workshop: 2 hours per week

See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.

Rules

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules

2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).

(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.

English Language competency requirements

3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.

Admission requirements

4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;

and

(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;

Admission ranking and selection

5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

Articulations and exit awards

6.(1) This course has the following exit awards:

  • 51240 Graduate Certificate in Science Communication (24 points)
  • 51340 Graduate Diploma in Science Communication (48 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Science Communication course before completing it, but after completing 24 points excluding conversion units, with at least 12 points of core units, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Science Communication.

(3) A student who withdraws from the Master of Science Communication course before completing it, but after completing 48 points excluding conversion units, with at least 24 points of core units, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Science Communication.

Course structure

7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points (maximum value) which include conversion units to a value of 24 points.

(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.

(3) Students who have completed prior tertiary studies in science communication including a minor in Science Communication, or equivalent, are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.

Satisfactory progress

8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.

Progress status

10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.

(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—

(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';

(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';

(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.

11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.

Award with distinction

12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—

(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;

(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;

and

(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.

Deferrals

13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).

Additional rules
Research Project

14. Students who wish to undertake a Research Project must—

(a) have a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units in their UWA undergraduate major. These units must be relevant to the master's specialisation;

or

(b) have a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3, 4 and 5 units completed within the course; or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty.