Course details : UWA Handbook 2020 : The University of Western Australia

Master of Science Communication (coursework or coursework and dissertation)

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 overview

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 / 2020
Administered by: Faculty of Science
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 Faculty
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: Postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-HELP
Course Coordinator(s): Dr Heather Bray & Dr Sam Illingworth
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.

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2020; NS = non-standard teaching period

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

Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2021 or 2022.

Students who have not completed prior tertiary studies in science communication, or equivalent, must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the Faculty:

Availability	Unitcode	Unitname	Unit requirements	Contact hours
S1	SCOM2208	Science Writing	Prerequisites: completion of 36 credit points or enrolment in the Master of Science Communication (51580) Incompatibility: COMM3324 Science Communication—Writing	lectures: 4 x 15 minute online lectures per week; workshops: 1 x 2 hours per week
S2	SCOM3205	Science Presentations	Prerequisites: SCOM2208 Science Writing Incompatibility: SCOM2205 Science Presentations	1 hour (total) online lectures per week. 1 x 2 hour workshop per week.
S1	SCOM3319	Exhibitions and Interpretation	Prerequisites: any Level 2 COMM unit or any Level 2 SCOM unit or enrolment in Master of Science Communication (51580)	workshops: 3 hours per week
S2	SCOM3321	Science and the Media	Prerequisites: any Level 2 COMM unit or any Level 2 SCOM unit or enrolment in Master of Science Communication (51580)	tutorials: 3 hours per week

Take all units (36 points):

Availability	Unitcode	Unitname	Unit requirements	Contact hours
S1, S2	SCIE5304	Science Practicum	Prerequisites: enrollment in Master of Science Communication (51580) or the Master of Exercise Science (52510), or the Master of Environmental Science (72530), or the Master of Biological Science (72520), or the Master of Biological Arts (71530), or the Master of Agricultural Science (72510), or the Master of Biomedical Science (71520) and approval of the unit coordinator	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.
S1	SCOM4402	Science Communication Literature Review	Prerequisites: enrolment in Science Communication honours or Master of Science Communication (51580) or Master of Clinical Research (90620) or Master of Social Science Research Methods (12560)	as arranged with unit coordinator
S2	SCOM5302	Contemporary Issues in Science Communication		as arranged with unit coordinator
S2	SCOM5309	Citizen Science		Lectures: 4 x 15 minute online lectures per week for 6 weeks Workshops: 6 x 4 hour workshops Self-directed learning (reading/online): 2 hours per week for 10 weeks
NS	SOCS5003	Research Design	Prerequisites: for Social Research Methods students and Science Communication students : none; for other postgraduate course (International Relations, Strategic Communications, Asian Studies, International Development, Public Policy) students: completion of 24 points of their coursework, three core units and one option unit, and have achieved a 70 per cent WAM in those units.	up to 30 hours
NS	SOCS5501	Evaluation		Taught intensively over 6 weeks (second half of S1),

For students in course by coursework and dissertation only, take all units (24 points):

Availability	Unitcode	Unitname	Unit requirements	Contact hours
S1, S2	SCOM5810	Science Communication Dissertation Part 1	Prerequisites: enrolment in the Master of Science Communication (51580) and SCOM4402 Science Communication Literature Review and SOCS5003 Research Design. Students who want to undertake a research project as an optional unit must have (a)(i) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units in their undergraduate major. These units must be relevant to the master's specialisation; or (ii) the equivalent of a UWA 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; and (b) a supervisor, approved by the Faculty, must have confirmed their willingness and availability to supervise the research project.	as arranged with unit coordinator
S1, S2	SCOM5811	Science Communication Dissertation Part 2	Prerequisites: enrolment in the Master of Science Communication (51580) or honours in Science Communication and SCOM4402 Science Communication Literature Review and SOCS5003 Research Design	as arranged with unit coordinator
S1, S2	SCOM5812	Science Communication Dissertation Part 3	Prerequisites: enrolment in the Master of Science Communication (51580) or honours in Science Communication and SCOM4402 Science Communication Literature Review and SOCS5003 Research Design	as arranged with unit coordinator
S1, S2	SCOM5813	Science Communication Dissertation Part 4	Prerequisites: enrolment in the Master of Science Communication (51580) or honours in Science Communication and SCOM4402 Science Communication Literature Review and SOCS5003 Research Design	as arranged with unit coordinator

For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 36 points of which at least 6 points (one unit) must be taken at Level 5. For students in course by coursework and dissertation only, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:

Group B

Availability	Unitcode	Unitname	Unit requirements	Contact hours
S1, S2	APHB5510	Advanced Aesthetic Crossovers of Art and Science	Incompatibility: VISA2214 Aesthetic Crossovers of Art and Science	lectures: 1 hour per week; labs/tutorials: 2 hours per week
S2	APHB5511	Advanced Art and Life Manipulation	Incompatibility: VISA2249 Art and Life Manipulation	lectures: 1 hour per week; labs/tutorials: 2 hours per week
NS	COMM5303	Communication Strategies for Change	Prerequisites: enrolment in a postgraduate course Incompatibility: COMM3303/COMM8303 Science Communication for Change in Industry and Community; SCOM3320 Communication Strategies for Change	lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials/practicals: 1 hour per week
NS	COMM5605	Issues in Contemporary Global Journalism		24 hours
NS	COMM5701	Strategic Communications in a Digital Era		up to 24 hours
S1	COMM5702	Digital Media: Theory and Practice		up to 24 hours
NS	COMM5703	Communication, Innovation and Project Management		up to 24 hours
N/A	COMM5704	Global Media and Cross-cultural Communication		24–36 hours
N/A	COMM5705	Representation and Promotion		24–36 hours
S1	EDUC5492	Understanding and Managing Disruptive Behaviour Disorders		lectures/seminars: 2.5 hours per week for 10 weeks
NS	EDUC5494	Approaches to Student Assessment		lectures/seminars: 2.5 hours per week (for 10 weeks)
NS	EDUC5608	Integrating Pedagogy and Technology		lectures: 2.5 hours per week for 10 weeks—face-to-face (50 per cent) and online (50 per cent)
NS	EDUC5631	Approaches to Research	Prerequisites: enrolment in one of the following courses: Master of Educational Leadership (30520); Master of Education (30580); Graduate Diploma in Professional Education (31310); Graduate Diploma in Educational Assessment; Master of Education (31500); Master of Teaching (31520); Master of Education in Assessment, Measurement and Evaulation (31530); Master of Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (31560); Master of Educational Studies (31600); Master of Special Education (31620); Master of Education in Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation (31630); Master of Educational Leadership (31650); Master of Education (31670); Master of Education (31700); Graduate Diploma in Curriculum Studies (32310); Graduate Diploma in School Leadership (32320); Master of Curriculum Studies (32510); Master of School Leadership (32520)	25 hours compressed mode over 4 full days; offshore as required
N/A	EDUC5633	Quantitative Inquiry		25 hours
N/A	EDUC5634	Qualitative Inquiry		25 hours
NS	EDUC5658	Globalising Education Policy		up to 4x6 hour sessions held on Saturdays
S1	GEOG5502	Conservation, Development and Sustainability	Incompatibility: SOCS5502 Conservation, Development and Sustainability	lectures/discussions: 2 hours per week for 10 weeks
NS	HERI5101	Debates in Contemporary Heritage Studies		4 hours per week (over 6 weeks from week 1)
S2	MKTG5406	Buyer Behaviour and Decision Making		lectures/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week
NS	MKTG5604	Technology Commercialisation	Prerequisites: MKTG5503 Enterprise and Innovation or enrolment in the Master of Professional Engineering (Biomedical Engineering specialisation) Incompatibility: MKTG5603 Management of Technology and Innovation	lectures/seminars: 36 hours (12 x 3 hours)
S1	PUBH5754	Health Promotion I		lectures: 3 hours per week
S1	PUBH5805	Qualitative Research Methods in Health		lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week
S1, S2	SCIE4403	The Conduct, Ethics and Communication of Science	Prerequisites: enrolment in postgraduate course or honours	7 workshops running once a fortnight. This unit runs in both Semester 1 and Semester 2 and taken in either semester.
S2	SCIE4481	Good, 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.
N/A	SOCS5005	Social Research Ethics		24 hours—taught intensively and may include evening and/or Saturday classes
N/A	SOCS5009	Innovative Social Research Methods		up to 3 hours per week
NS	SOCS5010	NGOs, Governance and Development		seminars: 18 hours
S1	SSEH5491	Health Education	Prerequisites: enrolment in Master of Teaching (Secondary)	lectures: 3 hours per week
NS	SSEH5492	Health Promotion in the Schools	Prerequisites: enrolment in Master of Teaching (Secondary)	lectures: 3 hours per week; field work/labs: 2 hours per week; one debating night
S1	SSEH5654	Fundamentals in Research Methods	Prerequisites: enrolment in the Bachelor of Exercise Rehabilitation Science honours; or postgraduate study in Sport Science, Exercise and Health; or the Master of Exercise Science (coursework) (52510); or the Graduate Diploma in Sport and Recreation Management (51390)	lectures/seminars: 3 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 http://handbooks.uwa.edu.au/postgraduate/student-procedures'>student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials module

2.(1) Except as stated in (2), 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).

(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the ACE module is not required to repeat the module.

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 of Science; or a bachelor's degree with a major in Communication and Media Studies; 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, and has completed four units at level 4/5 three of which must be core, may apply to the Faculty to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Science Communication.

(3) A student who withdraws from the Master of Science Communication course before completing it, eight units at level 4/5 four of which must be core, may apply to the Faculty 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, or equivalent, are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.

Satisfactory progress

8. A student who does not pass units to a value of at least half the total points value of units for which they are enrolled, or who fails the same unit twice, will not have made satisfactory progress.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the ACE 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. A student who fails to make satisfactory progress under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded' unless the Faculty decides otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances.

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.

Additional rules

Research Project

13. 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;

(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.