Science Communication major
If you are creative, enjoy science, and want to work with people, Science Communication is for you. Science communicators use their knowledge of both science and communication in a range of media to increase engagement with important issues that have science at their core. This major will teach you how to communicate effectively with diverse audiences ranging from school children to scientists, using a range of media and genres from digital media to exhibitions. Science Communication provides you with excellent written, oral and visual communication skills, and you will meet and work with industry experts, enhancing your networking and employment opportunities. This major must be taken in conjunction with another science major, giving you both sound scientific knowledge and highly marketable communication skills.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) understand how scientific knowledge is made and be able to interpret scientific information; (2) create effective and engaging materials in a range of media to communicate scientific information to diverse audiences using appropriate conventions; (3) create effective strategies that identify and align purpose, key messages, and media with specific audiences; (4) appraise the social context in which both science and science communication occur; and (5) demonstrate a capacity for self-reflection and an understanding of ethical issues in both science and science communication.
Second major
Science Communication can only be taken as a second major in conjunction with a degree-specific Science major in the following degree courses:
Overview of unit sequence
The Science Communication second major is a single major comprising:
- two Level 1 units
- three Level 2 units
- three Level 3 units
Key to availability of units: |
---|
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; NS = non-standard teaching period |
Level 1
Take all units (12 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S2 | PSYC1102 | Psychology: Behaviour in Context | |
S1 | SCOM1101 | Communicating Science |
|
Level 2
Take all units (12 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1, NS | COMM2002 | Digital Media | |
S1 | SCOM2208 | Science Writing |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S1, S2 | SCIE2205 | Science Work Placement |
|
S1, S2 | SCIE2206 | Science Consultancy Project |
|
Level 3
Take all units (18 points):
Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
---|---|---|---|
S2 | SCOM3205 | Science Presentations |
|
S1 | SCOM3319 | Exhibitions and Interpretation |
|
S2 | SCOM3325 | Science Communication as an Academic Discipline |
|
Choosing a second major
The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you the option of including a second major. You have the choice to either nominate your second major when you first enrol in the course or delay it until your second year. For a major to be recorded on your academic record it must be nominated before the requirements of the course are completed.
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how Science Communication can be included as second major in an undergraduate degree course.
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .