Second Major Overview

Description

Note: this major is only available to re-enrolling students.

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; (5) demonstrate a capacity for self-reflection and an understanding of ethical issues in both science and science communication; and (6) apply the knowledge and skills required for employment related to science communication.

Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Courses

Science Communication can only be taken as a second major in conjunction with a degree-specific Science major in the following degree courses:

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
SS
summer teaching period
N/A
not available in 2023 – may be available in 2024 or 2025

Level 1

Second major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 PSYC1102 Psychology: Behaviour in Context None
S1 SCOM1101 Communicating Science
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Mathematics Applications
or ATAR Subject(s) WACE Mathematics 2C/2D or equivalent
Co-requisites
Enrolment in
Or Successful completion of
Unit(s) MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals

Level 2

Second major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 COMM2002 Digital Media
Prerequisites
24 credit points at Level 1
Incompatibility
COMM2203 Digital Media
S1 SCOM2208 Science Writing
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
36 points in your chosen degree
or Enrolment in
51580 Master of Science Communication
Second major units

Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2, SS SCIE2205 Science Work Placement
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Bachelor of Science (BP004)
or the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BP006)
or the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) (BH005) and completion of 60 points of study at UWA and approval of the unit coordinator.
S2 SCIE2206 Science Consultancy Project
Prerequisites
enrolment in
the Bachelor of Science (BP004)
or the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BP006)
or the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) (BH005), completion of 48 points of study at UWA, WAM of 65% or higher and approval of unit coordinator.

Level 3

Second major units

Take all units (18 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
N/A SCOM3205 Science Presentations
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
MJS-SCCOM Science Communication
Incompatibility
Unit(s) SCOM2205 Science Presentations
S1 SCOM3319 Exhibitions 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)
N/A SCOM3325 Science Communication as an Academic Discipline
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
level 2 Unit(s) COMM2xxx
or level 2 Unit(s) SCOM2xxx
Incompatibility
Unit(s) SCOM5311 Science Communication as an Academic Discipline