This unit is intended for students who want to consolidate their research skills following an undergraduate major in science communication. Students carry out an original, individual research project with supervision. The project includes development of a testable hypothesis or research objectives in an area of science communication, selection and use of appropriate methods, execution of the project, analysis and interpretation of results, presentation of a seminar describing the project and completion of a written thesis incorporating all aspects of the work.

Outcomes: Students are able to (1) consolidate and build on the foundations of science communication established in their undergraduate program; (2) gain insight into the process of research by developing their research project under supervision; and (3) develop research skills including critical analysis of the literature, research design, data collection and analysis, interpretation of results and presentation of findings.

Entry requirements: the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in the Level 3 science communication units.

Intake periods: Beginning of year and mid-year

Honours in Science Communication can be taken as a specialisation in the following degrees:

Honours sequence

Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2
Take all units (36 points):
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit rules
S1, S2MIXD5005Designing Social Research
Prerequisites:
for the following postgraduate course students (International Relations, Strategic Communications, Asian Studies, International Development, Public Policy): 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; for other students: none.
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
SOCS5003 Research Design (ID 5135) BUSN4403 Business Research Methodology (ID 1661) GEOG5550 Research Design (ID 6181) EDUC5631 Approaches to Research (ID 3078)
S1, S2SCOM4402Science Communication Literature Review
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
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
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
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
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
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
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
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
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
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
Take option units to the value of 12 points (at least one at level 4) in consultation with the Science Communication Honours Coordinator:
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit rules