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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2015/2016

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Deanery of Biomedical Sciences : Biomedical Sciences

Undergraduate Course: Science Communication (BIME10015)

Course Outline
SchoolDeanery of Biomedical Sciences CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryIt is becoming increasingly important to engage non-specialist audiences with scientific research in order to maximise the impact and benefits of the research for a diverse range of stakeholders e.g. businesses, public services, the school education system, policy makers and also to engage the media effectively. This course introduces students to key principles for engaging with non-specialist audiences and explores a range of methodologies to enable this engagement. The focus for the student will be the exemplification of an area of School of Biomedical Sciences research.
The course combines theory and practical experience and is delivered by a range of practitioners including the course organisers. The course explores the development of science communication as a practice, introduces the student to key principles, explores the relationship between science and the media, and the importance of evaluation of engagement practice. The student is supported in the development of key skills through practice experience.
In addition to in-course practical experience, students will complete a one-day, ¿Science Communication Task¿, in which they are placed with a science communication practitioner within the university to gain experience by assisting with a public event or task, e.g. a school workshop, shadowing in the press office, or science writing.
Course description Co Course Organiser: Dr Elizabeth Stevenson

Contributors: Tom Pringle and UoE Press Office
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesN/A
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 30, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Formative Assessment Hours 3, Summative Assessment Hours 6, Other Study Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 145 )
Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) student placement
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Presentation 40 %, Essay 30%, Sci-comm resource 30%
Feedback Students will receive a mark and written feedback on their performance.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. To gain an appreciation and understanding of the broad scope of science communication through practical experience and engagement with the literature.
  2. To develop skills in engaging non-specialist audiences with science and to build confidence and the ability in researching, designing and presenting an engaging scientific presentation and resource for a non-specialist audience.
  3. To gain practical experience in science communication
  4. To develop an understanding of the relationship between science and the media.
  5. To develop an understanding of the evaluation process and its role in enhancing quality in public engagement
Reading List
Students are expected to conduct their own reading around the topics covered in the course, and the references below provide guidance and suggestions.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsScience communication, informal science education, print media
Contacts
Course organiserDr Janet Paterson
Tel:
Email:
Course secretaryMs Lisa Ketchion
Tel: (0131 6)51 1629
Email:
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