BIOL6030 Molecular Cell Biology
Module Overview
Science Communication involves the dissemination of science to a lay audience. Equally as important; a good scientist is a good communicator. Science Communication is essential as an aid for governmental and industrial policy making. It is needed to counteract any misperceptions about science and is becoming an obligation for publically funded work. It is an important tool for motivating our next generation of scientists. Hence, Science Communication can boost a student’s employability for a wide range of jobs. This module provides an introduction to the methods and resources a student will need in order to play an active role in communicating science.
Aims and Objectives
Module Aims
Science Communication involves the dissemination of science to a lay audience. Equally as important; a good scientist is a good communicator. Science Communication is essential as an aid for governmental and industrial policy making. It is needed to counteract any misperceptions about science and is becoming an obligation for publically funded work. It is an important tool for motivating our next generation of scientists. Hence, Science Communication can boost a student’s employability for a wide range of jobs. This module provides an introduction to the methods and resources a student will need in order to play an active role in communicating science.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Distil a scientific concept/methodology/idea so that a general audience can understand it
- Write scientific newspaper and magazine articles
- Develop oral presentation skills of a science topic for a lay audience
- Be familiar with the presentation of statistics
- Develop scientific webpages and blogs
- Generate video presentations of science stories
- Understand how to use social media to communicate science
Syllabus
This module is mainly a practical based approach to Science Communication involving written, oral and video presentations as well as making science-orientated websites and blogs.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The module is assessed throughout the semester based on prepared work including written articles in the style of a scientific journal commentary, a scientific magazine, a video presentation, science websites, science blogs and a poster presentation of a science topic.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Work based learning | 4 |
| Lecture | 6 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 6 |
| Total study time | 16 |
Assessment
Assessment Strategy
An individually prepared blog of 500 words A 1000 word newspaper article based on the research of the assigned supervisor. Jointly prepared video presentation and a storyboard/treatment on one core topic of the Institute for Life Sciences. In addition, each student submits an 800 word report on their individual contributions. A 1500 word Encyclopedia of Earth article – topic defined by assigned supervisor.Re-assessment Method Re-submission of failed element of coursework. In the case of the video, submission of a treatment and a storyboard. The learning objective is for the students to be able to design a sequence of images that best answer the brief.
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Article (1500 words) | 30% |
| Blog contribution (500 words) | 10% |
| Digital presentation with supporting report (800 words) | 40% |
| Newspaper article (1000 words) | 20% |
Referral
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% |