Communicating Science (PG)

Postgraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
SCIE 5001
Course ID icon
Course ID
204874
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
5
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

Communicating Science equips students with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively communicate scientific concepts to diverse audiences. This course is designed for students who are passionate about bridging the gap between science and society through effective communication and welcomes students from various disciplines, including sciences, humanities, and social sciences.

Upon successfully completing Communicating Science, students will be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to excel in science communication roles and contribute to fostering public understanding of science. Students will be prepared for diverse career opportunities in science journalism, public relations, science advocacy, science policy, museum curation, and other related fields.

Students will hone their written communication abilities by producing compelling content suitable for diverse publications, including blogs, press releases, and feature articles. They will also refine their oral communication skills, through delivering captivating speeches and learning how to distill complex ideas into concise soundbites. Off-campus excursions to science exhibitions will provide students with firsthand experiences in science communication outside written and oral forms. Students will observe and analyse different communication strategies employed in these settings, enhancing their understanding of engaging diverse audiences and making complex scientific concepts accessible and relevant. By successfully completing these assessments, students will demonstrate their ability to communicate science effectively, responsibly, and ethically.

Course learning outcomes

  • Show awareness and understanding of the background, fundamentals and theory of traditional and emerging media and how these relate to the communication of science.
  • Produce written communication suitable for a variety of media and publications.
  • Demonstrate oral communication skills from speeches to soundbites.
  • Demonstrate online communication skills from blog posts to videos.
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the scope and diversity of science communication.
  • Demonstrate responsible, ethical and respectful attitudes as the field undergoes disruptive change fuelled by rapid technology advancement.

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A