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Module Catalogue

CH954-10 Science Communication

Department
Chemistry
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
Nikola Chmel
Credit value
10
Module duration
5 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

This module aims to help you to communicate your research findings accurately and concisely to different audiences. The main focus is on how to communicate in print, radio and TV to non-scientific audiences, but the skills will translate across to your research reports and presentations. It is based on a 3-day non-residential course (but including 1 evening) at Warwick and BBC Coventry & Warwickshire which will consist of a variety of seminars by experts in the field.

Module web page

Module aims

To allow students to develop and demonstrate their capacity to communicate scientific research to a range of specialised and non-specialised audiences.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module will run for 5 weeks. Topics include:

  1. Writing with Style; knowing your audience
  2. Delivering a short presentation to a non-specialised audience
  3. Delivering short presentations to a specialised audience
  4. Using multimedia to produce visual aids
  5. Writing an abstract for a conference panel / conference proposal
  6. Writing a conference paper
  7. Delivering a conference paper
  8. Writing for verbal media (including radio and television)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Write a coherent and effective conference proposal
  • Deliver a presentation on a science topic to a non-specialised audience
  • Deliver a talk on a science topic to a specialised audience
  • Produce a poster on a science topic

Subject specific skills

i. Experience of planning and organising a conference
ii. Experience of delivering complex scientific concepts to a variety of audiences
iii. Experience of working with computer programmes to create visually interesting scientific documents

Transferable skills

Key Skills
i. Oral presentation skills
ii. Advanced writing skills to target different audiences
iii. Technical production of various pieces of writing
iv. Ability to express complex practical issues in a coherent manner
v. Practical aspects of event planning

Cognitive Skills
i. Ability to engage an audience in a scientific argument
ii. Advanced research and writing skills
iii. Competence in writing for different audiences
iv. Competence in addressing different audiences

Study time

Type Required
Seminars 5 sessions of 1 hour (5%)
Practical classes 16 sessions of 1 hour (16%)
Private study 79 hours (79%)
Total 100 hours

Private study description

Independent and resources based learning (79 hours)

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Oral Presentations 25% No

Oral Presentations
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Science Communication Project 50% No

Self defined project
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Assessed written work ( 200 words) 25% No

project report
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Written feedback will be provided on the submitted work which is returned to students. Oral feedback will be given for presentation.

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 1 of TCHA-F1PC Postgraduate Certificate in Transferable Skills in Science

This module is Option list A for:

  • Year 1 of TCHA-F1PD The Warwick Postgraduate Award in Transferable Skills in Science

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 1 of TCHA-F1PD The Warwick Postgraduate Award in Transferable Skills in Science