CH935-10 Communicating Science to Different Audiences
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 course at Warwick and BBC Coventry & Warwickshire which will consist of a variety of seminars by experts in the field.
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:
- Writing with Style; knowing your audience
- Delivering a short presentation to a non-specialised audience
- Delivering short presentations to a specialised audience
- Using multimedia to produce visual aids
- Writing an abstract for a conference panel / conference proposal
- Writing a conference paper
- Delivering a conference paper
- Writing for verbal media (including radio and television)
Assessment will be based on 2 oral presentations, 1 written paper and 2 examples of visual aid.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Write a coherent and effective event 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 written presentation on a science topic
- Prepare independent science communication project
Interdisciplinary
Communicating across disciplines with module participants from different SEM departments
Subject specific skills
i. Experience of planning and organising an event
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 (10%) |
| Practical classes | 16 sessions of 1 hour (32%) |
| Private study | 29 hours (58%) |
| Total | 50 hours |
Private study description
Independent and resources based learning (29 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 |
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| Assessed work | 50% | No | |
|
2 written assignments, 2 presentations, 1 interview, contributions to radio show, contributions to group discussions |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Science Communication Project | 50% | 50 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Self defined project |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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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 Core for:
- Year 1 of TCHA-F1PB MSc in Chemistry with Scientific Writing
- Year 1 of TCHA-F1PE Postgraduate Taught Scientific Research and Communication
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 1 of TCHA-F1PD The Warwick Postgraduate Award in Transferable Skills in Science