Unit name | Communicating Science |
---|---|
Unit code | BIOLM0012 |
Credit points | 30 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Rands |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Biological Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Students develop an understanding of how scientists communicate with one another, and develop their ability to evaluate presentations critically. They learn by attending a range of talks and seminars, and are also exposed to primary research in a wide variety of topics. They write a critical review paper on a topic of their choice, and prepare and present a portfolio consisting of short critical pieces on 10 seminars/presentations, plus one longer New Scientist-style article on a topic chosen from the seminars attended. Students attend 3 lectures introducing the review and seminar portfolio elements of the unit, and one lecture by a professional working in communication of science, e.g. an editor, broadcaster, conservationist, or TV producer.
Having completed this unit, students will be able to:
Seminars, lectures, and self-directed peer-group discussion. Attendance at a scientific conference will also be encouraged, but will not be compulsory.
Numbers refer to assessment of learning outcomes above. Formative assessment: Students attend seminars (1, 2), present their portfolios verbally to each other in self-organised sessions (5), and provide feedback and evaluation via Blackboard (6). Summative assessment: students write a 5000-word critical review paper on a topic of their choice in the style of an appropriate scientific journal (50%; 1, 3), present and discuss a portfolio (based on any 10 seminars attended; 4), and hand in the final version of their portfolio (6), incorporating feedback from peers (5, 6), for assessment (50%). Portfolio consists of short (500 words each) critical pieces on 10 seminars/presentations, plus one longer New Scientist-style article (up to 3000 words) on a topic chosen from the seminars attended (4).
Current reading will be recommended by the teaching staff, e.g.: