Science Communication and Employability (MULT20011)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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As part of the University’s response to COVID-19 and the associated Government restrictions and guidelines, most subjects will continue to be delivered online in Winter and Semester 2.
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.

Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.

Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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Why is it essential scientists learn to communicate effectively about science and technology to a variety of audiences? What makes for engaging communication when it comes to science and technology? How does the style of communication need to change for different audiences? What types of media can be used with greatest effect for each communication task? What are the nuts and bolts of good science writing? What are the characteristics of effective public speaking?

Weekly seminars will consider the important role science and technology plays in twenty-first century society and explore why it is vital scientists learn to articulate their ideas to a variety of audiences in an effective and engaging manner. Other topics include giving talks about science to non-scientists,  writing press releases, communicating about climate change, communicating with politicians, science performance and how science is reported in the media. We will also focus on effective communication in the context of employability: writing a CV, job application and cover letter, interview skills, using LinkedIn and other social media and what communication skills employers are looking for in science graduates.

Students will develop skills in evaluating examples of science and technology communication to identify those that are most effective and engaging. Students will also be given multiple opportunities to receive feedback and improve their own written and oral communication skills.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • Articulate the range of purposes of communicating about science and technology
  • Identify the common features of effective communication in written, oral and other forms of communication
  • Understand the nature of different audiences for science and technology information
  • Communicate science and/or technology effectively to different audiences, using a variety of different techniques and media
  • Provide constructive feedback to other students on their communication skills (both written and oral)

Generic skills

On the completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Communicate effectively in both written and oral forms
  • Demonstrate awareness of and ability to use appropriate communication technology
  • Provide constructive feedback on other students’ work
  • Reflect on their own communication skills

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

25 points of Level 2 subjects approved as core in the Bachelors of Biomedicine, Engineering or Science, or included in the following Bachelor of Environments majors: Civil Systems, Environmental Science, Geomatics, Landscape Management, Engineering Systems (previously Physical Systems).

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Assessment

Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS

DescriptionTimingPercentage

One written assignment "Writing for different audiences" (1000 words, plus 500 words of peer review). Initial submission for peer review will occur in week 4, final submission in week 8.

  • 1500 words (total)
Hurdle requirement: Satisfactory participation in peer review of other students' written assignments		From Week 4 to Week 830%

Online science blog (minimum of 1500 words). Students must post to the blog at least 3 times during semester and also respond to the posts of other students.

  • 1500 words
During the teaching period30%

Group project (approximately 60 hours of contribution to group work). Students will interview a University of Melbourne researcher and a) write a press release based on the research, b) produce visual material to explain the research to a primary school audience; and c) give a group oral presentation.

  • 60 hours
Week 1240%

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorJen Martin
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursOne 2-hour seminar, one 1-hour seminar per week, and one 1-hour tutorial per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020
    Last self-enrol date14 August 2020
    Census date21 September 2020
    Last date to withdraw without fail16 October 2020
    Assessment period ends27 November 2020

    Semester 2 contact information

    j.martin1@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 20 March 2025