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Communication for Research Scientists (SCIE90013)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
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.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 Winter Term Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
As a scientist, it is not only important to be able to experiment, research and discover, it is also vital that you can communicate your research effectively in a variety of ways. Even the most brilliant research is wasted if no one knows it has been done or if your target audience is unable to understand it.
In this subject you will develop your written and oral communication skills to ensure that you communicate your science as effectively as possible. We will cover effective science writing and oral presentations across a number of formats: writing a thesis; preparing, submitting and publishing journal papers; searching for, evaluating and citing appropriate references; peer review, making the most of conferences; applying for grants and jobs; and using social media to publicise your research.
You will have multiple opportunities to practice, receive feedback and improve both your oral and written communication skills.
Please note: students must be undertaking their own research in order to enrol in this subject.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- articulate the range of ways in which research scientists communicate their work;
- identify the common features of effective communication in written and oral forms;
- understand the nature of different outputs for scientific research;
- effectively write (and appropriately format) different types of written documents (e.g. abstract, lay summary, manuscript);
- locate, critically evaluate and cite relevant references;
- prepare an oral presentation for a conference;
- have some insight into the most effective ways for journalists and scientists to work together;
- 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.
- Read critically.
- Use the library, online information and other resources effectively.
- Plan work, use time effectively and meet deadlines.
- Reflect on their own communication skills
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
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: 3 November 2022
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
Semester 1
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Attendance and participation in class discussions | 10% | |
First written task: 100 word lay summary of your research, due week 3
| Week 3 | 10% |
Second written task: 300 word abstract of your research, due week 5
| Week 5 | 10% |
Third written task: 1000 word Nature/Science news article. As part of the task, students will peer review each others' work. Initial submission for peer review due week 7 (hurdle requirement), final submission due week 10
| Peer review due week 7; Final submission due week 10 | 20% |
Fourth written task: 1000 word short communication for a discipline-specific journal due week 12
| Week 12 | 20% |
8 minute conference-style spoken presentation, due week 11 or 12
| Due week 11 or 12 | 30% |
Semester 2
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Attendance and participation in class discussions | 10% | |
First written task: 100 word lay summary of your research, due week 3
| Week 3 | 10% |
Second written task: 300 word abstract of your research, due week 5
| Week 5 | 10% |
Third written task: 1000 word Nature/Science news article. As part of the task, students will peer review each others' work. Initial submission for peer review due week 7 (hurdle requirement), final submission due week 10
| Peer review due week 7; Final submission due week 10 | 20% |
Fourth written task: 1000 word short communication for a discipline-specific journal due week 12
| Week 12 | 20% |
8 minute conference-style spoken presentation, due week 11 or 12
| Due week 11 or 12 | 30% |
Winter Term
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Attendance and participation in class discussions | 10% | |
First written task: 100 word lay summary of your research, due week 1
| Week 1 | 10% |
Second written task: 300 word abstract of your research, due week 2
| Week 2 | 10% |
Third written task: 1000 word Nature/Science news article. As part of the task, students will peer review each others' work. Initial submission for peer review due end of week 2 (hurdle requirement), final submission due week 3
| Peer review due end of week 2; Final submission due week 3 | 20% |
Fourth written task: 1000 word short communication for a discipline-specific journal due on the assessment period end date
| End of the assessment period | 20% |
8 minute conference-style spoken presentation, given in class in week 3
| Week 3 | 30% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Jen Martin Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36-hours (two 1-hour seminars plus one 1-hour tutorial per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
- Winter Term
Principal coordinator Jenny Martin Coordinator Linden Ashcroft Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48-hrs (8 x 1-hour lectures, 4 x 1-hour tutorials, and 2 x 2-hour writing session per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 6 July 2020 to 24 July 2020 Last self-enrol date 30 June 2020 Census date 17 July 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 24 July 2020 Assessment period ends 7 August 2020 - Semester 2
Principal coordinator Jen Martin Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36-hours (two 1-hour seminars plus one 1-hour tutorial per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
NOTE: the Winter Term intensive has an enrolment quota of 30 students.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022