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Communication for Research Scientists (SCIE90013)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville) and Online
From Semester 1, 2023 our undergraduate programs will be delivered on campus. Graduate programs will mainly be delivered on campus, with dual-delivery and online options available to a select number of subjects within some programs.
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Please refer to the specific study period for contact information.
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery Winter Term - Online Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| 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;
- describe 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;
- outline the most effective ways for journalists and scientists to work together; and
- 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; and
- reflect on their own communication skills.
Last updated: 24 January 2023
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: 24 January 2023
Assessment
Semester 1
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Attendance and participation in class discussions. Students must attend 80% of classes and participate in all class activities including discussions, speaking to the class, and giving feedback to classmates.
| Throughout the teaching period | 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% |
8 minute conference-style spoken presentation, due week 11 or 12
| Due week 11 or 12 | 30% |
Fourth written task: 1000 word short communication for a discipline-specific journal due week 12
| Week 12 | 20% |
Semester 2
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Attendance and participation in class discussions. Students must attend 80% of classes and participate in all class activities including discussions, speaking to the class, and giving feedback to classmates.
| Throughout the teaching period | 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% |
8 minute conference-style spoken presentation, due week 11 or 12
| Due week 11 or 12 | 30% |
Fourth written task: 1000 word short communication for a discipline-specific journal due week 12
| Week 12 | 20% |
Winter Term
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Attendance and participation in class discussions. Students must attend 80% of classes and participate in all class activities including discussions, speaking to the class, and giving feedback to classmates.
| Throughout the teaching period | 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% |
8 minute conference-style spoken presentation, given in class in week 3
| Week 3 | 30% |
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% |
Last updated: 24 January 2023
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery
Principal coordinator Jen Martin Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 36-hours (2x 1-hour seminars plus 1x 1-hour tutorial per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 23 June 2023 Semester 1 contact information
- Winter Term - Online
Principal coordinator Jenny Martin Mode of delivery Online 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 26 June 2023 to 14 July 2023 Last self-enrol date 17 February 2023 Census date 7 July 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 14 July 2023 Assessment period ends 28 July 2023 Winter Term contact information
- Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
Coordinators Linden Ashcroft and Jen Martin Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 36-hours (2x 1-hour seminars plus 1x 1-hour tutorial per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 Semester 2 contact information
Additional delivery details
NOTE: the Winter Term intensive has an enrolment quota of 30 students. Visit the following page for more information: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/plan-your-bsc-continuing/quota-subjects
Last updated: 24 January 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- 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: 24 January 2023