About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: P90A4
- Applications: University
- Level: Postgraduate
- Department: Applied Sciences
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: 12 months
- Delivery: Part-time
- Programme leader: Dr Clare Wilkinson
Introduction
The Science Communication Unit at UWE is renowned for its innovative and diverse range of national and international activities, designed to engage the public with science. The Science Communication Unit has developed this course to meet the needs of students seeking an additional qualification. Linked to the Unit's world class MSc Science Communication, this course offers you an opportunity to benefit from the expertise, resources and contacts of the Science Communication Unit.
The city of Bristol is a hub for the science communication community. Bristol is home to BBC Bristol which produces a range of natural history programmes for TV and Radio, including Planet Earth, as well as the popular science magazine, BBC Focus. Bristol is also home to the award winning science centre, At-Bristol, with whom the Unit has collaborated with over a number of years.
As well as drawing on the academic and practical experience of staff within the Science Communication Unit, the programme provides an opportunity to meet a range of visiting lecturers and benefit from their practical experience. This also provides an excellent networking opportunity for students interested in expanding their range of contacts amongst science communication practitioners.
The course focuses on practical skills development. Depending on the options chosen, students will develop skills in science writing, such as journalism, public relations and book writing; new media skills, including podcasting and vodcasting and the science/arts movement; and/or the management skills needed to develop and run science communication projects. This includes devising and managing a project, evaluation and funding.
If you are interested in undertaking a more theoretical or research-based studies in addition to these practical skills, you should consider the MSc Science Communication which is offered both as a full-time and part-time course. The MSc is also suitable for international students that require visas to study in the UK. Please contact Clare.Wilkinson@uwe.ac.uk if you have any queries about which course is most suitable for you.
Structure
Content
You will choose two of the following three modules (30 credits each):
New Opportunities in Science Communication - examines cutting edge and alternative approaches to science communication
Hands-on Science Communication - develop your own science communication initiative in this hands-on module
Writing Science - develops journalistic and other writing styles with a view to developing a portfolio
Teaching and learning
The course is delivered through short, intensive teaching blocks. Each teaching block is three days (Thursday-Saturday) and you can expect to attend three teaching sessions for each 30 credit module. Group sessions are supplemented by directed and independent study, e-mail discussion, tutorials and mentoring.
Assessment
Modules are assessed in a variety of ways, to reflect the practical skills that are developed in this course. These include the development of portfolios, reports and oral presentations and can be used to provide evidence for prospective employers.
Careers/further study
Practical science communication skills are in high demand in a variety of sectors such as Journalism, Public Relations, Science Centres and Museums, Science Education, Professional Consultancy and Research Council/Learned Institutions.
Entry
Entry requirements
You should have an honours degree in a relevant subject at 2:2 or above, awarded by a UK institution of higher education, or a degree of comparable standard from an institution outside the UK.
Fees
Full details of fees for this course can be found on our postgraduate fees pages.
For funding options, please see our funding and scholarship information.
How to apply
Please apply for this course by clicking on the link in the 'next steps' red box on the right hand side of this page.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011