The Master of Science Communication Research Project involves a substantive investigation of an approved topic in science communication. It is a compulsory course for all students enrolled in the Master of Science Communication program.
Students devise their own science communication research project in collaboration with the supervisor, or can pursue a topic already offered by the supervisor. The project should be devised and conducted with journal publication in mind as the desired end goal.
The course can be taken as 18 or 24 units completed within a single semester, or two consecutive semesters. Students will complete a minimum of 18 units in this course, but students who hope to use the Master of Science Communication program as a stepping stone to higher degree research are advised to complete a total of 24 units. The course convener can advise on this decision.
- The 18-unit version of the course entails a research project with a significant original component, aspiring to professional-level data collection and analysis, with ethics approval required for any human participant element.
- The 24-unit version of the course involves a research project as for the 18-unit version, plus compulsory research methods training. This training could involve completing specific, externally provided research training activities (such as the online courses offered by the Statistical Consulting Unit) to an acceptable standard, or completing a 4000 word literature review on relevant research methods to an acceptable standard, or similar. The research methods training is a hurdle requirement which doesn't contribute to the final mark, but has to be completed to pass the course. The course convener will set and assess this item, in consultation with the supervisor and student.
Students must discuss their project ideas with the course convener prior to enrolling in the course to ensure they enrol in the appropriate version and that an appropriate supervisor can be found.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic2. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
3. Engage in systematic discovery and critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
4. Appropriately apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data
5. Understand and apply ethical standards of conduct in the collection and evaluation of data and other resources
6. Communicate research concepts and contexts clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
Indicative Assessment
- 5000-8000 word report on an original research project, in the style of a journal paper for the journal 'Public Understanding of Science' (80%, LO 1,2,3,4,5,6)
- 800 ±10% word academic blog post written as if for 'The Conversation', communicating about the research project to a wider audience (15%, LO 6)
- 5 short reflections spaced throughout the semester, answering set questions about the research process and experience (5 x 1%, LO 6)
- for 24-unit version of course only: research methods training activity (hurdle requirement, LO 2,3,4)
The main report will be examined by two science communication academics outside the supervisor's research group.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Total 390 hours work across the semester(s) of enrolment.Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 3 to 24 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 3.00 | 0.06250 |
| 4.00 | 0.08333 |
| 5.00 | 0.10417 |
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
| 7.00 | 0.14583 |
| 8.00 | 0.16667 |
| 9.00 | 0.18750 |
| 10.00 | 0.20833 |
| 11.00 | 0.22917 |
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
| 13.00 | 0.27083 |
| 14.00 | 0.29167 |
| 15.00 | 0.31250 |
| 16.00 | 0.33333 |
| 17.00 | 0.35417 |
| 18.00 | 0.37500 |
| 19.00 | 0.39583 |
| 20.00 | 0.41667 |
| 21.00 | 0.43750 |
| 22.00 | 0.45833 |
| 23.00 | 0.47917 |
| 24.00 | 0.50000 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $610 per unit |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $860 per unit |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4592 | 19 Feb 2018 | 27 Feb 2018 | 31 Mar 2018 | 25 May 2018 | In Person | N/A |
| 4593 | 19 Feb 2018 | 27 Feb 2018 | 31 Mar 2018 | 25 May 2018 | In Person | N/A |
| 4594 | 19 Feb 2018 | 27 Feb 2018 | 31 Mar 2018 | 25 May 2018 | In Person | N/A |
| 4595 | 19 Feb 2018 | 27 Feb 2018 | 31 Mar 2018 | 25 May 2018 | In Person | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9641 | 23 Jul 2018 | 30 Jul 2018 | 31 Aug 2018 | 26 Oct 2018 | In Person | N/A |
| 9642 | 23 Jul 2018 | 30 Jul 2018 | 31 Aug 2018 | 26 Oct 2018 | In Person | N/A |
| 9643 | 23 Jul 2018 | 30 Jul 2018 | 31 Aug 2018 | 26 Oct 2018 | In Person | N/A |
| 9644 | 23 Jul 2018 | 30 Jul 2018 | 31 Aug 2018 | 26 Oct 2018 | In Person | N/A |
