single degree

Master of Science Communication

A single two year graduate award offered by the ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment

MSCCOMM
  • Length 2 year full-time
  • Minimum 96 Units
First year student? There’s more information about enrolling in your degree.
  • Field of Education
    • Natural and Physical Scis NEC
  • Academic contact
  • Length 2 year full-time
  • Minimum 96 Units
First year student? There’s more information about enrolling in your degree.
  • Field of Education
    • Natural and Physical Scis NEC
  • Academic contact

Program Requirements

The Master of Science Communication requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

SCOM7000 Master of Science Communication Research Project

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public

A minimum of 36 units from the completion of courses from the following list:

SCOM6003 Science in Popular Fiction

SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web

SCOM6016 Science in the Media

SCOM6027 Science and Public Policy

SCOM6029 Cross Cultural Perspectives in Science Communication

SCOM8015 Speaking of Science

SCOM8021 Ethics, Issues and Consequences of Science

SCOM8501 Strategies in Science Communication

SCOM6004 Science Communication Postgraduate Internship

A maximum 36 units of courses from any:

College of Science courses

Admission Requirements

  • A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with an average mark of at least 70% and at least 8 courses in cognate disciplines.
  • All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students.
  • Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (one semester) of credit.
  • Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 48 units (one year) of credit.

Cognate Disciplines:

Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Studies, Other Natural and Physical Sciences, Information Technology, Engineering and Related Technologies, Health

Annual indicative fee for domestic students
$24,432.00

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$34,944.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

The Master of Science Communication is a postgraduate coursework program in Science Communication with a significant research project. Taught by some of Australia’s leading science communicators, the program combines theoretical and practical aspects of science communication.

The program is ideal for people interested in becoming professional science communication officers and managers, or in gaining skills in communicating their own science. Many graduates have found careers as communications officers for scientific organisations such as CSIRO, science-oriented government departments, university departments and businesses.

Career Options

Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.

The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to

  1. Demonstrate mastery of the theoretical knowledge underpinning science communication practice
  2. Identify, apply and evaluate science communication strategies for diverse audiences, using a range of means, media, and technologies.
  3. Appraise and reflect upon the interaction of interests, contexts and people shaping science, including the social and ethical responsibilities of science and society in the modern world
  4. Develop appropriate qualitative and quantitative research tools and strategies to investigate, justify and interpret science communication theories, methods and conclusions

Further Information

Students who have completed 48 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Diploma of Science.

Students who have completed 24 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Certificate of Science.

For students receiving 48 units of credit this program, the balance of the degree can be taken via online and intensive modes of study. For more information contact scicomm.gradprog@anu.edu.au

An indicative list of courses offered by Science can be found here 

Academic Advice

The first step to enrolling in your new program is to seek academic advice in order to discuss the courses you will be studying. This is done by making an appointment to meet with the program convener (details below).

Your academic advice session is a great opportunity to discuss with the convener the direction in which you want your studies to go. The convener will be able to advise you about course selection and content of courses that you will undertake as part of your program. Ideally you should bring along a copy of your academic record/academic transcripts as these will greatly assist your convener when giving you course advice.

To book an appointment you can:

Email: will.grant@anu.edu.au

Phone: 02 6125 0241

Please also bring along your Planning Your Program document that is available from the enrolment website and your checklist. These documents will help you plan your degree and assist you with finalising your enrolment.

Further enrolment information can also be found here http://students.anu.edu.au/manage/enrol/coursework.php

An indicative list of courses offered by Science can be found here http://science.anu.edu.au/resources/resources-current-students/science-course-list

Please follow each step and read through the additional information in the pdf guides, especially the ISIS enrolment guide in Step 2 and the How to enrol guide for new students in Step 3.

If you have any issues enrolling yourself through ISIS please contact us on 02 6125 2809 or email science.enquiries@anu.edu.au


Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?

Contact Dr Will Grant at Will.Grant@anu.edu.au

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