• Code SCOM4005
  • Unit Value 6 to 24 units
  • Offered by Centre for the Public Awareness of Science
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Course subject Science Communication
  • Areas of interest Science, Science Communication
  • Academic career UGRD
  • Course convener
    • Dr Merryn McKinnon
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Offered in First Semester 2020
    Second Semester 2020
    See Future Offerings

All activities that form part of this course will be delivered remotely in Sem 2 2020.

The Bachelor of Science Honours (BSc Hons) in Science Communication is a one year program completed as an adjunct year at the end of a Bachelor of Science degree.

It is a unique opportunity to investigate how an aspect of science that you are passionate about:

  • has been communicated in the public arena.
  • might be communicated better.
  • is affected by such things as government policy and community opinion.


There is considerable flexibility in choosing project topics, and students usually develop their own topic ideas in consultation with their supervisor. Co-supervision across more than one ANU department is sometimes possible.

For more detailed information about past projects and topic ideas, see the Honours information page at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science website.

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 topic to generate new knowledge
2. 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. Analyse and interpret original research data with statistical or other evaluative processes where appropriate
5. Understand and apply ethical standards of conduct in the collection and evaluation of data and other resources
6. Communicate and justify complex concepts and results clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.

Indicative Assessment

The assessment aligns with the learning outcomes and includes:
• Thesis (~86%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
• Research proposal and final seminars (~14%; LO 2, 6)

In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle. 

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

Students are expected to work on the project for at least 40 hours per week (full time candidature). As part of this, during the first half of the candidature, students will also be expected complete a course with an expectation of 10 hours study time per week.

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.

Preliminary Reading

Relevant peer reviewed journal articles and authoritative texts - will vary according to the research project topic.

Assumed Knowledge

Students are strongly recommended to have completed some research-oriented undergraduate courses in science communication.

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:
6 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
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
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2020 $675 per unit
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2020 $960 per unit
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
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
3928 24 Feb 2020 02 Mar 2020 08 May 2020 05 Jun 2020 In Person N/A
3929 24 Feb 2020 02 Mar 2020 08 May 2020 05 Jun 2020 In Person N/A
3930 24 Feb 2020 02 Mar 2020 08 May 2020 05 Jun 2020 In Person View
3931 24 Feb 2020 02 Mar 2020 08 May 2020 05 Jun 2020 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
8954 27 Jul 2020 03 Aug 2020 31 Aug 2020 30 Oct 2020 In Person N/A
8955 27 Jul 2020 03 Aug 2020 31 Aug 2020 30 Oct 2020 In Person N/A
8956 27 Jul 2020 03 Aug 2020 31 Aug 2020 30 Oct 2020 In Person View
8957 27 Jul 2020 03 Aug 2020 31 Aug 2020 30 Oct 2020 In Person N/A

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