The Master of Science Communication Research Project involves a substantive investigation of an approved topic in science communication.
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:
- Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic.
- Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions.
- Engage in systematic discovery and critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources.
- Appropriately apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data.
- Understand and apply ethical standards of conduct in the collection and evaluation of data and other resources.
- Communicate research concepts and contexts clearly and effectively both in writing and orally.
Indicative Assessment
- Report (84) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Article for non-specialist audience (10) [LO 6]
- Reflective posts (6) [LO 1,3,5,6]
- For 24-unit version of course only: research methods training activity (hurdle requirement) (0) [LO 2,3,4]
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
Approximately 130 hours, per 6 units of enrolment, of total student learning time made up of independent student research, reading and writing. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their supervisor and attend all supervisory meetings.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
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.
Prescribed Texts
None
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 to 24 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $740 per unit |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $1060 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3326 | 19 Feb 2024 | 26 Feb 2024 | 05 Apr 2024 | 24 May 2024 | In Person | View |
| 3337 | 19 Feb 2024 | 26 Feb 2024 | 05 Apr 2024 | 24 May 2024 | In Person | View |
| 3338 | 19 Feb 2024 | 26 Feb 2024 | 05 Apr 2024 | 24 May 2024 | In Person | View |
| 3339 | 19 Feb 2024 | 26 Feb 2024 | 05 Apr 2024 | 24 May 2024 | In Person | View |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8289 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | N/A |
| 8299 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | N/A |
| 8300 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | N/A |
| 8301 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | N/A |
