Introduction to Science Communication (SCOM1001) offers a smorgasbord of all things science communication! Broken into three core elements - concepts, skills and contexts - and featuring diverse guest lectures, science communication methods, and much more, this foundation course is designed to help you taste a little bit of everything and discover the flavours of science communication.
SCOM1001 is an excellent complement to any STEM, environment, psychology, health, or medicine degree. It gives students fundamental concepts and approaches to effectively communicate internally and externally from their core discipline to beyond. This is useful for cross-disciplinary research and problem solving, job or grant applications, stakeholder and public engagement, and many other tasks in professional science and technology contexts. It is also suitable for students from social science and arts disciplines who would like to build bridges to all things science.
The course provides an introduction to contemporary social and communication issues in science, technology, and society. It explore questions such as:
Concepts
- how did science communication evolve and how does its history inform practice today?
- what are the fundamental models and where are they useful?
- how do the wider public view and engage with science, and how can you connect with them as a communicator?
- how can we make messages relevant, convey complex ideas effectively, and tap into people's emotions?
- how can science and science communication be more ethical, inclusive, and equitable?
Skills
- how can we use storytelling, podcasts and other narrative forms to engage?
- how can we communicate through words, presentations, performances - even ideas from improv theatre?
- how can we employ hands-on methods or live demonstrations used in science centres like Questacon and other informal science learning settings?
Contexts
- how can we best communicate in the media or online?
- can science communication enhance policy making and better bring science into the political sphere?
- where does science and its communication fit into areas like science fiction, comics and pop culture more broadly?
- what role can science communication play in addressing issues like health, sustainability, climate change, or responsible AI?
Note the exact contexts explored in the course may vary from year to year based on guest lecture availability.
Focusing on current events and issues facing scientists, science communicators, policy makers, and the community, SCOM1001 students are encouraged to discuss their own perceptions of science and technology in the context of society, and the problems with (and solutions to) communicating science with non-expert audiences. A strong emphasis is placed on collaboration with other students, and students are expected to take an active approach to learning.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Work professionally in a collaborative environment.
- Understand and describe the key issues and importance of effective science communication, recognising how social contexts affect the practice and communication of science.
- Debate the effectiveness of the presentation of science in various media
- Critically appraise and characterise key elements of science-based evidence underlying social issues
- Defend and construct evidence-based arguments based on sound scientific and science communication/ social evidence and calling on theories and methods from across many disciplines
- Integrate personal interests, values and aspirations with practical and theoretical development in science communication
- Learn and practice narrative skills in the delivery of science communication 'stories'
Indicative Assessment
- Writing a science narrative - from journal article to science story (30) [LO 1,2,4,7]
- Critical Essay (30) [LO 2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Podcast assignment (30) [LO 1,2,4,5,6,7]
- Reflective piece (10) [LO 2,4,6,7]
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
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial each week.
- Approximately 94 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, tutorials, and assessment tasks.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Prescribed Texts
No specific prescribed text. Course materials supplied online.
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 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $4920 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $7020 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3421 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |