Communicating science in the information age
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| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown.
Summary
Anyone with an interest in how and why we communicate science will benefit from this postgraduate science course, which is a component course for the MSc in Science and Society. Using case studies and articles, you’ll consider how science is communicated in different settings, through a range of traditional and new media, and what frameworks and methods have been proposed for researching these communications. You’ll explore how scientists communicate with each other and look at the role of public engagement activities, science centres and museums, print media, and digital television and radio in representing science.
Course content
This course consists of five blocks of work:
- Communicating science: an introduction gives you your first look at the range of situations in which science is communicated in the information age.
- Scientists communicating illustrates how scientists communicate with other scientists through a range of traditional and digital media. You will see how this communication forms the basis of the documentation of scientific knowledge.
- Communicating science in informal settings examines situations where scientists communicate with non-scientists, e.g. in settings such as science centres and museums, and public engagement activities.
- In Broadcast, print and new media we ask how science is represented in a range of popular media and examine the future of public sector broadcasting in relation to science.
- The last block, Research issues in science communication, documents trends in research and critically examines three alternative approaches to investigating science communication in the information age.
Five study commentaries, together with readers and audio-visual material, form the core materials for the course. You will produce an extended critical literature review as your end of course assessment, and you will take part in moderated and informal online forums.
You will learn
The learning outcomes of the course are of several different types. By addressing them you will demonstrate achievement relevant to the study of science communication in the following areas: knowledge and understanding, cognitive skills, key skills, and practical and professional skills. You will illustrate that you are aware of how science is communicated in traditional and online settings and to a range of audiences, involving various motivations and constraints. You will develop skills both in critiquing science communication and studying the processes of science communication. We will help you to:
- develop an understanding of how and why science is communicated
- develop skills in the study of science communication
- consider ways in which contemporary communication of scientific information influences scientific citizenship.
Vocational relevance
This qualification is for those who want to explore aspects of science communication at postgraduate level through a taught course. It offers an opportunity to pursue contemporary issues in science communication, using the innovative teaching methods pioneered by The Open University (OU) and developing a wide range of skills associated with postgraduate study.
Entry
To register for Communicating science in the information age you must, usually, hold a qualification equivalent to a UK honours degree. Within the MSc in Science your degree should be in a science subject. However, a relevant honours degree such as communications, museum or media studies, science education, or awards in the history, philosophy or sociology of science may be acceptable if you are planning to count the course towards the MSc or Postgraduate diploma in Science and Society. If you do not have an acceptable honours degree, relevant experience or other study that would equip you to study at masters level will be considered by our admissions panel.
All teaching is in English and your proficiency in the English language should be adequate for postgraduate study. We strongly recommend that you can achieve an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least seven. To assess your English language skills in relation to your proposed studies, you can visit the IELTS website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Outside the UK
The course is open to students living and working outside the UK.
Qualifications
SH804 is an optional course in our:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Society (E35)
- MSc in Professional Science (F60)
- MSc in Science and Society (F48)
- MSc in Science (F12)
Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
If this course is in a similar area to one you have already completed, you can find out if it is an excluded combination.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course depends heavily on reading and writing text on computer screens, particularly during the extensive use of electronic text-based tuition. There is also a great deal of audio-visual material in the form of video clips, forming part of a media archive (on DVD video). You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet.
Written transcripts of any audio-visual components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available through the course website. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader, and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future e.g. DAISY compliant ‘talking books’. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course website, course books, other text-based materials, audio (as downloads from the course website) and visual (on DVD video) materials, online forum facilities, online library facilities, web-based resources.
There are two DVD videos containing video clips.
The vast majority of the resources and/or teaching is delivered online.
You will need
The course team recommends that you have a broadband internet connection and a standard DVD player.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Electronic communication will be used extensively and there will be a day school at the start of the course that you are encouraged to attend. Your regional or national centre will provide you with both general and certain specialist help with your studies. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with the OU before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in January 2010. We expect it to be available once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
A postgraduate course in Science.
Study explained
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- Study explained
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