Communication in Science (4732.5)

Please note these are the 2017 details for this unit
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Communication in Science
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Education, Science, Technology & Maths
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Science Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This subject is intended to help students express themselves and their knowledge of science. The lectures and tutorials stress oral and written communication techniques, which are the basis of assessments throughout the semester. There is no final examination.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Critique the way science is communicated in scientific writing;
2. Critique the way science is communicated in scientific writing; presentations on a scientific;
3. Technical or medical topics;
4. Find scientific literature, reference it using the Harvard system and discriminate and evaluate the quality of information; and
5. Work in a group to prepare a media release.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Skills development

The unit Communication in Science is intended to help students express themselves and their

knowledge of science, and develop their skills as a professional. Students will explore the nature of

science including: the nature and development of science; and, the use and influence of science.

Students will review matters of ethics and socio-political context when communicating science. The

workshops emphasise oral, written, visual and digital communication techniques, which are the basis

of assessments throughout the semester.

 

The learning outcomes for Communication in Science are to:

 

1. Critique the way science is communicated in different styles of scientific writing;

2. Give effective verbal presentations on scientific, technical or medical topics;

3. Find relevant scientific literature related to a scientific, technical or medical topic;

4. Reference scientific literature using the Harvard system;

5. Discriminate and evaluate the quality of available information, including quantitative data;

6. Work in a group to prepare a media release, using Information Communication Technology (ICT)



Corequisites

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
Not available

Required texts

Recommended reading:

You can purchase either of the following two texts to support assessment preparation:

Dawson, MD, Dawson BA and Overfield JA (2010) Communication Skills for the

Biosciences, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell (available at the University Co-op Bookshop).

Hay, I (2012) Communicating in Geography and the Environmental Sciences, 4th Ed., South

Melbourne: Oxford University Press (available at the University Co-op Bookshop).

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Podcasts/Vodcasts and Group Oral Presentations will be given in class. All other assessment items are to be submitted via Moodle.

Special assessment requirements

An aggregate grade of 50% is required to pass this unit.

The unit convener reserves the right to questions students orally on their submitted work.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Participation requirements

Participation in Workshops is a requirement for this unit, because the assessment directly relates to workshop content, and attendance will be recorded. You must participate in at least 80% of Workshops (e.g. at least 9 out of 11 classes) to pass this unit. In the event that you cannot attend your Workshop class due to illness or unavoidable commitments, attend an equivalent scheduled class with the permission of the Workshop coordinator, and discuss your absence with staff as soon as possible so you can take responsibility for reviewing missed work. Students who miss Workshops should provide relevant documentation to the Unit Convener as soon as possible, via email <leah.moore@canberra.edu.au>

Required IT skills

Familiarity with Microsoft Office software Word, Excel and PowerPoint or equivalent is necessary. It is expected that students have learned how to access resources in the UC library and to access the Unit's Moodle site.

In-unit costs

Costs associated with unit include purchase of the text/s from the UC Coop Bookshop.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Research Led Education

This unit involves research-led education. There are active researchers delivering this unit who are able to engage students in deep and active learning and transmit to students their passion for the research they are carrying out.

Provision of information to the group

Notifications through the Moodle Announcements Forum or the Moodle Discussion Forums are deemed to be made to the whole class.  It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they check for announcements on the Unit's Moodle website (Moodle forum messages are also emailed to student email addresses only).  Students should ensure they check their student email regularly.  The Moodle discussion forums will be checked by staff regularly.

Use of student email account

The University Email policy states that "students wishing to contact the University via email regarding administrative or academic matters need to send the email from the University account for identity verification purposes".  Therefore all unit enquiries should be emailed using a student university email account. Students should contact servicedesk@canberra.edu.au if they have any issues accessing their university email account.

Absence

In all cases of absence, sickness or personal problems it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the Unit Convener is informed. The minimum participation requirement must be met in order to pass the unit (regardless of supporting documentation).