BIO06031 2020 Scientific Communication

General Details

Full Title
Scientific Communication
Transcript Title
Scientific Communication
Code
BIO06031
Attendance
100 %
Subject Area
BIO - Bio Tech/Eng/Chem
Department
LIFE - Life Sciences
Level
06 - NFQ Level 6
Credit
10 - 10 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2020 - Full Academic Year 2020-21
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Eileen Armstrong
Programme Membership
SG_SAPMS_H08 202000 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Medical Sciences SG_SBIOM_H08 202000 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biomedical and BioIndustrial Sciences
Description

This module addresses written and spoken communication of scientific information within a professional, scientific arena and to the general public. Emphasis is given to personal and professional development skills for students, including self awareness, interview skills, critical reading, constructive review and information quality assessment.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Demonstrate interpersonal skills in perception, listening, questioning, assertiveness, and non-verbal communication.

2.

Display good communication and presentation skills particularly for scientific concepts and ideas

3.

Paraphrase and summarise written scientific information, reference sources and write a bibliography

4.

Use appropriate software to format, structure and publish short scientific reports according to established conventions.

5.

Establish their individual role and responsibilities as members of a scientific profession

Teaching and Learning Strategies

This module will be delivered fully online using a variety of e-learning software e.g. Moodle and Adobe Connect. The module will be taught using lectures supported by assigned reading/viewing and interactive online engagement and discussion. Self-directed, student-centred, independent learning is also encouraged through completion of module coursework.

Module Assessment Strategies

Oral Presentation (15%)

  • Students will have to prepare and deliver an oral presentation with questions from the lecture. Students will receive feedback via an online assessment rubric with comments from the lecturer.

Written Assignment (55% and 30%)

Students will have 2 other assignments assessing their communication of science in different formats and for different audiences, these may take the following form:

  • Students will have to prepare a review article on a scientific topic and include an abstract summarising the review. Students will receive feedback via an online assessment rubric with comments from the lecturer.
  • Students will have to research a recent scientific journal article and produce a ‘Blog Post/Popular Science’ style article on the chosen article. The assessment will also require students to constructively review one of their peer’s articles. Students will receive feedback via an online assessment rubric with comments from the lecturer.

Repeat Assessments

Repeat assessments will be created and assigned where necessary at the discretion of the lecturer and/or following direction from exam board. 

Indicative Syllabus

This module will blend lecture material and assigned reading/viewing with applied communication, with content that includes the following: 

Communications for interviews, verbal and visual presentations.

  • Oral presentations and verbal articulation skills.
  • Some use of presentation software e.g. Microsoft Powerpoint
  • Interview techniques, styles and skills.
  • Visual material presentation skills.

 

Professional writing and referencing skills (for academic and professional audiences)

  • Sourcing, reading and referencing authoritative scientific information
  • Writing a literature review on a scientific topic
  • Types of Literature review 
  • Grammar and punctuation

 

Communicating science to the general public or layperson

  • Writing science for the general public
  • Science in the Media
  • Public engagement strategies
  • Constructive peer review.

 

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Oral Presentation Coursework Assessment Assignment 15 % Week 4 2
2 Written Assignment Coursework Assessment Assignment 55 % OnGoing 1,2,3,4,5
3 Written Assignment Coursework Assessment Assignment 30 % End of Semester 1,2,3,5

Part Time Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Lecture Distance Learning Suite Lecture/Tutorial 2 Weekly 2.00
Independent Learning Not Specified Self Study 9 Weekly 9.00
Total Part Time Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 2.00 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Recommended Reading
2012 Communicating Clearly about Science and Medicine Routledge

Recommended Reading
2010 The Craft of Scientific Communication University of Chicago Press, Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing and Publishing

Recommended Reading
2009 The Handbook of Communication Science SAGE Publications Inc.

Module Resources

URL Resources

Effective Writing according to Nature Education : https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/effective-writing-13815989/

Ten Simple Rules for Writing a Literature Review:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3715443/pdf/pcbi.1003149.pdf

Other Resources

Moodle will be used as a repository of educational resources, which will be updated regularly.