COMM06053 2013 COMMUNICATIONS IN SCIENCE
The module aims to provide students with fundamental skills with respect to communicating scientific information during their academic studies and in the workplace. The importance of the effective communication of scientific information by written, oral and visual means will be emphasised.
Students will be required to source, review and summarise peer reviewed scientific literature.
The preparation of scientific reports will encompass the organisation, interpretation and presentation (written) of scientific data in structured format.
Students will be required to work as a team in order to conduct research on a topical environmental issue for an oral and poster presentation.
The role and importance of teamwork will be discussed.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
Demonstrate good communication skills with respect to scientific principles and technical information.
Recognise the importance of peer reviewed scientific literature.
Recognise what constitutes plagiarism.
Prepare a literature review, write a reference list and reference material within the text.
Collect, categorise and evaluate scientific information on a selected environmental topic.
Examine and interpret experimental data and present it in graphical and tabular formats.
Produce a scientific report, based on environmental data, using a standard report writing format.
Review scientific papers and report the key information by means of an abstract.
Prepare and present an oral and visual presentation on a selected environmental topic.
Module Dependencies
Indicative Syllabus
- Peer reviewed scientific information.
- Citing and referencing.
- Source and critically appraise literature on a scientific topic for the preparation of an abstract.
- Preparation of a literature review.
- Collection, analysis and interpretation of scientific data for the preparation of a scientific report, which is: logical and structured; objective and evidence-based; concise and precise.
- Oral communication skills.
- Visual communication skills.
- Essay writing skills.
- Teamwork skills, including the ability to organise, plan, collect and present information on a scientific topic.
Coursework & Assessment Breakdown
Coursework Assessment
Title | Type | Form | Percent | Week | Learning Outcomes Assessed | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Abstract(s) | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 10 % | UNKNOWN | 1,2,3,8 |
2 | Literature Review | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 20 % | UNKNOWN | 1,2,3,4 |
3 | Scientific Report | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 30 % | UNKNOWN | 1,5,6,7 |
4 | Oral Presentation | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 15 % | UNKNOWN | 1,5,9 |
5 | Poster Presentation | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 10 % | UNKNOWN | 1,5,9 |
6 | Other written assessments | Continuous Assessment | UNKNOWN | 15 % | UNKNOWN | 1 |
Full Time Mode Workload
Type | Location | Description | Hours | Frequency | Avg Workload |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lecture | Lecture Theatre | Lecture (Theory) | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Group Learning | Flat Classroom | Group Learning | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Practical | Computer Laboratory | Practical | 1 | Weekly | 1.00 |
Independent Learning | UNKNOWN | Self Study | 4 | Weekly | 4.00 |
Module Resources
Alley, M. (1996) The Craft of Scientific Writing. Springer-Verlag.
Van Emden, J. (2001) Effective Communication for Science and Technology. Palgrave.
Cottrell, S. 2008. Study Skills Handbook. Third Edition. Palgrave Macmillan.
Lecture theatre, computer laboratory and flat classroom.
None