Science Communication

BIOL21392 Science Communication 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 2 Sophie Evison Unit coordinator School of Biological Sciences School of Medical Sciences Division of Psychology Communication and Human Neu Department of Physics & Astronomy 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Middle part of Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 The Science Communication course is aimed at allowing students to explore the literature around a topic and report on those findings through different media. The assessment for the unit consists of an individual Extended Essay and an Oral Presentation on a scientific topic, as well as a reflection exercise. The unit runs throughout the academic year in tandem with the second year tutorial programme BIOL20000/20021.  The Science Communication unit aims to emulate scientific reporting by guiding you on writing a literature review on a specific topic in the form of an Extended Essay. You will also present an overview of your Extended Essay during an Oral Presentation. You will be assigned an essay topic by your tutor, which you will research throughout the year. You will develop and critically evaluate a plan for your essay together with guidance and feedback from your tutor before completing the summative assessments. In addition to the major components of the Extended Essay and the Oral Presentation, you will also submit a reflection on the process of researching, planning and critically evaluating, and writing your Extended Essay.  <ul><li>To develop skills in searching academic literature to research a specific scientific topic.</li><li>To develop the ability to interpret and analyse scientific literature.</li><li>To practise scientific writing through the production of a literature review.</li><li>To enable students to explore in depth a topic that is of interest to them.</li><li>To develop the ability to communicate a complex topic through a summary oral presentation.</li><li>To strengthen critical thinking skills through evaluation of topic summaries using different approaches to literature reviewing. </li></ul> Students should be able to:  <ul><li>Describe in depth a Degree Programme-related scientific topic  </li><li>Conduct thorough literature searches to investigate a specific scientific topic  </li><li>Critically evaluate primary research papers</li><li>Synthesise scientific information and develop scientific writing skills to produce a literature review  </li><li>Effectively organise their time to manage multiple tasks and deadlines  </li><li>Communicate complex scientific ideas through oral presentation  </li><li>Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of different approaches to synthesising large volumes of scientific information </li></ul> Analytical skills Each source of information found during the literature search must be critically analysed. Students must think about the reliability of source of information. Research Students are expected to carry out a literature review using academic databases, read scientific papers and then produce an Extended Essay on that topic. Written communication Students are expected to produce a literature review on a topic that interests them. Other Oral communication skills (Presentation), organisational and time management skills (Production of a Plan). Reflection and critical evaluation skills. The Extended Essay topic is chosen by your second-year tutor and you will work on the Science Communication unit within your tutor group. A compulsory Plenary session will happen in the first semester to guide you on writing the Extended Essay and completing the assessments. The first task of the unit is the production of an essay plan based on your initial understanding of the topic that you will then critically evaluate and further develop using feedback from your tutor. An oral presentation of your Extended Essay topic will be given to your tutor group before you submit the essay. At the end of the semester you will submit a short written reflective summary on the process of your own researching, planning and writing, including a critical evaluation of the strengths and limitations of different approaches to synthesising large volumes of scientific information. 0 Other 5% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 70% 7 Oral assessment/presentation 25% Extended Essay - 70%Short Oral Presentation - 25%Reflective Summary - 5% You will be given feedback directly from your tutor on your Extended Essay plan, your Oral Presentation and your Extended Essay. The feedback will be given in written form but, where appropriate, direct and immediate verbal feedback may also be given. In addition to your tutor feedback, through discussion exercises within tutorials you will also be able to reflect on the comments from your peers.     N Assessment practical exam 1 0 99