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BMS3016 : Science Communication

  • Offered for Year: 2026/27
  • Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to School approval at module registration
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Beth Lawry
  • Lecturer: Dr Damian Parry, Dr Christina Elliott, Dr Harley Robertson-Cocks
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

•To highlight the importance of science communication in the dissemination of information and the public understanding of science
•To explore science communication in various contexts both as a skillset and as a career choice.
•To explore a range of careers in communication and understand the relationship of these careers to bioscience.
•To examine and compare the principles and techniques of science communication in different media and when developing content for different audiences.
•To develop students’ communication, teamworking and overall employability skills by creating a short portfolio of work showcasing their skills in science communication.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will include:

• How to develop web-based content with regular practice.
• Science communication and public engagement
• Science communication in the media
• Science communication and policy/legal/regulatory affairs
• Science communication within science

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture41:004:00Core module content lectures and guest speakers
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion120:0020:00Presentation and completion of coursework, including related reading and writing
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching13:003:00Oral presentation session
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching11:001:00In person - small groups drop in sessions with Module Leader to discuss assignments
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops42:008:00workshops to develop key skills, also relating to module assessments
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesFieldwork22:004:00External visits for example to the Great North Museum and Centre for Life (or alternatives including remote).
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study581:0058:00Writing lecture notes, reading and engaging with associate module material
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesModule talk21:002:00Synchronous online sessions led by external speakers
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Module talks and lectures: The first to introduce the module; the remainder to be delivered with a range of guest speakers working in different roles in science communication. The guest lectures will showcase the breadth of careers in science communication, and will explain both the nature of each role and the communication techniques required. This will allow students to compare science communication in different professional contexts. Students will have the opportunity to pose questions to the guest lecturers to broaden their understanding of science communication.

Fieldwork: Visits to local museums will provide students with a greater understanding of the challenges facing communicating science to the public and give a behind-the-scenes look at how public spaces are designed to maximise engagement with science.

Workshops: Provide guidance on creating a graphical abstract for practice and assessment based on a scientific journal article from Newcastle University. The second and third workshops will involve presentation skills, and the sessions will cover voice control, body language and good presenting skills, with opportunity for students to practice. Additional and optional further sessions will also be promoted within the module. New skills can then be applied in the oral presentations at the end of the course.


Small group teaching: Sessions with the module leader will allow for the discussion of ideas and assessments to take place and answering of queries through a drop-in surgery.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Design/Creative proj1M40Graphical abstract created from the same paper used for individual oral presentation.
Oral Examination1M60Individual Presentation based on scientific paper (10 min)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Design / Creative project: Students will create a graphical abstract for a lay audience from a scientific journal publication. This will test students' ability to evaluate and interpret scientific information to then convey the information in a relevant and creative manner for the target audience.

Oral presentation (10 minutes): Students will identify and explain key scientific findings from a recent Newcastle University journal publication to a lay audience.

By focusing on the same issue in bioscience, the presentation and design exercise will test the students’ practical understanding of the communication techniques required when working in different media, and when preparing information for different audiences.

FMS Schools offering Semester One modules available as ‘Study Abroad’ will, where required, provide an alternative assessment time for examinations that take place after the Winter vacation. Coursework with submission dates after the Winter vacation will either be submitted at an earlier date or at the same time remotely. The assessment format will not normally vary from the original to ensure learning outcomes are met. Any changes to the original format must meet module learning outcomes and be approved by the school.

Reading Lists

Timetable