Convener approval (permission) to enrol required. Two delivery modes: in-person and online, add correct class number for delivery mode when enrolling.
In this course, academics at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS) offer supervision for an original research project to motivated postgraduate students undertaking a Graduate Certificate of Science Communication (GCSCM) or Master of Science Communication (MSCOM). Students will devise their own science communication research project in collaboration with the supervisor, or can pursue a topic already offered by the supervisor. The project may be either a traditional research project (such as a journal article) or a non-traditional project (such as a documentary or creative output).
The course can be taken as 6 or 12 units:
- A 6-unit project can take the form of a comprehensive literature review, a content analysis, the creation and evaluation of a science communication tool or artefact, or similar - research projects that do not involve human participants except in some cases (and in conversation with their supervisors) a small pilot test.
- The 12-unit version of the course is reserved for projects that involve a prominent human participant component and therefore require the student to apply for, and receive, ethics approval. This includes all focus group, survey and interview-based projects. In rare cases students may be offered the 12-unit version if there are other methodological reasons that necessitate more time be devoted to the project. Each project must be completed within a single teaching session, with the rare exception of longitudinal human participant studies for which a longer time frame is genuinely required to complete the project.
- Only the 6-unit version of SCOM6008 can count towards GCSCM; either the 6-unit version or the 12-unit version can count towards MSCOM.
If the work produced is of a sufficient standard, students may be offered the opportunity to co-publish it with their supervisor. All research projects must be undertaken with appropriate ethics approval to facilitate potential future publication of data.
Students must discuss their project ideas (and potential supervisors) with the course convener prior to enrolling in the course to ensure they enrol in the appropriate version and that a supervisor is available.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Plan, design and undertake a critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic.
- Identify and critically engage with relevant theory and concepts, relate these to the agreed upon methodologies evidence in order to draw well-supported conclusions.
- Engage in systematic discovery and critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources.
- Appropriately apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data.
- Demonstrate understanding of, and adherence to, ethical standards in the collection, analysis and evaluation of data and other research materials.
- Communicate research concepts, processes and findings clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms.
- Develop original lines of inquiry and generate research questions that engage with, and have the potential to extend or critically reframe, existing scholarship.
- Critically reflect on the role of the researcher, including the assumptions, limitations and situated nature of knowledge production.
Other Information
A supervisor must also be available to take the project on: students are advised to speak to potential supervisors early to ensure this is possible. Prior to enrolment, students must have a confirmed supervisor and submit a project abstract to the convener.
The convener offers weekly catch-ups (60min) and two workshops (90min) in addition to an introductory session.
Please see here for current project opportunities: https://cpas.anu.edu.au/study/courses/scom3008/6008-science-communication-special-project-and-scom8000-master-of-science-communication-research-project
Indicative Assessment
- Project (80) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
- Project Proposal (14) [LO 1,3,5,6]
- Reflective Posts (6) [LO 6,8]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Approximately 130 hours of total student learning time per 6 units of enrolment, made up of independent student research, reading and writing. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their supervisor and attend all supervisory meetings.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts. Links to all suggested readings will be provided through the Canvas site.
Assumed Knowledge
Students are expected to have some experience in and knowledge of:
- social science or humanities research skills, including content analysis, textual analysis, discourse analysis and case studies methods.
- history, theory and principles of science communication.
- the practice of science communication, both written and verbal, as well as experience supporting this communication through props, visual aids, multimedia products, and so on.
- the design of science communication research projects, including framing research questions and choosing appropriate methods.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 to 12 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
| 7.00 | 0.14583 |
| 8.00 | 0.16667 |
| 9.00 | 0.18750 |
| 10.00 | 0.20833 |
| 11.00 | 0.22917 |
| 12.00 | 0.25000 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $840 per unit |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $1200 per unit |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1875 | 01 Jan 2027 | 22 Jan 2027 | 22 Jan 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| 1877 | 01 Jan 2027 | 22 Jan 2027 | 22 Jan 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | Online | N/A |
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5462 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| 5494 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | Online | N/A |
Autumn Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5705 | 01 Apr 2027 | 23 Apr 2027 | 23 Apr 2027 | 30 Jun 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| 5707 | 01 Apr 2027 | 23 Apr 2027 | 23 Apr 2027 | 30 Jun 2027 | Online | N/A |
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6817 | 01 Jul 2027 | TBA | TBA | 30 Sep 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| 6833 | 01 Jul 2027 | TBA | TBA | 30 Sep 2027 | Online | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10406 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| 10542 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | Online | N/A |
Spring Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9625 | 01 Oct 2027 | TBA | TBA | 31 Dec 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| 9630 | 01 Oct 2027 | TBA | TBA | 31 Dec 2027 | Online | N/A |