Science Communication MSc

Program Overview

The MSc in Science Communication from the University of Sheffield equips graduates to effectively convey scientific knowledge to diverse audiences. Through hands-on training, students develop skills in writing, media production, and communication strategies. The program emphasizes the role of science communication in society and prepares students for careers in science, technology, and the media.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MSc in Science Communication is designed to equip students with the skills to effectively communicate science to a wide range of audiences. The program focuses on developing students as science communicators, rather than marketing professionals. It aims to teach students how to share their scientific knowledge with others who may not have the same level of expertise. The program emphasizes hands-on training, covering various communication methods, including writing, film and television production, social media, and designing science communication activities. Students will gain experience in informing, educating, and entertaining audiences about the latest scientific topics. The program also emphasizes the relationship between science, the media, and the public, and the role of science communication in society. Students will develop a portfolio of high-quality science communication work and gain experience that can be included on their CVs.

Outline:

The program is structured around a combination of core modules and optional modules.

Core Modules:

• Engaging with the Public: This module involves planning, organizing, and delivering a public engagement or schools outreach event based on research conducted in the Faculty of Science at the University of Sheffield.
Students will learn about audience and venue considerations, choosing a science topic, budgeting, risk assessment, contingency planning, and evaluation. They will also attend and report on a real-life public engagement event. It covers a wide range of topics related to science communication in the digital age.
• Research Methods: This module provides an introduction to social scientific research methods as applied in the communications, media, and journalism fields.
It covers topics such as surveys, questionnaire design, focus groups, interviewing, ethnography, content analysis, discourse analysis, and different aspects of information search, research design, project management, and research presentation.
• Communicating with the Media: This module teaches students how to communicate messages through the media.
It covers the development of communication strategies, understanding news values and news cycles, and strategies for successful and ethical communication.
• Topical Science: This module focuses on communicating new scientific research to a range of audiences.
It covers various writing styles, including news articles, opinion pieces, features, and stories.
• Ethics and Regulation: This module examines ethical controversies in journalism, including debates about freedom of expression, responsibility, privacy rights, and media representation of vulnerable groups.
It covers statistical techniques and data science methods.
• Science Communication Project: This project provides students with a choice of three pathways: critical analysis of the literature, developing experimental methods to test a hypothesis, or a practice-based approach (which may include an optional work-placement).

Optional Modules:

The program offers a selection of optional modules, which may vary from year to year. Examples of optional modules include:

• Science Communication in a Pandemic: This module explores the effectiveness of virtual conferences and the role of social media in disseminating public health messaging.
• Writing women into the history of science: This module challenges the gender gap in STEM by examining the contributions of women in science.
• Animation as a form of science education: This module explores the factors that determine successful educational animations.

Assessment:

Assessment is 100% coursework-based and includes:

• A written and creative portfolio of print materials and digital content
• Reflective pieces
• Spoken presentations
• Practical exercises
• A dissertation

Teaching:

Teaching is led by expert scientists with experience in public communication and professional journalists with backgrounds in print, broadcast, and online journalism. Students will also meet regularly with their personal tutor and project dissertation supervisor. The University of Sheffield has a long history of delivering science communication and outreach work to various audiences, including local and national festivals, schools activities, and media work. Students have opportunities to get involved in these projects and put their skills into practice alongside their studies.

Careers:

Graduates of this program are well-positioned to pursue careers in science, technology, and the media. Previous graduates have worked in press offices, newsrooms, research institutes, and charities in roles such as:

• STEM Editor
• Assistant Editor
• Senior Medical Writer
• Events Assistant
• Corporate Communications Manager
• Press Officer
• Science Journalist
The program also provides a foundation for those who wish to pursue a PhD in research.

Other:

The program is taught in collaboration with the Department of Journalism. The program is offered on a full-time basis and lasts for one year. The program is open to students with a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate honors degree in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, mathematics, engineering, or other science-related subject. Medical students who wish to intercalate their studies are also eligible to apply. The program is taught at the University of Sheffield, which is located in the city of Sheffield, England.