The University of Western Australia
Future Students

Science Communication

Tell it like it is!

On this page

  1. Introduction
  2. Course description, features and facilities
  3. Student profile
  4. Structure
  5. Popular combinations
  6. You may also be interested in…
  7. Career opportunities
  8. Further study opportunities
  9. Entrance requirements
  10. How to Apply
 

Introduction

If you love science, are creative and want to work with people, Science Communication is for you.

Science communicators use their knowledge of science to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public and to facilitate discussion about important science issues.

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Course description, features and facilities

UWA is one of only two universities that offer undergraduate science communication programs in Australia. This major must be taken in conjunction with another science major, giving you both sound scientific knowledge and highly marketable communication skills. This major will teach you to communicate effectively with audiences ranging from children to scientists. Science Communication will provide you with experience in new media, written, oral and visual presentations, science performance and working with industry experts. Classes are generally a mixture of lecture and tutorial, complementing learned theory with discussions, demonstrations and collaborative group work. The course provides authentic learning experiences as you develop and refine a Science Communication portfolio, including writing, videos, podcasts, professional reports, presentations, exhibits, posters, websites and more. In your practicum, you are individually placed with an organisation that will enhance your networking and employment opportunities.

Visit the Science website for further information on careers in science, graduate profiles, scholarships and the benefits of choosing science at UWA.


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Student profile

Student profile – Jessie Roxby

Science Communication teaches you how to get scientific information out to different audiences. You also get real life experience. I have helped to design and construct an exhibit for Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre, written a feature story, made movies about research scientists, developed a communication strategy for a Perth organisation and made a school excursion program for the Department of Environment and Conservation. Now I’m doing honours, working with ClimateWatch to research how citizen science programs engage and retain active volunteers. Science Communication is a lot of fun and provides you with a unique and competitive edge.

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Structure

 

UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.

As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.

You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.

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Career opportunities

As a Science Communication graduate you will be sought after by employers for your written and verbal communication skills. Your career could take any number of paths such as finding employment in science centres, museums, zoological and botanical gardens, environmental education, schools, research organisations including government agencies, non-government organisations, hospitals, industry and as journalists. Some graduates have been offered positions by the organisation that hosted their practicum placement.

I want to be a…

This course could lead to becoming a:

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Further study opportunities

Students with a Science Communication major can pursue further studies at honours level, Master of Science Communication or PhD. Other further study options include the Master of Science, Master of Science Communication and Education, and the Master of Teaching.

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Check the Entrance requirements

This course is available to Australian and International students.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. Additional information
  3. Recommended subjects
  4. English competency
  5. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
  • A scaled score of 50 or above in at least WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
80
International Baccalaureate
  • A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)
29

Additional information

If you do not have a pass in Mathematics 3C/3D, you will need to do additional mathematics study during your first year.

Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).

Recommended subjects

Qualification and recommended subjects
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
  • A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Mathematics 3A/3B
International Baccalaureate
  • A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Methods)

English competency

University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.

Advanced standing

If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).

Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. English competency
  3. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		12
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		60
French Baccalaureat
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		12
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in GCE AS-level Mathematics.		8
Chinese Gao Kao
A score of 80 (out of 150) or above in Mathematics		525
German Abitur
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		3.17
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		60
International Baccalaureate
A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)		29
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		270
Norwegian Vitnemål
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		4.14
Swedish Slutbetyg
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		15.70
Trinity College Foundation Program
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		85
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
A grade of B6 or above in Mathematics; if you do not have Advanced Mathematics (I) or (II), you will be required to complete a mathematics unit in your first year.		12
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
Mathematics units as specified in UWAFP prospectus		66
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
A scaled mark of 50 or more in at least Mathematics 2C/2D		63
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in H1-level Mathematics.		8
South African National Senior Certificate
A grade of 3 (40%) or above in Mathematics		4.60

These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.

If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.

English competency

To be eligible for admission to a program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

Advanced standing

Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply

This course is available to Australian and International students.

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. Fees
  4. Information for…
  5. Contact details - admission information

We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.

First semester entry

Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre. Applications open Monday 13 August 2012.

Closing dates:

  • On-time closing date - Friday 28 September 2012
  • The deadline for adding preferences for Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry is Friday 28 September 2012, and late applications will not be accepted.
  • Late applications for other courses will be accepted, with a late fee, until Friday 4 January 2013.
  • Students completing Year 12 in Australia in 2011 can add preferences (except for Medicine and Dentistry Assured Entry Pathways) until Friday 4 January 2013.

Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Second semester entry

Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.

Closing date:

  • Friday 22 June 2012.

After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Fees

$, per year.

This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student contribution will depend on the mix of units you choose. See the unit costs website for details of individual unit costs.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA Admissions Centre (M353)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Location
UWA Map
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
Fax
(+61 8) 6488 1226
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. Information for…
  4. Contact details - admission information

First semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

Closing dates:

  • Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry - 30 June 2011
  • All other courses - 1 December 2011

You must also:

If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.

Second semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

Closing date:

  • 1 June 2011

You must also:

If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA International Centre (M352)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
Fax
(+61 8) 9382 4071
Contacts
International Centre
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Location
UWA Map
Opening hours
Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
About UWA
Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
Foundation and preparatory courses
There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
Social life on campus
There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.

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askUWA - answers online anytime Prospects - online newsletter

Science Communication: the details

Status
Available 2012
Locations offered
Crawley
Attendance types
Part-time, Full-time
Delivery mode
Internal
Starting dates
Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly first year time commitment
12 hours teaching time, plus your own study time.
Standard full-time completion
3 years
Maximum time to complete
10 years
Degrees (available in)

This major is available in:

Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

All majors (except Economics and Biomedical Science double majors, Architecture, Specialist Music Studies and Science Communication) can also be taken as second majors in any of our undergraduate degrees

Honours available
Yes
Contact details: course information

Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences
1st floor, Physics Building (M011), Fairway entrance 2, CRAWLEY, 6009
contactscience@uwa.edu.au
(+61 8)64883396

Footnote links and information

University information

CRICOS Code: 00126G

This page:

Last updated
Wednesday, 8 June, 2011 10:47 AM
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