Introduction
SCS: Scientific Narration and Visualization is an 11 week course course which is part of the Science Communication and Society specialisation. The course is open to MSc students from the Faculty of Science and to MSc students in the Biomedical Sciences program of LUMC. Other students who are interested in following this course, should contact their own study advisor for permission.
Admission Requirements
This course is available for master students within the Science Faculty or the Biomedical Sciences program at LUMC. Other students who are interested should contact their own study advisor for permission.
NOTE:
Because of COVID-19, we are expecting to move this course partly or completely online. However, we will keep to the same schedule and plan the course physically where possible. Consequently, you need to be able to be present for physical courses at the University of Leiden in case physical classe are possible.
Description
This course focusses on the last part of a scientific project: presenting results and explaining insights. The course deals with unconventional ways of conveying scientific insights, i.e. all forms besides scientific articles and scientific posters. This course is different compared to e.g. data visualization as it deals with conveying understanding instead of data.
Course objective
The main learning goal of this course it to make students aware of the drawbacks and advantages of the various forms of conveying scientific insights, such that they will be able to use the most appropriate form for their cases.
Structure of lessons
Each lesson consists of three parts. In part one we discuss the assignments of the previous week. Starting from lesson IV as only after lesson III the homework assignments start. I will select three works that we will discuss in class. So be prepared to present your assignment. In part two we will discuss the reading material of that week. And in part three, I will present a series of examples that illustrate the reading material of that week.
Course Schedule
Preliminary schedule: Classes will take place on Tuesday mornings 9-12h from September 7 - November 9 2021. Room schedule will follow.
Mode of Instruction
Lectures, self study
Assessment
There is a weekly assignment running five times, starting after lesson III. And there is a larger assignment to end this course with. Both assignments count for 50% of the final grade.
The weekly assignment has the following form: select the form that was discussed in class, and combine that form with a scientific topic, in order to explain (part of) that topic. You can use the suggestions from the following table, but you may also try your own topic, as long as it belongs to the natural sciences. I won’t provide reading material for the underlying topics; it is your responsibility to study the topic of your choice.
Application
You can apply for this course through this application form.
Contact information
For any information regarding this course or the SCS specialisation in general you can contact our department through: infoscs@biology.leidenuniv.nl.