Prospectus

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Science Communication and Society

Description

The specialisation Science Communication and Society concerns science communication in a
broad sense. The programme prepares students for a career in popularisation of science, for
example, as a science communicator, a science policymaker or a public relations or health
communication officer, or for a career as a scientist with a communicating mind-set. For
future science teachers the specialisation is also a valuable preparation.

Students with an MSc specialisation Science Communication and Society are admissible to a
PhD programme in their MSc research field or in Science Communication.

Admission requirements

Admissible to the specialisation SCS are all students that are admitted to a Master Programme
of the Faculty of Science or the Master Programme in Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of
Medicine (LUMC) provided that the rules and regulations of the subject Master Programme
do allow so. Preferably, the BSc programme has included some coursework in (science)
communication.

In addition, international applicants must provide proof of proficiency in English with an
IELTS ≥ 6.5.

Programme

The entire MSc programme in combination with the Science Communication and Society (SCS)
specialisation consists of two components:

  • a component within the chosen MSc programme (Mathematics, Computer Science, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, Life Science and Technology, Biomedical Sciences (LUMC)).

  • a Science Communication and Society component.

Preferably, the component within the chosen MSc programme should be followed during the
first year of study, the Science Communication and Society component should be followed
during the second year.

The SCS specialisation programme comprises at least 40 EC and a maximum of 60 EC, including:

  • SCS Fundamentals (19 EC)

  • Scientific Narration and Visualization (4 EC)

  • SCS research proposal (3 EC)

  • SCS internship(s) (14-34 EC).

More information

SCS specialisation

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Science Communication and Society Fundamentals 19
SCS: Scientific Narration & Visualization 4
Science Communication and Society Internship 14/34
Science Communication and Society Project Proposal 3

Electives

The Science Communication and Society department currently provides one elective course for master students. Note: The Science Journalism course is also one of the sections of the course Science Communication & Society Fundamentals (19 EC). Only this section can be taken separately.
The course Science Communication & Society Elective is available for SCS students; other students need permission from their exam board and the SCS coordinator.

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Science Journalism 3
Science Communication and Society Elective 1/10