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.

NOTE: Because of COVID-19, we are expecting to move our program partly or completely online. However, we will keep to the same schedule, so expect a full time course load and make sure you are available to follow the classes physically.

Admission requirements

Admissible to the specialisation SCS are all students that are admitted to a Master Programme of the Faculty
of Science (see programs below) 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) of 60-80 EC

• a Science Communication and Society component, 40-60 EC

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 Courses (23 EC):

  • Research in science communication (4EC)
  • Policy & Development in science and society (4EC)
  • Informal Science Education (4EC)
  • Science Journalism/Wetenschapsjournalistiek (4EC)
  • SCS: Scientific Narration and Visualization (3EC)
  • Science Communication product development (4EC)

• SCS research proposal (3 EC)

• SCS internship(s) (14-34 EC).

More information

• If you are interested in following the SCS specialisation or any of the courses in particular starting from September 2021 you can register through our registration form

• For any information regarding the courses or the SCS specialisation in general you can contact our department through: infoscs@biology.leidenuniv.nl.

• More information can be found also at our website.