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Description
The specialisation Science Communication and Society (SCS) concerns science communication in a broad sense. The programme focuses on the link between science and society and covers knowledge and skills in the field of science communication.
The programme prepares students for a career in the area of science communication, 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.
Programme
The MSc programme in combination with the Science Communication and Society (SCS) specialisation consists of two components:
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. A maximum of 20 EC of electives can be filled in with either SCS courses, or with components within the MSc programme of choice.
Biology
The Biology component consist of a research project of 36 EC and 24 EC of advanced theory (courses and lectures). The Biology component can be extended with an additional 20 EC (courses or extension of the research project).
The Specialisation Research Project has to be done within the theme of the specialization.
A “Fish specific animal experimentation course (2 EC) or a “Bird specific animal experimentation course (2 EC) is obligatory in case of a research project in which experiments with fish or birds are involved.
Theoretical components should be minimally at level 400. The individual study programme consisting of choices of courses and the research project must have prior approval by the Board of Examiners through approval of the individual study plan of a student and approval of the research agreement.
Science Communication and Society
The Science Communication component consists of the parts specified as follows:
Science Journalism/Wetenschapsjournalistiek, 4 EC
Policy and Development in Science and Society, 4 EC
Research in Science Communication, 4 EC
Informal Science Education, 4 EC
Science Communication Product Development, 4EC
SCS: Scientific Narration and Visualization, 3 EC
Internship
SCS Project Proposal, 3 EC
SCS internship(s), 14-34 EC
Approval of program
All master students have to submit a study plan, consisting of choices of courses and one or two research projects to the Study Adviser. Through the submission of this study plan, the Board of Examiners determines whether the individual study program can be approved.
Career Orientation
Career preparation at Leiden University
In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.
'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
2. Transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies, what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through internships, work placements, projects, practical (social) assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment.
5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences from the work field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Employability in the curriculum of Biology
You will also find these employability elements in your study programme. Examples of subjects that pay attention to this are:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
Examples of subject-specific skills are: using a microscope, cell cultures, sampling, experimental design, executing fieldwork, morphological analysis, laboratory skills, in situ conservation, bio-modeling, bioinformatics, molecular biology techniques such as genome sequencing, microarrays , et-cetera.
2. Transferable skills
These include cognitive skills, such as researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions and digital skills; intrapersonal skills, such as reflecting, independent learning, resilience, and metacognition; and interpersonal skills, such as oral and written communication, collaboration, presenting and societal awareness. In short, they are skills that all professionals need in order to perform well.
3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies: what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market? In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development: who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through research projects/internships, laboratory training, fieldwork, practical assignments et cetera, which are integrated into courses and research projects.
5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences from the work field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Activities to prepare for the labour market co-curricular or outside the curriculum
Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market, especially where it concerns orientation towards the work field/the labour market, (career) skills and self-reflection. These may be information meetings on decision moments within your programme, but also career workshops and events organised by your own programme, the faculty Career Service or your study association.
Science Skills Platform with a Personal and Professional development domain
(Study) career meetings
Guest lectures
Alumni lectures
Company visits and company dinners
Lunch & Learn lectures by companies
IBL, Naturalis and CML symposia & lecture series.
Introductory meeting with the study advisor
Introductory meeting Science Career Service
(International) Leiden Leadership Programme
Mentorship and tutoring
Workshops en Career Colleges (Science Career Service)
Biology Career Event
Other career events such as BCF Career Event, Bio Science Park excursion, Science Career Event/Beta Banenmarkt
Events organized by the Study Association ‘Leidse Biologen Club’, such as a Meet & Greet with PhD candidates
Regular information sessions with the study advisor
Research Project Market
Research skills as part of the master research project
Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar
Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the course calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.
