This program aims to further professional development in communication skills for students intending to work in the sciences. A demand has also existed from potential employers for literate, articulate and skilled communicators in the fields of Science, Health Science and Engineering. Emphasis is placed on communication in non-formal settings. It includes study of the public understanding of the sciences together with practical science communication skills for use in a variety of settings.

Students are encouraged to develop critical and analytical skills so they can evaluate the effectiveness of communication in a variety of contexts.

Career options

Areas of potential employment include those places where the public needs to be presented with clear, concise, accurate and understandable information.

These include:

• community health;
• occupational health;
• government instrumentalities such as CSIRO;
• government departments such as the Department of Primary Industries, Department of Resource Industries and the National Parks and Wildlife Service;
• museums and exploratoria;
• public relations sections in private industry and commerce; and
• popular scientific and technological magazines.

To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete six courses plus a dissertation or 72 units of credit as outlined below.

The Masters and the Graduate Diploma of Sciences Communication have a common first 2 years. This increases the flexibility of offering and allows students to decide at the end of their first 2 years of study whether they wish to go on to complete a master's degree, or be awarded the graduate diploma.

Students who have a graduate diploma may enter the third year of the program, and upon completion of a research project may be awarded a master's degree.