Master of Sciences Communication CF13

Duration: 3 years part-time.
Mode & Location: external only
Fees: full-fee-paying
Courses/Units of Credit: 6 courses plus dissertation/72 units of credit
Faculty: Arts, Health & Sciences; Engineering & Physical Systems
Entry: direct
Exit Awards: Graduate Certificate/Graduate Diploma in Sciences Communication
Contact: Program Advisor on 07 4930 9641 or email p.field@cqu.edu.au

Program Overview

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.

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.

Entry

Entrants require a good pass degree in:

• one of the sciences;
• health science;
• one of the technologies;
• engineering.

Potential students who have a Graduate Diploma of a relevant discipline may gain entry to Level 3 of the program.

Intending Masters students should discuss potential research projects with the program advisor at the time of enrolment in the research courses listed below.

Program Structure

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.

Students must complete:

Code	Course
5 core coursework courses, which are:
Autumn
COMM20034	Oral Communication
SCIE20015	Issues in the Sciences
Winter
JOUR20016	Media & Communication
NURS20129	Education in Non-Formal Settings
COIS20064	Scholarly Information Sources
2 research courses in the final 2 years; one involving a research project.
COMM29113	Sciences Communication Dissertation A
COMM29114	Sciences Communication Dissertation B
COMM29115	Sciences Communication Dissertation C
plus
COIS19071	Research Methods

Regulations Regarding Plan Dissertation

Management Committee

The Management Committee, a sub-committee of Academic Board, is comprised of:

Chair - Lesley Warner - Faculty of Arts, Health & Sciences.

Alan Knight - President, Academic Board (ex-officio)

Don Bowser - Professional and Graduate Education.

John Jackson - Faculty of Business & Law.

Debbie Orr - Division of Library, Information & Media Services.

Errol Vieth - Faculty of Informatics & Communication.

Leonie Williams - Faculty of Arts, Health & Sciences.

Stewart Marshall - Faculty of Informatics & Communication

Karl Neuenfeldt - Faculty of Informatics & Communication

The Committee will:

1. advise the Academic Board on all academic matters pertaining to dissertations;
2. admit students to candidature and approve dissertation topics;
3. appoint supervisors, advise on required standards of supervision, receive and consider periodic reports from candidates and supervisors;
4. appoint examiners;
5. control the timing and process of assessments of dissertations; and
6. perform other functions required by Academic Board.

Eligibility for Enrolment

Candidates will be enrolled for dissertation only if they have achieved a satisfactory standing in postgraduate studies in the subject area; and satisfactory supervision of the proposed topic can be arranged.

Prior to Enrolment

Before submitting an application for admission to a dissertation the candidate shall discuss the proposed candidature with the Chair of the Management Committee and after consultation with such persons as the Chair may direct, formulate a proposed program of research.

The following information must be presented with the enrolment form:

1. student's academic record;
2. name of proposed supervisor together with statement of acceptance by that supervisor;
3. evidence the work will be supported by a sponsoring organisation for the purpose of obtaining data (if appropriate);
4. outline of the proposed topic; and
5. any other pertinent information.

Enrolment

If the information submitted is satisfactory to the Chair of the Management Committee the proposal will be forwarded to the Management Committee for consideration. The committee will:

1. approve the candidature for a dissertation, set any special conditions, including ethics committee approval, that might apply to the work and appoint a supervisor;
2. require the applicant to submit further information; or
3. not approve the candidature

Dissertation

The rules for the dissertation are available from the Chair of the Management Committee.