Science Communication

Cycle

Segundo ciclo

Degree

Master

Coordinator

António Granado e Ana Sanchez (ITQB)

Opening date

September 15, 2014

Vacancies

10 vagas

Fees

1st year - 1.000,00 € / 2nd year - 1.000,00 €

Schedule

After-work schedule

Education objectives

Portugal has a scientific culture deficit. Despite the considerable progress of the scientific community, Portuguese science does not reach its main subsidizer – society – either because it is not communicated by the research institutions or because it is not properly handled by mass media, lacking qualified professionals in this area. A third player in the mission to bring science closer to the public is represented by science museums and science centers, that represent an important link between research institutions and the public. Intending to raise society’s science literacy as its ultimate purpose, the Master in Science Communication has three main goals:
a. Raise awareness of the importance to communicate scientific issues in a society
increasingly dependent on science and technology;
b. Motivate future communicators and educators for science communication in its different forms;
c. Contribute to establish science communication as a common practice in all research institutions.

In its practical component, this study cycle has the collaboration of several entities, including the Lisbon Oceanarium.

At the end of this study cycle, students should be able to:
a. recognize the importance to contribute to increase science literacy and the main ways to do it;
b. identify the distinctive aspects of science and science communication that require specific communication training;
c. develop communication plans appropriate for different audiences, through media, in schools and science centers/museums, and at research institutions.

Access conditions

1)In accordance with n.º 1, article 17 of Decree-Law n.º 74 of 24 March 2006 2)Candidates who meet the academic and curriculum requirements set forth in number 1 of the above article will be selected and ranked according to the following criteria: a.Final grade of 1st cycle degree (licenciatura); b.Academic and scientific curriculum: c.Professional curriculum; d.Interview (optional).

Degree pre-requisites

Length: 3 semesters. Total credits: 93 credits (60 in course units of the study programme + 33 in the non-taught component). Types of non-taught component: Dissertation or Project Work, or Internship with Report.

Access to other courses

Completion of the Masters degree allows the holder to apply for the cycle of studies which leads to a Doctorate Degree. For the specific access requirements for doctoral programmes, consult the regulations governing the doctoral programmes at FCSH, UNL.

Evaluation rules

1) No obligatory precedences for attending the program’s courses. 2) Knowledge evalutation in the courses is individual and takes place at the end of each semester. The following tools will be considered: final oral and/or written assignments, papers or other assessment tools, in conditions to be agreed upon with each lecturer. The result of the evaluation is expressed in a mark from 0 to 20. 3) Approval in a course requires a final grade equal to or above 10. 4) Only those students who have obtained 60 ECTs on the scholar part of the program can proceed to the dissertation or project. 5) For the evaluation of the dissertation and project, please consult FCSH’s relevant regulations.

Structure

Mandatory
Code	Name	ECTS
Options
722011140	Science and Scientists	10
722011142	Science and Society	10
722011144	Communication Science and Education	10
722011143	Strategic Communication of Science	10
722011141	Science Journalism	10
722011145	Science communication in practice	10

Elective option 1
Code	Name	ECTS
Options
722011148	Dissertação em Comunicação de Ciência (not translated)	33
722011146	Estágio com Relatório em Comunicação de Ciência (not translated)	33
722011147	Trabalho de Projecto em Comunicação de Ciência (not translated)	33