SCIGEN 101/101G Communicating for a Knowledge Society

This general education/science course is designed for any student with an interest in learning practical ways to effectively communicate knowledge to a wide range of audiences. It differs from traditional communication courses by concentrating on how to communicate specialist knowledge - (the knowledge you learn here at University in your chosen field of expertise).

When you leave University you will engage professionally with people both inside and outside your field of expertise, this requires competency in all forms of communication. In addition employers seek students who can demonstrate that they are effective communicators. SCIGEN 101/101G meets both of these demands by providing you with essential communication skills.

In addition the course critically examines case studies where society has engaged with science specialists/or rather demanded a say over issues such as genetic engineering, mad cow disease (UK), during biosecurity events (NZ). Through these examples and others you will gain an understanding of the challenges and opportuniites of engaging with the wider community and learn ways to overcome difficulties that may be encountered.

Delivery Format

3 x Lectures per week.

When is it taught?

SCIGEN 101/101G is a ONE semester course. As the course is taught twice in the year, students can enrol in this course in either semester one or semester two.

Specific timetable details and room allocations can be found on SSO the University of Auckland's Student Administration System (PLEASE NOTE - You will find SCIGEN 101/101G listed under "Science General").

Eligibility to Enrol

SCIGEN 101/101G is offered in the following schedules:

The General Education schedule (SCIGEN 101G). Please check out the University's general education website to confirm eligibility to enrol in this course as one of your general education options.

SCIENCE STUDENTS: Although SCIGEN 101 is also available in the science schedule, science students are still able to enrol in this course as one of their general education options (SCIGEN 101G).


The Science Schedule (SCIGEN 101). Students can also take this course as:
an elective subject for BSc students;
a core course in the Certificate in Science;
a COP (Certificate of Proficiency)

Undergraduate students should always talk with their Faculty / departmental advisors to confirm their programme of study.


PhD Students
Some PhD students are asked to take this course during their provisional year as the course covers essential communication skills that are relevant to students at any level. PhD students interested in taking this course should contact the Graduate School (who handle PhD enrolments).

 

Marie McEntee, (Coordinator), School of Environment

Associate Professor Bill Barton, Department of Mathematics

Learning Outcomes

• Gain an understanding of the knowledge society and how experts should communicate in this environment;
• Gain an understanding of the nature and method of communication;

• Gain an understanding of the need to create messages for specific audiences, how to identify audiences’ needs and wants, and learn techniques that can be employed to communicate in an effective manner;
• Critically examine case studies where scientists have engaged with the wider community to understand the challenges faced by knowledge specialists in these situations and learn ways to overcome any difficulties;

• Demonstrate effective ways of managing and presenting data;
• Demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate specialist knowledge using oral, written and visual communication.

Topics Covered

• What is communication?
• What is a knowledge society?
• Written communication – Editing, Academic Abstracts, Essay writing, CV’s & Covering letters
• Oral Communication: PowerPoint Seminars, Interviews, engaging through dialogue
  
• Visual Communication – Academic posters, statistical communication and data management.
  
• Audiences: Communicating expert information to the public – critical examination of case studies
  
• Audiences: Media communication of specialist information– critical examination of case studies
  

Assessment

Students choose ONE topic of interest to them. This topic can come from any specialist area, indeed we recommend you choose one from your major or intended major. Using this topic you are required to complete the following:

On-course assessment: 60%

• Written assignment – academic abstract (300 words) 10%
• Oral Presentation* – using PowerPoint – 15%
• Academic Poster (designed using PowerPoint) OR website  – 25%
• TWO "Remote Labs" each worth 5% - Remote labs are based on specific lecture material and are completed at home. There are NO formal labs for this course.

Through the above assignments you experience communicating your chosen topic using written, oral and visual communication.

Final Exam (2 hours) – 40%

PLEASE NOTE

*The Oral Presentation: Your oral presentation is only presented to around five other students (and any supporters you may want to bring along!) so you shouldn't dismiss this course simply because you don't want to deliver a talk.

SCIGEN 101/101G teaches you the very important skill of presenting orally. As a result you can transfer this knowledge to other courses that often require you to present a seminar but do not specifically teach you the skills to effectively and confidently deliver this. This is also a critical skill that is sought by employers. By taking SCIGEN 101/101G you can demonstrate competency in this skill to your future employers. Come and learn this important skill in a supportive environment.

Student Feedback

In the 2010 Semester 2 University of Auckland Course Evaluation undertaken by students enrolled in the course:

- 91.7% of students agreed or strongly agreed with the category “Overall I was satisfied with the quality of this course".
- 90.5% of students agreed or strongly agreed with the category “Assessments supported the aims of the course".
- 96% of students agreed or strongly agreed with the category “I received helpful feedback on how I was going in this course”
- 89.3% of students agreed or strongly agreed with the category "I was clearly informed how my learning would be assessed"
- 85.7% of students agreed or strongly agreed with the category "The volume of work in the course was fair and reasonable".
- 91.7% of students agreed or strongly agreed with the category "The courses resources and materials helped me learn".
- 89.3% of students agreed or strongly agreed with the category "I had a claer idea of what was expected of me in this course".
- 89.3 of students agreed or strongly agreed with the category "The course content was structured in a clear and logical manner".

The following comments have been written on student evaluations…
“I will recommend it to other people.”
“Interesting course.”
“Lecturers were very enthusiastic about their subjects.”
“Found lecturers really interesting.”
“My computer skills have greatly improved through having to complete assignments.”
“I have learnt valuable skills which can be applied not only when I have graduated, but also in everyday life even in job hunting as I am doing now. I decided to do this course without much understanding of what I would get out of it, but I haven’t looked back on this choice”.
"Assignments were relevant and useful".
"Lecturers were thorough and entertaining".
"Cecil resources and particularly the knowledge map helped my learning"

 

All course resouces are available to enrolled students via Cecil - the University's flexible learning management tool.

• No textbook is required for this course.  Students have full access to further reading material relating to each lecture week through the SCIGEN 101 site on the library’s website.
• All course material including lecture notes and handouts are available on Cecil.
• Course discussions are regularly run through cecil