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Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication (PGCertSciComm)

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Apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication (PGCertSciComm)

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Overview

The Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication (PGCertSciComm) caters for a range of students – those with no prior experience in science communication who want an introduction to the discipline as well as those who are already professional science communicators and have a desire to fill a skills gap or increase their understanding of the science of science communication.

The PGCertSciComm can be taken full-time in one semester or part-time over a longer period.

The University of Otago’s Centre for Science Communication, the home of story-telling and science, offers three endorsements in the PGCertSciComm:

  • Creative Non-Fiction Writing in Science (available through Distance Learning)
  • Science and Natural History Filmmaking
  • Science in Society

Students who want to develop professional filmmaking skills should consider the MAppSc (Science and Natural History Filmmaking) or MSciComm (Science and Natural History Filmmaking).

Contact details

Department of Science Communication

Email sciencecommunication@otago.ac.nz
Website sciencecommunication.info

Subject area

Science Communication

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Programme requirements

Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication (PGCertSciComm) endorsed in Creative Non-Fiction Writing in Science

Papers

On campus - three of:

  • SCOM 402 The Craft of Storytelling
  • SCOM 403 Science and Creative Non-Fiction Writing
  • SCOM 404 Science Communication Internship
  • SCOM 413 Digital Production for Science Communication

Distance - three of:

  • SCOM 409 Introduction to Science Communication*
  • SCOM 432 The Craft of Storytelling
  • SCOM 433 Science and Creative Non-Fiction Writing
  • SCOM 434 Science Communication Internship

* SCOM 409 Introduction to Science Communication has been approved for online delivery in 2021 to assist students impacted by COVID-19. The online version of this paper cannot be selected through eVision. To apply see the Learning at Otago in 2021: Online - How to apply.

One other paper at 400-level may be substituted for one of the prescribed papers, with approval from the Director of the Centre for Science Communication.

Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication (PGCertSciComm) endorsed in Science and Natural History Filmmaking

Papers
  • SCOM 405 Business of Filmmaking
  • SCOM 411 The Techniques of Natural History and Science Filmmaking 1
  • SCOM 412 The Techniques of Natural History and Science Filmmaking 2

One other paper at 400-level may be substituted for one of the prescribed papers, with approval from the Director of the Centre for Science Communication.

Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication (PGCertSciComm) endorsed in Science in Society

Papers
  • SCOM 404 Science Communication Internship
  • SCOM 406 Science Exhibitions and Interpretation
  • SCOM 409 Introduction to Science Communication

One other paper at 400-level may be substituted for one of the prescribed papers, with approval from the Director of the Centre for Science Communication.

Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication (PGCertSciComm) unendorsed option

Papers

Any three SCOM 400-level papers which do not satisfy the requirements for one of the other Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication endorsements.

One other paper at 400-level may be substituted for one of the prescribed papers, with approval from the Director of the Centre for Science Communication.

Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Science Communication (PGCertSciComm)

  1. Admission to the Programme

    1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Sciences), on the advice of the Director of the Centre for Science Communication.
    2. Every applicant shall either
      1. have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Science; or
      2. have alternative qualifications acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).

  2. Structure of the Programme

    Every programme of study shall be as prescribed for one of the options in the PGCertSciComm Schedule.

  3. Duration of the Programme

    1. The programme may be taken by full-time candidates in one semester.
    2. A candidate shall satisfy the requirements for the certificate within two years of admission to the programme.

    3. Variations

      The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.

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