News Archive

Good communicators make good teachers. So it makes good sense for UWA’s Science Communication program to be tailored for prospective students.

Undergraduate Science Communication units have been on offer at science students since 2002 and as a postgraduate unit since 2005.Now a brand new postgraduate coursework degree, Master of Science Communication and Education, will be offered from 2008. It is a joint program with the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences and the Faculty of Education.

Dr Nancy Longnecker, who has been teaching in the program since the beginning, said communications and education made a very powerful combination and would fit science students admirably for communication work in and our of the classroom.

“There are a lot of jobs in science communication, in education, research, public programs and the media,” she said. Graduates of the Master of Science Communication and Education would be in high demand.

The new degree was launched recently by WA’s Chief Scientist and UWA’s animal biologist ad neuroscientists, Professor Lyn Beazley, a committed advocate of communication skills in science.

“We need to train many more scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians in the years ahead for sustainable development in WA,” Professor Beazley said. “This new course will help address the shortage of science teachers. It offers students with a potential interest in teaching a new exciting degree course leading to a range of career options. I congratulate all concerned on yet another example of WA leading in innovation.”

Teachers in the program are drawn from Life and Physical Sciences, as well as the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. “With Education joining us next year, we will be truly multi-disciplinary and cross-faculty,” Dr Longnecker said.

The new course is unique and is being offered to both recent Bachelor of Science graduates and current BSc undergraduate students.