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The Science Communication course is aimed at allowing students to explore the literature around a topic and report on those findings through different media. The assessment for the unit consists of an individual Extended Essay and an Oral Presentation on a scientific topic, as well as a reflection exercise. The unit runs throughout the academic year in tandem with the second year tutorial programme BIOL20000/20021. 

• To develop skills in searching academic literature to research a specific scientific topic.
• To develop the ability to interpret and analyse scientific literature.
• To practise scientific writing through the production of a literature review.
• To enable students to explore in depth a topic that is of interest to them.
• To develop the ability to communicate a complex topic through a summary oral presentation.
• To strengthen critical thinking skills through evaluation of topic summaries using different approaches to literature reviewing. 

Students should be able to:  

• Describe in depth a Degree Programme-related scientific topic  
• Conduct thorough literature searches to investigate a specific scientific topic  
• Critically evaluate primary research papers
• Synthesise scientific information and develop scientific writing skills to produce a literature review  
• Effectively organise their time to manage multiple tasks and deadlines  
• Communicate complex scientific ideas through oral presentation  
• Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of different approaches to synthesising large volumes of scientific information 

The Extended Essay topic is chosen by your second-year tutor and you will work on the Science Communication unit within your tutor group. A compulsory Plenary session will happen in the first semester to guide you on writing the Extended Essay and completing the assessments. The first task of the unit is the production of an essay plan based on your initial understanding of the topic that you will then critically evaluate and further develop using feedback from your tutor. An oral presentation of your Extended Essay topic will be given to your tutor group before you submit the essay. At the end of the semester you will submit a short written reflective summary on the process of your own researching, planning and writing, including a critical evaluation of the strengths and limitations of different approaches to synthesising large volumes of scientific information.

Extended Essay - 70%

Short Oral Presentation - 25%

Reflective Summary - 5%

You will be given feedback directly from your tutor on your Extended Essay plan, your Oral Presentation and your Extended Essay. The feedback will be given in written form but, where appropriate, direct and immediate verbal feedback may also be given. In addition to your tutor feedback, through discussion exercises within tutorials you will also be able to reflect on the comments from your peers.