Course details

Summary

Dunedin is a UNESCO City of Literature, supports an International Science Festival, and is the wildlife capital of New Zealand, with colonies of seals, albatross and penguins all within the city's boundaries. The outstanding natural environment and dynamic cultural environment provide an excellent setting for the University of Otago’s Centre for Science Communication, the home of story-telling and science.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm) offers three Science Communication endorsements:

• Creative Non-Fiction Writing in Science
• Science and Natural History Filmmaking
• Science in Society

Programme Requirements

Postgraduate Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm) endorsed in Creative Non-Fiction Writing in Science

Papers

SCOM 402 The Craft of Storytelling

SCOM 403 Science and Creative Non-Fiction Writing

SCOM 404 Science Communication Internship

SCOM 409 Introduction to Science Communication

SCOM 413 Digital Production for Science Communication

one other 400-level paper

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 Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm) endorsed in Science and Natural History Filmmaking

Papers

SCOM 402 The Craft of Storytelling

SCOM 405 Business of Filmmaking

SCOM 409 Introduction to Science Communication

SCOM 411 The Techniques of Natural History and Science Filmmaking 1

SCOM 412 The Techniques of Natural History and Science Filmmaking 2

SCOM 413 Digital Production for 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 Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm) endorsed in Science in Society

Papers

SCOM 402 The Craft of Storytelling

SCOM 404 Science Communication Internship

SCOM 406 Science Exhibitions and Interpretation

SCOM 409 Introduction to Science Communication

SCOM 413 Digital Production for Science Communication

and one other 400-level paper

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 Diploma in Science Communication (PGDipSciComm) unendorsed option

Papers

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

Up to two papers at 400-level may be substituted for two of the prescribed papers, with approval of the Director of the Centre for Science Communication.

Entry criteria

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.

Every applicant shall either

• have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Science; or
• have alternative qualifications acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).

English Language Requirements: IELTS - Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22.; Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.