Science & Health Communication

A masters’ degree in science communication at DCU was founded in 1996 and is well recognised and received in Ireland and abroad. A health communication strand was added in 2018. Many of our past students have become key figures in science communication, science policy and public engagement. We welcome prospective students who are already in careers in STEM education and public engagement, working in scientific, engineering, environmental and medical fields, in addition to those with backgrounds in the humanities and the social sciences who are interested in science communication as a field and a profession. We also welcome those interested in leadership and communication in the commercial biomedical sector as well as public health policy, administration and regulation, and environmental communication. The common interest we seek from these diverse backgrounds is that they share a passion and commitment for effectively communicating inspiring, emerging and at times challenging scientific knowledge to various groups and sectors across society.

The MSc in Science and Health Communication includes modules on e-health governance, gender and inclusivity, and data communication, alongside modules on media skills, audience research and planning strategic communication programmes.

Our alumni are sought after by many private and public sector institutions who strive for better communication of science. Our students, and what they will learn, will be at the centre of global policy for the foreseeable future.

Programme Content and Structure
This programme is offered full-time over one year and part-time over two years.

Students take a combination of core and option modules in areas such as Research Methods; Strategic Communications for STEM, Environment and Healthcare; Informatics in eHealth; Science and Health in the Media; Data Communication; Understanding Social Media. The programme also includes practically oriented modules including Media and Communication Skills and Making Smartphone Videos. All students complete a Major Project/Dissertation and can avail of a work placement.

Programme Academic Structure for 2023 - 2024, MSc in Science and Health Communication
This information is provisional & subject to change.

Full-time Programme Structure
Year 1 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
CM5032 Strat. Comm. for STEM, Envirn. & Healthcare 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM5033 Data Communication 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM534 Science and Health in the Media 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM538 MSHC Project/Dissertation 25 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
CM5700 Introduction to Research 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM588 INTRA Work Placement: MSHC 5 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
CM5992 Research Methodologies 5 Semester 2 0 100 1

Year 1 Optional Modules -
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
CM5002 Understanding Social Media 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM536 Media Audiences and Consumption 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM5630 Social Media, Journalism and Democracy 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM580 Gender and Sexuality in Digital Culture 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM582 Science & Society 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM5968 Communicative Democratic Innovations: Partici 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM5995 Political Economy of the Environment 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
UM405 Uaneen Non-Contributing Module Year long 0 100 1

Part-time Programme Structure
Year 1 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
CM534 Science and Health in the Media 10 Semester 2 0 100 1

Year 1 Optional Modules,
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
CM5002 Understanding Social Media 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM5033 Data Communication 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM536 Media Audiences and Consumption 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM5630 Social Media, Journalism and Democracy 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM580 Gender and Sexuality in Digital Culture 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM582 Science & Society 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM588A INTRA Work Placement: MSC 5 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
CM5968 Communicative Democratic Innovations: Partici 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM5995 Political Economy of the Environment 10 Semester 2 0 100 1

Year 2 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
CM538 MSHC Project/Dissertation 25 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
CM5700 Introduction to Research 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM588 INTRA Work Placement: MSHC 5 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
CM5992 Research Methodologies 5 Semester 2 0 100 1

Year 2 Optional Modules,
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
CM536A Media Audiences and Consumption 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM580A Gender and Sexuality in Digital Culture 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM5968A Communicative Democratic Innovations: Partici 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM5995A Political Economy of the Environment 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
UM405 Uaneen Non-Contributing Module Year long 0 100 1

For admission to the MSc in Science and Health Communication programme, successful applicants will have -

A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.2 or above) or equivalent

Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.

International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about the English language requirements for DCU's School of Communications.

Application Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:

Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2024.
Closing date for EU applicants is 31st July 2024.
Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.

All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.

Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie

To apply for this programme:
Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation if applicable.
If applicable, evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

The programme commences in September 2024

Careers
Graduates of this programme have found employment in science public relations and information services, science journalism, science broadcasting, science teaching, science demonstration and display, science publishing, web editing for science institutions and educational software authoring.