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Dublin City University

Science & Health Communication

Introduction
We are excited to add a new health communication strand to our longstanding expertise in researching and teaching science communication.

From September 2018 as well as teaching and training for those entering - and continuing - careers in STEM education and public engagement, we welcome students interested in leadership and communication in the commercial medical sector as well as public health policy, administration and regulation.

The new MSc in Science and Health Communication includes e-health governance, stakeholder engagement and management, policy drafting and data communication alongside existing topics on media skills and STEM communication.

Programme
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.

Why DCU
The MSc in Science and Health Communication is located in the School of Communications at DCU, which has an internationally recognised reputation for teaching and research excellence in media, communications and journalism. Staff include leading academic scholars and experienced industry professionals. Their innovative peer-reviewed and internationally ranked research, which is shared in a classroom environment, also helps shape policy decisions about the worlds of media, communications and journalism both in Ireland and internationally. With a tradition stretching back almost 40 years, today the School is home to almost 1,000 students studying undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as well as undertaking doctoral research.

Entry requirements

General Entry Requirements
The programme is suitable for recent graduates and for those with professional experience in science or communications.

To be eligible, candidates are required to have a second class or better honours degree. Consideration is also given to candidates who have lesser qualifications but significant and appropriate professional experience. Applicants are asked to submit an article on a science related topic of 750 words, written for a general interest publication. Selection is done on the basis of the formal application, the submitted article and the candidate's statement of motivation. Candidates may be called for interview which mainly serves the purpose of clarifying for the applicants and for the academic staff on the programme, that the prospective students have a clear sense of what may lie ahead.

Assessment By Interview
Candidates should note that an interview is part of the assessment process for this programme. Shortlisted candidates are expected to be available for interview. Candidates shortlisted for interview will be able to book their interview through their application on the the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) website (www.pac.ie/dcu) Interview slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. It is not possible to accommodate other interview dates.

International Applications
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Careers or further progression

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.