SCI1000 Science communication to influence change
Faculty of Science
SCI1000 Science communication to influence change is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before SCI1000
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After SCI1000
No unit lists SCI1000 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
PROHIBITION: SCI2010, SCI2015, SCI1005 and S3001 The Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours).
Overview
The world is currently facing many challenges, from poverty and inequalty, to degradation of natural resources, climate change and increasingly frequent natural disasters. Science and scientists have key roles to play in understanding and addressing these issues now and in the future, locally and globally. However, scientific insights and solutions are only effective if it they can be shared effectively with other stakeholders – including those with limited scientific training.
In this unit you will choose an issue of interest to you, and conduct a project to find, explore and communicate relevant science to non-specialist audiences. You will have opportunities to work both independently and in collaboration with other students.
SCI1000 will equip you with the skills you need to communicate your thinking, knowledge and findings to others, whether you aim to be a mathematician modelling data, a physicist exploring techniques behind new superconductors, a chemist finding greener approaches for industry, or a biologist increasing the nutritional content of vegetables. Or perhaps you are an earth scientist or ecologist monitoring changes to climate or ecosystems, or someone with a fascination for science who wants to ensure the right ideas are being heard in the right places.
Whatever your areas of interest or career aspirations, the skills you will develop are highly sought by employers in all industries and discipline areas.
As you build skills in finding, analysing, translating, and ethically presenting complex ideas you will also be building a strong foundation for your future studies and career development.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Malaysia | On campus |
| October intake teaching period, Malaysia campus | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Popular media articleWritten25%
- InfographicArtefact20%
- Group vodcastArtefact30%
- Quizzes and workshop activitiesExercise25%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Identify features of effective scientific communication across a range of disciplines, purposes, and audiences;
- 2
Locate and critically evaluate different sources of scientific ideas, knowledge, and research;
- 3
Effectively communicate scientific thinking, complex concepts, and research to different audiences using a variety of formats;
- 4
Explore ethical aspects of science communication and its broader impact on contemporary society;
- 5
Collaboratively communicate scientific concepts and research relating to a sustainable development goal aligned with your areas of study.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- 2-hours of workshop activities;
- 4-hours of online interactive content (videos, readings, instruction and reflection) and
- 6-hours of completing assessments per week.
Self-paced, interactive online modules will introduce you to key concepts at the start of each week. This knowledge will then form the basis of the on-campus workshops, where we collaboratively explore ideas, build connections, and contrast perspectives through a wide range of formative and summative activities. The workshops will also give you time to discuss ideas for your science communication project (assessments 1,2 and 3), and receive feedback from unit staff and other students.
You will develop skills to locate and communicate ideas and information in various formats. The assessment tasks require you to identify and research a topic and then communicate your findings. You will need to consult primary, secondary, and governmental literature (where appropriate) to source information for your topic and reformulate this to communicate it to the desired audience. The first task will be completed independently, and the second in a pair, and the final one will be conducted in small groups.
SCI1000 is arranged into three 4-week modules, each culminating in a piece of assessment that provides scope for you to expand your knowledge and demonstrate different science communication skills. You will engage with a range of videos, readings, worksheets and Moodle activities. Short weekly quizzes will allow you to check your understanding as you progress through the unit.
Learning resources
Required resources
Weekly Readings and Video Content via Moodle Lessons/Books
Weekly content will be arranged using “Moodle Lessons” and/or “Moodle Books”. These two formats arrange content into a linear learning experience, and step you through important content. An important advantage of this format is that ungraded formative assessment can be embedded throughout, allowing you to check your understanding and progress through the topic.
Technology resources
Laptop or tablet
You should bring a laptop to each workshop to access materials and collaborative resources.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Allie Ford
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Allie Ford
- Dr Joash Ban Lee Tan
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for SCI1000?
SCI1000 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is SCI1000 offered?
In 2026, SCI1000 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia.
Does SCI1000 have an exam?
No. SCI1000 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.