BIOG 3500

Introduction to Applied Science Communication: Digital Platforms and Public Engagement

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2017-2018.

Do you want to use digital platforms to reach your audience and communicate science beyond conference seminars, posters and journal articles? You need a science communication strategy! Sharing scientific discoveries is a skill that all scholars should have. In this course you will learn from librarians, local science café curators, podcast producers and from scientists and communication professionals how to build an audience using digital platforms. Fill your science communication tool box, learn how to engage a non-scientist audience through storytelling using videos, podcasts, Wikipedia editing, public science events, social media platforms, blogging and press release writing. Work in groups to apply your skills to a topic of your own research interest. An Engaged Cornell grant will support students' participation in a local science café.

When Offered Fall, summer.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: BIOG 1500 or permission of instructor.

Course Attribute (CU-CEL)

• Demonstrate how to engage the public in a scientific dialogue using a science communication strategy plan.
• Learn how to translate scientific journal articles into easily consumable content for the public.
• Gain hands-on experience with digital communication platforms and learn how to prepare information suitable for those platforms
• Understand and apply the components of science literacy.
• Improve their critical thinking skills as they analyze and evaluate potential media information sources. By doing so, students will gain a deeper appreciation for how information is produced and consumed.
• Develop skills necessary for today's education and tomorrow's employment.

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