Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication

APPLY FOR ADMISSIONREQUEST INFORMATION

Pioneering master in Spain, with more than 29 years training scientific communicators. You will learn in a practical way and in direct contact with recognized professionals in scientific, medical and environmental communication who are leaders in the sector.

  • Corporate communications
  • Social media
  • Research

Next edition

Classes start: 16 October, 2023

Program ends: 29 June, 2024 (To be confirmed)

Modality

On-campus&Live

Language

Spanish

ECTS credits

60

Schedule

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm and some Tuesdays from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm. The first two weeks of the program will be intensive.

Price

10000 €

Today more than ever the importance and impact of scientific communication on society have been evidenced. The way in which new knowledge is disseminated and the agents responsible for such communication are decisive in shaping public opinions and attitudes regarding science and technology.

Throughout the program you will learn about the history of science and technology; you will analyse the main sources of scientific information and their forms of transmission; analyse the relationships between the professional world, technology industries and society; see how discoveries impact on people; and learn about ethical problems associated with the field of communication.

You will learn from these and other experts and professionals from different modalities and institutions related to science communication:

  • Gema Revuelta, director and professor of the master's degree as well as director of the Center for the Study of Science, Communication and Society at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (CCS-UPF) and vice president of the Spanish Association of Science Communication (AEC2);
  • Vladimir de Semir, creator of the Science and Technology supplement of La Vanguardia;
  • Núria Jar, Prismas award for the best radio work in 2020;
  • Pedro García Demestres, museographer and expert in science communication;
  • Maria Josep Picó, researcher of the ITACA group and the Living Lab Planeta Debug;
  • Bienvenido León, professor of Science Journalism and Television Production at the University of Navarra.

You will be trained with optimal knowledge for a profession with wide and relevant professional opportunities in the fields of specialization in the press and scientific dissemination, institutional communication and scientific museology.

Thanks to the collaboration of Obra Social "La Caixa", you will be able to participate in the Gutenberg Campus, in which more than 300 communicators, scientists, experts and researchers in scientific culture from all over Spain and Europe participate each year.

Collaborators:

Obra social La CaixaCol·legi de Biòlegs de Catalunya

Why choose this program

01

Position your professional career

The program offers great interdisciplinarity, a balance between theory and practice (with visits to museums, recording studios, etc.) and a unique group dynamic. In addition, through the preparation of the thesis you will create a project that integrates the knowledge acquired and that you can use as a cover letter to enter the world of dissemination.

02

Participate in a large range of internships

You will be able to carry out professional internships in institutions such as the National Centre for Oncological Research, the Institute of Evolutionary Biology CSIC-UPF, the Institute for Biomedical Research (IRB), the Alba Synchrotron, the Catalan Association for Scientific Communication (ACCC), the Centreo for Genomic Regulation Foundation, the LaCaixa Foundation, La Marató of TV3, among others.

03

Increase your network of contacts

You will be part of the Alumni network, made up of professionals from recognized companies and institutions in the sector (media, communication, departments of research centres, hospitals and universities, science museums, organizations dedicated to scientific dissemination, etc.) from different parts of the world.

04

Participate in one of the leading Master's in the sector

26 face-to-face courses and 8 online courses make it one of the benchmark programs in the scientific, medical and environmental communication sector. Its reputation has brought together participants from more than 20 different countries.

05

Learn from experts in each field

The teaching staff of the Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication is made up of professionals and experts from each of the learning areas.

Who is it for?

The Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication is aimed at university graduates who wish to become professionals in scientific communication, a field with notable applications and professional opportunities. The profile of the students is heterogeneous: in the classroom science profiles and communication profiles are mixed, which creates a fluid class dynamic, allowing two-way learning.

Admission and enrolment
close
1/2

Curriculum

The Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication is structured along 14 core subjects organized into 7 topics and focused on three lines of training: science, medicine and the environment.

Science and scientific culture
The science and technology system

The raw material with which the scientific communication professional works is science. But what are we talking about when we use the word "science" today? Is it the same to talk about science as it is to talk about research? What relationships are established between science and society? What is scientific excellence, how is it measured and what should it be?

Science, society and citizen participation

Research projects increasingly include a plan of outreach activities that is required when submitting to public calls. For this reason, in this topic we have integrated into a single term, that of public engagement activities of different formats and with a different level of citizen participation.

Most of the classes are based on practical learning, based on the experimentation of the students with different formats and on solving real problems.

Science and communication
Scientific journalism and dissemination of science

Scientific journalism and popularization of science are close concepts, although many communicators prefer to highlight the differences between them. In this subject, the student will deepen their knowledge of both professional environments, from their origins and historical evolution to the current situation and future trends.

  • Scientific news and the sources of information.
  • The dissemination of science through books, cinema, theatre and television.
  • Science fiction and popular science.
  • Different models of science journalism in the media: daily press, specialized sections and supplements, audiovisuals (television, news, specialized programmes and documentaries), informative scientific magazines, scientific news agencies, etc.
Scientific journalism workshop

In addition, through different practical workshops you will discover various tools and formats for communication and scientific dissemination.

Health and communication
Health, biomedicine and society

The public communication of issues that have to do with health can become key to decision-making, both for citizens and for health professionals themselves and people with political responsibility. The first objective of this topic is to review some of the main health problems and to understand what is being done to prevent, control or treat them.

The student will have the opportunity to delve into the main research tools used in this area, such as the clinical trial for the study of drugs or the main tools used in epidemiology and public health for the study of diseases.

Medical journalism workshop

In the medical journalism workshop, you will work with some of the characteristic concepts of this field, such as the use of statistics and numerical information, and information on drugs in the experimental phase.

Environment and communication
Environmental communication

Environmental journalism arises in parallel to the development of environmental sciences and, in general, awareness from science and from certain social movements, due to the consequences of human activity on the environment.

In the theoretical part of this topic, the development of environmental journalism will be analysed from different points of view, mainly: a) from philosophy, literature and science; and b) from political, economic and social reporting.

Environmental journalism workshop

The environmental journalism workshop is conceived as a deepening of writing and argumentation tasks carried out previously in this Master.

The basic objective is to practice and expand knowledge in the field of journalism and environmental communication, as well as to promote the ability to analyse the content offered by the media.

Institutional Scientific Comunication
Institutional communication workshop
Communication tools
Audiovisual communication and video workshop

The objective of this topic is for students to get to know and practice with the different formats and tools through which science can be communicated, from audiovisual communication. During this topic, the student must develop a video under direct monitoring and personalized tutoring from the teaching staff.

Digital narratives

The objective of this topic is for students to get to know and practice with the different formats and tools through which science can be communicated, from the multiple digital communication channels.

During this topic, the student must develop a digital content plan, and some infographics under direct monitoring and personalized tutoring from the teaching staff.

Oral communication and radio workshop

The objective of this topic is for students to get to know and practice with the different formats and tools through which science can be communicated on the radio. During this topic, the student must develop a radio programme under direct monitoring and personalized tutoring from the teaching staff.

Scientific museology workshop

The objective of this topic is for students to get to know and practice with the different formats and tools through which science can be communicated, from the museology point of view. During this topic, the student must develop a small scientific exhibition under direct monitoring and personalized tutoring from the teaching staff.

Master's thesis
Master's final project

The development of the project within the framework of the Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication involves the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques that are acquired in the program through the development of a written product. The final resulting project must allow the incorporation of the contents of the subjects that are the object of the program, as well as other knowledge and the experience and judgment of the participants.

Thus, the objective of the project is for the participant to consistently integrate the knowledge acquired through the program in such a way as to put into practice their diagnostic and problem-solving skills.

5 possible project typologies are proposed: Business and/or competitive initiative; communicative or informative product; communication plan; analysis and exploration project; and projects with special characteristics. There are no specific restrictions, although participants must find topics of sufficient interest, of a certain entity and of relevance for them to be accepted by the Program Management.

The project is developed individually during the program and the participant will have the support of a mentor assigned by the Program Management.

Complementary activities

The Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication also includes the possibility of participating in practical activities and activities for personal and professional growth such as:

  • Non-teaching Tuesdays will be reserved for optional complementary activities concerning Scientific Culture. Each student must participate in at least two of the recommended activities.
  • UPF-BSM Inside: is a group of interdisciplinary subjects (applied data, communication, creativity, innovation and project management, sustainability and leadership among others) that, if you take this program, you can access at no additional cost. They are 100% online and you can take them throughout the academic year at your own pace, as they have been designed as self-study subjects.

Qualification obtained

Once you have passed the program, you will obtain an electronic degree (e-Título) for the Máster de Formación Permanente en Comunicación Científica, Médica y Ambiental issued by the Pompeu Fabra University

The e-Título is an authentic digital degree, issued in pdf format and electronically signed, with the same legal validity as if it were in paper format.
 

Faculty

The teaching staff of the Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication is made up of professionals and experts from each of the learning areas.

Academic directors

Gema Revuelta De la Poza
Gema Revuelta De la Poza

Lecturer UPF-BSM
Program Academic Director

Coordinator

María Paulina Naranjo
María Paulina Naranjo

Teaching Colaborator

Carolina Llorente Lope

Associate lecturer at Pompeu Fabra University.

Faculty

Gema Revuelta De la Poza

Lecturer UPF-BSM
Program Academic Director

Methodology

Through a practical focus and an applied methodology, the program offers participants the possibility to learn and put into practice all the necessary tools to develop professionally in the field of medical, scientific and environmental communication.

Show video

01.

Continuous assessment

You will have a qualitative returned correction, by the teacher of the subject.

02.

Practical learning

You will learn the topics of the course through practical workshops and first-person experiences.

03.

Final work adapted to your needs

You can choose a thesis according to your interests: Business or competitive initiative; a communicative or informative product; a communication plan or analysis; and exploration project on a sector or on the themes of the master's degree.

Evaluation

All the subjects of the master's degree will be evaluated continuously. The evaluation will consist of the correction of the submissions (individual or group), the multiple answer exams and participation in the classroom. This type of evaluation ensures an equitable distribution of effort and a progressive acquisition of knowledge.

Students will not receive quantitative grades as a mark, but will be informed whether or not they have passed each of the tests and, in most of these, they will also be offered an individualized and formative correction.

In the multiple choice exams, each student will have access to their results and will know, anonymously, the result of the group.

Some of the tests will be evaluated not only by the corresponding teaching staff but also by judges made up of professionals from the sector being analysed. The individual master's project will receive a quantitative assessment as described in the Project Guide that students will receive at the beginning of the course.

The continuous evaluation of the subjects and the compulsory minimum attendance of 80% of the classes require a high level of involvement of the students. In the event that a participant cannot attend any of the sessions, they must contact the operational coordinator to justify their absence.

Tools

Project-oriented learning and the combination of lectures and active methodologies such as case studies, flipped learning, solving real problems and professional simulations allow the student to connect theory and practice, acquire advanced skills and achieve learning which is transferable to work.

You will have:

  • Master's Final Project (TFM) or  Postgrad Final Project (TFP)
  • A personal mentor to monitor your final project (TFM or TFP)
  • Digital resources to achieve transversal skills
  • Interdisciplinary activities and workshops

Professional Future

The teaching during the master, which was pioneering in its characteristics when it was born 27 years ago, has always been aimed at professional training in all areas of scientific communication: journalism, corporate communication, and museology.
Each course adapts and updates the program according to the evolution experienced by these sectors, in parallel to that of the sciences themselves. The best data is precisely the job opportunities that the participants have had during all these years, adapting in parallel to the evolution of the sector.

Student profile

Every year the program brings together a group of participants of which approximately 70% are scientists (in all its facets). The remaining 30% come mainly from the world of social sciences (journalists, communicators, marketers, sociologists, linguists, and philosophers).

As to the origin of the participants, the majority are from Spain, Latin America and Europe. 

29

Average age

23%

International students

23%

Previous studies in Biology

15%

Previous studies in Journalism

Career opportunities

The internships of the program are not compulsory, but extracurricular. The period for their implementation is between the program start date and September 15 of the following year.

At the end of the program you will be able to enjoy the opportunity of belonging to its network of former students, among which are professionals with positions in recognized companies and institutions in the sector such as Colciencias, Redes, Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics, Diario Médico, Novartis, Biblioteca del National Congress of Chile or the National Geographic, PRBB-UPF, etc.


  • Director of communication

Directs and manages communication departments in research centres, hospitals, laboratories, science museums, universities, and technological or environmental companies.

  • Journalist specialized in science, medicine, or the environment

Researches and/or creates content in written, audiovisual, and digital media. Both in generalist communication media, as in magazines, audiovisual programmes, or digital media specialized in science, medicine, or the environment.

  • Scientific dissemination event manager

Plans and coordinates scientific outreach events for museums, universities, and technology or environmental companies. This is the contact person for the media. Creates and writes informative and promotional material, dossiers, and press releases.

  • Curator / Curator of Scientific Exhibitions

Organizes and manages scientific museum exhibitions. Prepares the scientific discourse for the exhibition. Coordinates, writes and compiles catalogues and information brochures, texts that accompany the exhibits, dossiers and press releases, promotional materials, and grant applications.

  • Head of communication for research projects

Creates, directs, and executes the communication plan for research projects in laboratories, hospitals, research centres, science museums, universities, and technology or environmental companies.

  • Community Manager

Generates digital content and manages the Social Networks and blogs of universities, science museums, technology or environmental companies, research centres, hospitals, or laboratories. 

  • Scientific, medical, or environmental writer

Writes articles, corporate and project dossiers, blog posts, etc. in research centres, hospitals, museums, universities, and technology or environmental companies.

  • Scientific, medical, or environmental publicist

Manages and communicates scientific, medical or environmental knowledge for research centres, hospitals, museums, universities, and technological or environmental companies. You will be the interlocutor for the media, audiences, the public, educational centres, and social groups.

  • Scientific radio or podcast programme coordinator

Coordinates radio programmes and interviews experts from the fields of science, medicine, or the environment. Produces popular scientific podcasts.

Admission and enrolment

Our admission process consists of a rigorous evaluation of each application to preserve the quality of the group as well as the training, experience, and work capacity of all students.

Who can apply?

A university degree is needed to apply for the Master.

Those participants who do not have Spanish as one of their mother tongues or who did not have it as a teaching language in their training studies, must prove that they have at least a B2 level of Spanish (Common European Framework of Reference), as well as fluently take part in a personal interview with the academic director, if necessary.

How to apply?

To apply for admission to this program, students must read and accept the Terms and Conditions of Contract once they start the application for admission through the following form.

Application for admission

Complete your application within the next admission rounds:

RoundApplication deadlineAdmission resolution
1418/07/202327/07/2023
1501/09/202314/09/2023
1614/09/202328/09/2023

Applications for admission will be evaluated when you complete the following steps:

  • Complete the online admission form.
  • Pay the €120 admission fee. This amount will be returned if you are not admitted.
  • Send the following documents through the online platform e-registrar:
    • Presentation letter or video
    • CV
    • Scanned copy of university degree (if you are in the last year of your degree, you can provide your academic records)
    • Scanned copy of Transcript of Records. Make sure that it includes your GPA (Grade Point Average)
    • Scanned copy of ID Card or Passport
    • Passport-size photo (jpg format)

Additional documents may be requested in certain cases.
Application rounds are subject to the number of places available on the program.

Admission

  • The Admissions Committee will select the candidates on the basis of a personal or CV-based interview.
  • You will be notified of the admission decision in writing.

Enrolment

  • Registration must be paid within a 15 days after the admission.
  • Once the letter of acceptance to the program has been received, you will need to submit the following original documents before the course begins:
    • Stamped and/or authenticated photocopy of your university degree.
  • If you have a foreign degree you may need to submit additional documents.
  • Paying the reservation fee (25% of the program's tuition fees) is essential in order to reserve your place
  • If you pay the tuition fees by bank transfer you will be required to introduce the program code. The program code for this course is 1008.
  • The remaining tuition fees must be paid 2 weeks before the start of the course.

Grants, scholarships and financing

Scholarships

The UPF Barcelona School of Management offers you different means of financing so that you can take any of our programs without worry. We offer you the opportunity to finance part of your program, either by rewarding your talent through scholarships, through grants from entities dedicated to promoting education or through collaboration agreements with financial entities.

Grants and discounts

Funding

Financing simulator

You can choose how to finance your studies by consulting our simulator and receive an answer in less than 24 hours.

Go to the simulator

Collaborating entities

We collaborate with various entities which provide study loans on favorable terms. For more information you can contact any of the following links. 

Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication

APPLY FOR ADMISSIONREQUEST INFORMATION