Master in Scientific, Medical and Environmental Communication

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.