Courses
CPAS offers world class undergraduate and postgraduate education in science communication.
Our teaching approach »
We have had time to reflect, to hear from you, to plan and to innovate. With this, we wanted to lay out our approach to teaching after COVID-19, driven by our focus on you as students.
Read moreAbout our courses
Our courses span the gamut of science communication knowledge, skills and theory. We cover key communication media, including news media, the web and social media, live presentations, fiction film and television, science centre exhibits, and more. We also explore diverse communication contexts, including situations of risk and controversy, cross-cultural exchange, policy environments, corporate and organisational communication, communicating with children, and more.
Our assessment tasks are innovative, research-led and practically-oriented, to equip you with the professional communication expertise you need in the workplace. Our students have the opportunity to produce real world science communication materials and events in many of our courses, giving you the edge in the science and communications job markets.
If you want to work as a professional communicator in a science-related field, or want to enhance your communication skills for working in the sciences, medicine or engineering, enrol in a SCOM course today!
Undergraduate
During semester
Running weekly through the ANU semesters.
Semester 1
- SCOM1001 Science Communication 1: Introduction to Science Communication
- SCOM2031 Misinformation, Disinformation, and Risk
- SCOM3003 Science Communication Research Project
- SCOM3027 Science Politics
Semester 2
- SCOM1002 Science Communication 2: Evidence and Social Change
- SCOM2015 Public Speaking About Science
- SCOM3003 Science Communication Research Project
- SCOM3032 Making Modern Science
- SCOM3033 Health Promotion Principles and Practice
Intensive
An intensive week of classes (dates in brackets), some with pre-reading, then assessed online over the following months. Check the individual course detail for delivery options.
Summer
- SCOM2003 Science in Film and Fiction (13-17 January 2025)
Autumn
- SCOM2016 Science, Journalism and Society (31 March - 4 April 2025)
Winter
- SCOM2006 Science, Humour and Popular Culture (7-11 July 2025, online only)
- SCOM3007 From Creativity to Impact: Science Communication Project Design (23-27 June 2025)
- SCOM3012 Communicating Science Online (30 June - 4 July 2025)
- SCOM3029 Science Communication and Planetary Crises (8-12 September 2025)
- SCOM3501 Science Communication Strategy and Leadership (1-5 September 2025)
You choose
Semester 1 or 2, Summer, Autumn, Winter or Spring. Make your SCOM Major or Minor your own, by choosing your internship place and research topic.
Honours
The Science Communication Honours specialisation requires the completion of 48 units, which must consist of:
36 units from completion of:
12 units from completion of:
Postgraduate
During semester
Running weekly through the ANU semesters. Choose the delivery mode that suits you best – in-person or online. Check the individual course detail for delivery options.
Semester 1
- SCOM6027 Science Politics
- SCOM6031 Misinformation, Disinformation, and Risk
- SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public
- SCOM8019 Research Methods in Science Communication
Semester 2
- SCOM6015 Public Speaking About Science (In-person only)
- SCOM6032 Making Modern Science
- POPH6115 Health Promotion Principles and Practice
Intensives
An intensive week of classes (dates in brackets), some with pre-reading, then assessed online over the following months. Check the individual course detail for delivery options.
Summer
- SCOM6003 Science in Film and Fiction (13-17 January 2025)
Autumn
- SCOM6007 From Creativity to Impact: Science Communication Project Design (23-27 June 2025)
- SCOM6016 Science, Journalism and Society (31 March-4 April 2025)
Winter
- SCOM6006 Science, Humour and Popular Culture (7-11 July 2025, online only)
- SCOM6012 Communicating Science Online (30 June-4 July 2025)
- SCOM6029 Science Communication and Planetary Crises (8-12 September 2025)
- SCOM6501 Science Communication Strategy and Leadership (1-5 September 2025)
You choose
Make your Masters your own, by choosing your internship place and research topic.
Available Semester 1 or 2:
- SCOM8000 Master of Science Communication Research Project
- SCOM8004 Science Communication Fieldwork Placement (for Semester 1 2025, placements at Mt Stromlo, Mulligans Flat Sanctuary and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation available)
Available Semester 1 or 2, Summer, Autumn, Winter or Spring: