Programme Overview:

The programme explores social issues in science and technology and the communications and controversies surrounding them. It aims to ensure that students have a good grasp of the social significance of science and are capable of reflecting critically on the place of science and technology in society.

The programme caters for students with backgrounds in the natural sciences or in the social sciences or humanities. By bringing together students of diverse backgrounds, the programme aims to stimulate interaction between the natural sciences and humanities and social sciences so that each can reflect more fully on the contribution that the other makes to the development of the total cultural fabric.

The programme is not primarily concerned with training in technical communications skills, though it does include some practically oriented modules.

Programme Description:

 

Programme Structure:

Full-time students attend for lectures and coursework two to three days a week, depending on the options taken. Lectures and seminars take place in the late afternoon and evening in order to facilitate students who are working.

The work placement (INTRA) and dissertation are completed in the summer period, May-September. Part-time students attend for one to two days a week and they complete their dissertation in the second year.

View the subjects currently taught on this course (2009 - 2010)

Entry Requirements:

The programme is suitable for recent graduates and for those with professional experience in science or communications.

To be eligible, candidates are required to have a second class or better honours degree.  Consideration is also given to candidates who have lesser qualifications but significant and appropriate professional experience.  Applicants are asked to submit an article on a science-related topic of 750 words, written for a general-interest publication.  Selection is done on the basis of the formal application, the submitted article and the candidate's statement of motivation.  Candidates may be called for interview which mainly serves the purpose of clarifying for the applicants and for the academic staff on the programme that the prospective students have a clear sense of what may lie ahead.

Assessment by Interview
Candidates should note that an interview is part of the selection process for this programme. Shortlisted candidates are expected to be available for interview. Candidates shortlisted for interview will be able to book their interview through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) website (www.pac.ie/dcu). Interview slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. It is not possible to accommodate other interview dates.

International Applications
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.

Dates for Submission of Applications 2010

EU Applicants
Apply online through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) by 31st July 2010.

Non-EU Applicants
Apply online through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) by  15th July 2010 . Applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of gaining entry into Ireland are advised to apply as early as possible.

Applying through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu)
To apply for the full-time programme use the PAC code DC606. To apply for the part-time programme use the PAC code DC607.

Queries on completed applications to be emailed to registry.pac@dcu.ie

Career Prospects:

Graduates of this programme have found employment in science public relations and information services, science journalism, science broadcasting, science teaching, science demonstration and display, science publishing, web editing for science institutions and educational software authoring.

See what past graduates did

Full list of degrees >