Science Education and Communication

master’s degree

Science education and communication

The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences provides specialized Master’s

programmes in the disciplines of Psychology, Educational Science

and Technology, Philosophy of Science, Technology and Society,

Communication Studies and Teaching. Representing the “human

touch” in the University of Twente’s “high tech-human touch”

philosophy, we offer Master’s degrees that represent solid scientific

and professional training in each of these disciplines.

Karen van Oudenhoven, dean of the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences

We are unique because we emphasize the principles of human behaviour in society. How can we design social and technical interventions that promote the quality of life of patients and the elderly? How can we design educational tools to improve learning processes throughout people’s lives?

Students also learn how to evaluate the impact of social and technological interventions on human behaviour. How does the internet change the development of friendships and professional communication? What is the impact on a citizen’s experience of safety when cameras are introduced in public spaces (airports, shopping centres)? What are the ethical considerations of introducing new technologies such as robots in hospitals? Students learn to apply scientific principles in a practical and multidisciplinary context.

Teaching takes place in an open atmosphere built on close collaboration between staff and students. We believe that excellence grows in a context where we place high demands on students, who in their turn place high demands on a stimulating learning environment. We also believe in individual initiative and in education that is tailored to the student’s needs. There are plenty of opportunities for students to create an educational programme that reflects their own interests and learning objectives. Our aim is to develop the individual talent that the world needs to build a sustainable and creative future. We invite students who share this ambition to come and study with us!

Welcome to the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences!

programmeHave you completed a technical Bachelor’s degree? Would you like to share your knowledge with young

people or adults? Then the Master’s in Science Education and Communication is the programme for you!

The Master’s in Science Education and Communication will help you discover how to combine science and technology with education and communication. You’ll learn how to make scientific and technical knowledge accessible to a variety of audiences, for example through simulations or using digital whiteboards. The programme has two specializations: science communication or education.

The Science Education specialization is tailored to your situation and requirements, and geared towards your knowledge, skills and interests. This forms the

framework for acquiring the teaching skills you need. You will also complete an internship at a school, where you will put your new skills into practice. You will obtain a teaching qualification in mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer science and/or design/NLT.

In the Science Communication specialization, you will discover more than just how to inform target audiences about science and technology. At the University of Twente, you will focus on the role of dialogue, experts, the public domain and interaction. You will keep up-to-date with the latest developments in your field, and at the same time you will hone your skills in science communication.

SpeCIaLIZaTIoNS

SCIeNCe eduCaTIoNImportant: you must be fluent in Dutch to enrol in this specialization

This specialization is only offered in Dutch. Only students who understand, speak and write Dutch fluently are eligible for the teacher training programme. Detailed information on this specialization is therefore only available in Dutch.In the Master’s specialization in Science Education (SE)

you will primarily develop your didactic skills for teaching secondary school (including pre-university) pupils. You will also closely follow the developments in your field, devoting one of your two years of study to subjects in this field. You will take didactic courses in the other year. You can also combine these years.

Discover how to combine science and technology with education and communication

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admISSIoN requIremeNTSDutch hBO stuDentsGraduates with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study of a Dutch HBO may be considered for admission. In cases students will first need to complete a bridging course.

university Of twente stuDentsStudents holding a BSc degree in Advanced Technology or Chemical Engineering from the University of Twente qualify for direct admission, conditions may apply. Students with other relevant Bachelor’s will be considered for admission.

Dutch university stuDentsStudents with relevant Bachelor’s degrees from a Dutch university will be considered for admission.

internatiOnal stuDentsInternational students with a degree in technology and a CGPA of at least 70% of the maximum score are invited to apply for admission. In addition international students need to pass an English language test.

More detailed admission requirements are available at www.utwente.nl/master/sec

SCIeNCe CommuNICaTIoN

What is the best way to ensure that the knowledge of scientific experts is presented in a way that resonates with people’s own experiences of the world they live in? The views on this issue are constantly changing. In the Science Communication (SC) specialization you will discuss, shape and even initiate these views. You will examine how you can bring various parties such as scientists, journalists and members of the public together so that they can engage one another in debate. In this specialization, you will primarily learn how to communicate accurately and effectively on various aspects of your field. You will adopt a critical stance in relation to the modes of communication available between science and society. You will take an in-depth look at mass communication, communication strategy and policy, and research in the field of science communication.

You will also closely follow the developments in your own field. During your studies, you will devote one of your two years to communication subjects and the other to your own field. You can also combine these years.

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Career opporTuNITIeSSCIeNCe eduCaTIoN

full teaching qualificatiOnAfter completing your Master’s in Science Education, you will be qualified to teach at all levels of secondary education. You’ll teach pupils about your own field and you will also be a role model for pupils who are thinking about going into science education.

research scientist anD methOD DesignerAfter completing your programme, you will be a teacher with a solid scientific background and highly trained analytical skills. This will allow you to look beyond teaching. For example you might work with colleagues, universities and colleges on educational renewal. Or you might research and evaluate teaching and learning processes.

eDucatiOnal prOfessiOnalA career outside the classroom is also open to you. You might find a job in government or business as an educational professional with an educational agency, publishing house, government ministry or municipality.

Other OppOrtunitiesYour opportunities don’t stop there. You might take up a management position in a school or conduct research in addition to your work as a teacher. Outside the secondary school setting, you might also find employment in vocational education, at a university of applied sciences or in adult education.

SCIeNCe CommuNICaTIoN

science cOmmunicatiOn prOfessiOnalHaving learned to present scientific and technical problems to your target audience and how to effortlessly stimulate debate in fields such as IT, the environment, biotechnology and nutrition, you are ideally suited to become a science communication consultant or communication officer at a hospital, a university or even the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences (KNAW). You will be responsible for informing the press and stakeholders about scientific developments within the organization. You will also design resources for getting the message across.

external cOnsultantYou might opt for a career as an external consultant. Industry, the government and the media need consultants who are conversant with issues in science

and technology. You will help them to communicate effectively with their target audiences.

science jOurnalistIf you enjoy writing, then science journalism might be the career for you. You will write about science and technology, tailoring your writing to appeal to specific target audiences.

cOmmunicatiOn researcherYou might also engage in research into the communication processes inherent to science and technology, allowing you to provide communication experts with valuable communication tools. Or you might study various aspects of communication in science, technology and society.

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‘Problems often arise when communicating risks, because the information supplied by scientists doesn’t address the issues laypersons experience’

NAME Ivodevrijer

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN The NeTherLaNdS

Ivo de Vrijer did a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. He recently finished his Master’s in Science

Communication. He is now trying to decide what kind of job he would like, for example at the National

Institute of Public Health or at a communications agency.

“I chose the Master’s in Science Communication because it seemed like an excellent complement to my Bachelor’s degree. I was interested in Electrical Engineering, but I saw myself as more than a technical person, and the Master’s in Science Communication gave me the opportunity to develop my ‘social’ side. The programme trains students to bridge the gap between science and society. You learn to understand where scientific experts and the lay public are coming from. Both groups have a very different perspective on science and risk.

The Science Communication and Advanced Science Communication courses taught me a lot about the differences between scientists and laypersons. For instance when it comes to the risks that accompany certain technologies, laypeople and scientists take very different approaches to assessing risk. Problems often arise when communicating risks, because the information supplied by scientists doesn’t address the issues laypersons experience.”

STudeNT’S TouCh

cOntactFor general information about the master’s programme or the university of twente, as well as for questions about the application form of your enrolment status, please contact:

university of twenteStudy information deskPhone: +31 (0)53 489 [email protected]/master

Althoughthisleafletwascompiledwiththeutmostcare,norightscanbederivedfromitscontents.5Science education and communication