
Frequently asked questions
Is this course for you?
This course is ideal for:
- professionals who work in communications-related roles,
- journalists,
- PhDs aiming for careers in industry or the private sector,
- researchers forging an academic career in need of learning how to communicate and present research to convince funding bodies, inform policymakers, or simply engage the public;
- graduate students highly motivated in pursuing a career in science communication.
What educational background do you need to attend the courses?
We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds, identities, communities and industries and are committed to having a class that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities.
Are online lessons live or recorded?
Both. At the beginning of each module, you’ll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion.
Synchronous lessons are scheduled twice a week to keep global students in sync regardless of time zones. The seminar-style class also gives you the chance to engage with a network of peers and expert faculty on topical areas that are key to your professional development.
Pre-recorded lessons are organized into weekly modules and cover different topics through videos, presentations, readings and exercises.
You can log in to the course and complete activities throughout the week at your own pace, at the times and on the days that are most convenient for you.
When will the lessons be held?
The lessons will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from September through March.
The timing of the lessons will vary to accommodate the time zones of international students. The exact timing for each lesson will be communicated in advance to ensure that it suits the majority of participants.
Can you attend while working?
SciComm Master is designed to help you, as a working professional, pace yourself over the duration of the course, and allow you to attend the lessons and improve your skills without compromising on work responsibilities.
What happens if you cannot attend one or more synchronous lessons?
All class sessions are recorded as a backup in case you cannot attend due to work commitments or issues with time zones or internet connectivity.
If you miss a few lessons you will be asked to submit an assignment to demonstrate you have achieved the learning goals.
What are the requirements to pass each course?
To pass each course, students must fulfill a minimum attendance of 70%.
Additionally, they must complete and pass the required assessments. Assessments may include written or oral tests, as determined by the course instructor.
What happens if students do not meet the minimum attendance or credit requirements?
Students who fail to meet the minimum attendance requirement (70% of the remote teaching hours) and/or do not pass the required verification tests will not be eligible for the 1st level University Master’s Degree.
Nevertheless, they will receive a certificate indicating their actual attendance, the list of activities they participated in, and the results of any tests they passed.
How do you help students overcoming isolation and procrastination during online classes?
The master offers an innovative online learning experience structured to help you focus and maintain the self-discipline needed to study remotely.
We will start a chat on Telegram to connect with you before the course begins, or shortly after, to clear up any questions you have about the syllabus or requirements, and to enable students to connect among them.
We feel that establishing a relationship with you early on will help you build trust and understanding throughout the term, especially since you may not be able to meet in person.
During the term, from time to time we will schedule online meetings as well, to stay in touch with you and/or to coordinate more formal study group opportunities where you can participate in sessions organized by us, with a facilitator leading the discussion.
Also, the master’s coordinator will support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have, providing you with maximum personal benefit and minimal time spent.
Lessons fact sheet
Lessons | September – March |
Place | Online only |
Hour of synchronous lessons per week | 6 to 8 |
Days of synchronous lessons per week | Tuesdays and Thursdays |
Internship | February – May |