SD5807 Visuals for Policies and Publics: Creative Visual Arts for Sciences

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students on the PG Dip, or MSc in Data Literacy for Social and Environmental Justice

Planned timetable

Not Applicable

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr L E S Cole

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr L Cole; Dr T Mendo; Dr E Olamijuwon

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Whilst getting the science ‘right’ is a foundational principle of science communication, the communication side requires effectively engaging your target audience. Attracting attention to a message often involves eye-catching, easily-digestible, and thought-provoking visual imagery. This module will introduce students to the basics of producing and appraising a variety of visual media, with a particular focus on: evaluating content, understanding copyright law, ensuring appropriate referencing; designing and generating charts and graphs (colour for accessibility, etc); designing and creating infographics; digital media skills (e.g., basics of editing videos, podcasts); and curating science (e.g., art installation/museum exhibition). The emphasis throughout the module will be on generating accessible visuals for target audiences, in line with designing for impact. This module is distinct from SD5513 (Advanced Data Visualisation) in that it is focused on introducing students to a variety of skills in creative visual arts for sciences (e.g., creating infographics) vs. visually depicting their own analyses of quantitative data.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

IN ORDER TO TAKE THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE OR HAVE TAKEN SD5502 OR HAVE PERMISSION FROM THE PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

Assessment pattern

100% coursework

Re-assessment

100% coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

This module includes 5 1-hour synchronous tutorial sessions and at least 5 hours of pre-recorded content (e.g., lectures). Students should consider the amount of independent study time this module involves when planning their learning.

Scheduled learning hours

0

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

145

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Create a range of figures (e.g., graphs, charts) in several open-access software platforms to communicate research findings;
  • Develop infographics for a target audience, which communicate an evidence-based story;
  • Design digital media pieces (e.g., podcast, webcast, animation) attentive to issues of justice, equity, diversity and/or inclusion (JEDI) and appropriate for communicating scientific research findings to an identified target audience;
  • Engage with the process of curating science for a public education initiative (e.g., museum exhibition, science-themed art installation, secondary school-level engagement project);
  • Apply principles of legal compliance, with a focus on copyright law and appropriate referencing, to visual pieces.

SD5807 Visuals for Policies and Publics: Creative Visual Arts for Sciences

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students on the PG Dip, or MSc in Data Literacy for Social and Environmental Justice

Planned timetable

Not Applicable

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr L E S Cole

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr L Cole; Dr T Mendo; Dr E Olamijuwon

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Whilst getting the science ‘right’ is a foundational principle of science communication, the communication side requires effectively engaging your target audience. Attracting attention to a message often involves eye-catching, easily-digestible, and thought-provoking visual imagery. This module will introduce students to the basics of producing and appraising a variety of visual media, with a particular focus on: evaluating content, understanding copyright law, ensuring appropriate referencing; designing and generating charts and graphs (colour for accessibility, etc); designing and creating infographics; digital media skills (e.g., basics of editing videos, podcasts); and curating science (e.g., art installation/museum exhibition). The emphasis throughout the module will be on generating accessible visuals for target audiences, in line with designing for impact. This module is distinct from SD5513 (Advanced Data Visualisation) in that it is focused on introducing students to a variety of skills in creative visual arts for sciences (e.g., creating infographics) vs. visually depicting their own analyses of quantitative data.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

IN ORDER TO TAKE THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE OR HAVE TAKEN SD5502 OR HAVE PERMISSION FROM THE PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

Assessment pattern

100% coursework

Re-assessment

100% coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

This module includes 5 1-hour synchronous tutorial sessions and at least 5 hours of pre-recorded content (e.g., lectures). Students should consider the amount of independent study time this module involves when planning their learning.

Scheduled learning hours

0

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

145

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Create a range of figures (e.g., graphs, charts) in several open-access software platforms to communicate research findings;
  • Develop infographics for a target audience, which communicate an evidence-based story;
  • Design digital media pieces (e.g., podcast, webcast, animation) attentive to issues of justice, equity, diversity and/or inclusion (JEDI) and appropriate for communicating scientific research findings to an identified target audience;
  • Engage with the process of curating science for a public education initiative (e.g., museum exhibition, science-themed art installation, secondary school-level engagement project);
  • Apply principles of legal compliance, with a focus on copyright law and appropriate referencing, to visual pieces.