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BIOL20060

Academic Year 2025/2026

Scientific Communication (BIOL20060)

Subject:
Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Nicholas Brereton
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Clear, accurate communication is fundamental to scientific practice. The ability to explain biological concepts and present findings in accessible and credible ways is essential for success at UCD and in wider professional contexts.

This module introduces the core communication skills that biologists need to share knowledge effectively with academic and professional audiences. Students will begin to learn how to interpret experimental data, construct evidence-based arguments, and communicate with clarity across written and visual formats. They will be introduced to the principles of scientific writing, referencing, and graphical representation, and will practice building scientific and graphical abstracts.

The module is structured around interactive workshops and small-group tutorials, providing both guided instruction and personalised feedback to support the development of scientific reasoning, data interpretation, and effective communication. Students will leave the module with practical tools and experience essential for future academic success and confident scientific engagement.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On satisfactory completion of this module, students should have improved their ability to:
1. Prepare and communicate appropriate scientific concepts and findings in oral and written forms.
2. Explore and evaluate experimental data and discuss their importance and reliability.
3. Appreciate the complexity of biological systems.

Indicative Module Content:

The module consists of 10 workshops interspersed with 5 small group tutorials. Workshops are focused around:
- Introduction to the Science communication
- Introduction to chart interpretation
- Introduction to scientific writing
- Graphical abstract building
- Scientific abstract building
- Scientific referencing
- Introduction to Excel
- Introduction to data science
- Generative AI
- Career planning

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Tutorial

5
Practical

20
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

53
Total

128

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Workshops consist of a mixture of task based learning, peer and group work, group discussions.
Tutorials consist of small group discussions and peer review of work.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Biological Systems (BIOL20030)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Individual Project: A complete first draft of a scientific poster. Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
30
 No
Individual Project: Short oral presentation of your scientific poster at the end of the course. Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
50
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Engagement and participation within all workshops is required. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
20
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Ongoing individual feedback will be given to students in tutorials written feedback will be provided on their draft posters.

Name Role
Dr Sate Ahmad Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Nicholas Brereton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Paul Brooks Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Edel Caraway Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Jens Carlsson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tancredi Caruso Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Simone Ciuti Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Michela Coan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Grace Cott Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Fiona Doohan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Elke Eichelmann Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Jane Faull Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr John Finarelli Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Michael Hackett Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Graham Hughes Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Darrin Hulsey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Julia Jones Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Joanna Kacprzyk Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Adam Kane Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Olga Lastovetsky Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ruth Leeney Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Guerrino Macori Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Simone Marcone Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Paul McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Rachel McEvoy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Rainer Melzer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Paul Murphy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Carla Naltchayan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Sonia Negrao Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Carl Ng Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Marcin Penk Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Antoinette Perry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dorcas Réamonn Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Susanne Schilling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Karina Septore Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Jeremy Simpson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gavin Stewart Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Paola Valentini Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Katharina Wollenberg Valero Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Jonathan Yearsley Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Elsa Youngsteadt Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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