Course syllabus for Applied Biomedical Communication and Professional Development

Tillämpad kommunikation i biomedicin och professionell utveckling

Specific entry requirements

At least the grade G (pass) for the part "Biomedicine - Professional Skills" in the course Frontiers in Biomedicine within the Master's programme in Biomedicine.

Outcomes

The course is aimed at improving skills in communication that all biomedical researchers require.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

Regarding knowledge and understanding

• Identify the skills required in seeking different professional careers.

Regarding competence and skills

• Apply the appropriate style and format to content suitable for communicating with the public and scientific community both in writing and orally.
• Be able to communicate scientific concepts through digital media and images.
• Apply the structure and language style, appropriate for scientific research articles.
• Critically evaluate scientific figures and text and deliver constructive feedback 

Regarding judgement and approach

• Reason and reflect on a biomedical problem/project from a global health perspective.
• Reflect on how to present experimental data ethically
• Reflect on the various dimensions of intercultural competence and their importance for group work.

Content

The core aim for this course is for the student to recognise, understand and apply the appropriate style and format to content suitable for different purposes and audiences. The course focuses heavily on understanding and improving scientific writing style. It also covers scientific presentation, peer-to-peer feedback and digital media in the biomedical field.

The course is divided into two main parts:

Scientific writing in biomedical research, 4.5 hp

Grading scale: VU

​Having completed this part, the student will have further developed their tools for writing professional English. Critical reading, writing and written feedback skills are developed in the context of writing a text inspired by a scientific research manuscript.

Personal Development and Applied Biomedical Communication, 3.0 hp

Grading scale: VU

In this part, the student learns how communication styles, methods and context change with the audience, culminating in the presentation and/or exhibition of scientific concepts in styles appropriate for the scientific community and the general public. A specific focus is placed on illustration and digital communication. The student will also reflect on personal skills that are required for biomedical researchers in different career paths and communication in the international workplace.

Teaching methods

The learning and teaching activities include written and oral communication exercises with an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning. Structured learning activities include workshops, seminars, expert lectures, hybrid learning activities and an outreach project.

Examination

Scientific writing styles in biomedical research (4.5 credits). The examination consists of written assignments. This will include a written text in the style of a research article and written peer to peer feedback. Graded Fail/Pass/Pass with distinction.

Personal development and applied biomedical communication (3 credits). The examination consists of written assignments and oral presentations. This will include a scientific presentation, personal portfolio and a graphical abstract. Graded Fail/Pass/Pass with distinction.

Written work is to be handed in before the end of the course according to the times specified in the schedule. To pass the whole course, a grade of at least "Pass" must have been obtained for all parts of the course. To obtain a final grade of "Pass with distinction", a grade of "Pass with distinction" must be obtained for both "Scientific writing styles in biomedical research" and "Personal development and applied biomedical communication ".

Compulsory participation
Participation in specific workshops, seminars, group and individual assignments, and lectures linked to these parts are compulsory. The examiner assesses if and, in that case, how absence from compulsory components can be compensated. The student must participate in all compulsory parts or compensate for absence in accordance with the examiner's instructions, in order to pass the course. Absence from a compulsory activity may result in the student not being able to compensate the absence until the next time the course is given.

Limitations of the number of examinations or practical training sessions
A student who does not pass an examination at their first attempt is entitled to participate in five additional examination sessions. If the student does not pass after four examinations, he/she is recommended to retake the course at the next regular course occasion, and may, after that, participate in two more examination sessions. If the student has failed six examinations, no additional examination sessions are provided.

Physically attending or otherwise commencing an examination is regarded as an examination session. Handing in a blank exam is considered taking part in an examination session. An examination, for which the student registered but did not participate, is not counted as an examination session.

Adaption of examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities may not be changed, removed or reduced.

Other directives

The course language is English and examination is performed in English.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Committee for Higher Education.

Oral evaluation in the form of course council meetings will be carried out during the course.