The first cohort enrolled in Laurentian University's Master’s program in Science Communication began courses this month.
It's Canada's first and only comprehensive Master’s program in Science Communication.
The 12-month-long program delivers a multi-disciplinary experience that covers the theory underlying good communication, as well as the practical challenges of effectively communicating science and the issues involving science in society.
Students currently enrolled in the nine-month Graduate Diploma in Science Communication program have been able to transition to the Master’s by completing an additional three months of study.
“This Master’s program is a natural extension of the graduate diploma that we have been offering in partnership with Science North since 2005,” said Chantal Barriault, the program's director.
“The Master’s in Science Communication will address the growing demand we have seen for our graduates. Science is woven into decisions at every level of our lives. People should be able to make informed choices without needing a science degree to do that. That’s where our students come in.”
Barriault said trends in science research, industry, and public policy have prompted a need for trained people in this rapidly growing field.
Laurentian’s graduates are specialists in communicating the work of leading researchers and scientists to diverse audiences, from young children to politicians.
They are employed in a range of fields, including government and non-governmental organizations, industry, science centres, zoos, aquariums, popular science publications, and leading research institutions.
“Science North’s core mission is to involve people in the relationship between science and everyday life by communicating science to people in a way they can understand and enjoy,” said Science North CEO Guy Labine.
“When we launched the Science Communication Graduate Diploma Program 12 years ago, in partnership with Laurentian University, we saw it as a natural extension of what we do every day at our science centres."
