Science in Context 178
Who is the target audience?
First-year BSc students.
Why is this module important?
Scientists need to communicate well with others to be effective, since –
- science operates across boundaries;
- scientists need to learn skills outside of their discipline; and
- scientists often need to collaborate with peers from other disciplines to solve problems.
The goal of this module is to make BSc undergraduates aware of the fact that the challenges that 21st-century scientists face require them to have knowledge beyond their own fields of specialisation. It is important that the new generation of scientists be innovative and critical thinkers, who have mastered the skills of collaboration and teamwork early on in their undergraduate journey. This module aims to play a part in the acquisition of those skills.
What do students learn in this module?
The specific content that is built into the curriculum includes the development of –
- scientific communication skills;
- SU graduate attributes; and
- computer literacy.
Since the content for this course comes from different disciplines, it is offered to students by different experts. Therefore a large team of diverse academics work together to create one logical and integrated experience for students.
The curriculum is structured around a multi-disciplinary research study that students are to conduct. They have to approach the study as a group project.
To find this module in the University Calendar, click the link to visit the page where the SU Calendar is hosted. Select the applicable Faculty Calendar part, and once that document has opened in a new tab, use your browser’s search function (usually activated by pressing ‘ctrl’ and ‘f’) to search for the module name.
How is the module presented?
This module is offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Science as a year module, and is presented in Afrikaans and in English. Students follow this compulsory module as part of their BSc studies in their first year.
Would you like more information?
Please contact Fiona Stanford or call 021 808 2798.
