neu790 - Communicating Neuroscience (Complete module description)

90 h

(28 h contact / 62 h individual reading and preparing discussion questions)

+ Neurosci. knowlg.
++ Scient. Literature
++ Social skills
+ Interdiscipl. knowlg.
++ Data present./disc.
+ Scientific English
++ Ethics

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have thought about and discussed in depth scientific, social and ethical aspects of communication in and about neuroscience. In particular, participants practice critical reading of neuroscience literature, learn about the scientific publication process and discuss science communication to the general public.

The overall goal of critical discussion of neuroscientific results in a scientific, social and ethical context requires preparation and active participation both before (Stud.IP wiki) and during the weekly sessions. Each participant is responsible for the preparation and moderation of at least one session in a group of 2-3 students. For passing the module, additional active participation is required in at least 10 of the seminar sessions.  The specific papers and topics that are discussed vary, but typically cover:

• How to find literature?
• How to read different types of scientific papers: Classic papers, review papers, perspective papers, recent original papers?
• Publication process, Authorship and impact metrics
• Alternative publication paths and data sharing in neuroscience
• Science communication for the general public and on social media
• Face-to-face scientific communication

List of published papers, as well as online resources for preparation will be selected by the teachers and participants and announced via Stud.IP.  

Background neuroscience textbooks, e.g.:

Galizia, Lledo ‘Neuroscience – From Molecule to Behavior’, 2013, Springer

Nicholls et al. ‘From Neuron to Brain’, 5th edition 2012, Sinauer

Kandel et al. 'Principles of Neural Science', 5th Edition 2013, McGraw-Hill Comp.

Related content: Science communication workshop:

https://elearning.uni-oldenburg.de/dispatch.php/course/overview?cid=6fc0dbbfa53d7b3f5e3680f52ac7d0f7