Academic Year 2018-2019

SCICOMM is a first level master’s course in Communication of Science and Innovation organized by the Department of Sociology and Social Research. The purpose of the master’s is to provide students with professional skills in the area of research and innovation communication, and to develop professionals who will be able to devise communication, dialogue and public engagement strategies at research institutes, in innovation-oriented companies, in the science sector in general (science centres, science festivals, etc.), in administrative departments that deal with research and innovation.

The master’s course is taught in English.

Course Objectives

The master’s degree aims to develop key professionals who will devise communication, dialogue and public engagement strategies at research institutes, in innovation-oriented companies, in the science sector in general (science centres, science festivals, etc.), in administrative departments that deal with research and innovation.

The master’s goal is provide students with the ability to:

  • understand the social and cultural contexts of science and innovation, their transformations and their implications for communication;
  • read and examine the communication dynamics that are typical of current research and innovation, and translate them into effective and sustainable operational strategies;
  • gain an in-depth knowledge of the potential and limits of today’s means of communication in the sector of research and innovation communication, including through practical and workshop activities;
  • increase and constructively assess the quality of communication strategies, in terms of both organizational objectives and their adherence to the expectations of the public;
  • combine the most recent research advancements in science and society, and in science and innovation communication, with the development of operational strategies.

The final examination consists in a project that students must write, under the supervision of a professor or expert in the field, and discuss before a panel appointed by the Master’s scientific committee.

Students who have attended the programme regularly and have passed the periodic assessments and the final examination will be awarded a First level Master’s Degree in Communication of Science and Innovation – SCICOMM in June 2019.

Attendance

The course will start in September 2018 and continue until June 2019.

It consists of 156 hours of in-class work, which includes lectures.

Students will also take a 250-hour internship.

Students must attend at least 70% of the course work.

Eligibility and Admission Requirements

To participate in the selection procedure applicants must hold one of the following qualifications:

  • a degree awarded under regulations in force before Ministerial Decree no. 509/99;
  • a degree awarded under Ministerial Decree no. 270/04 or Ministerial Decree 509/99;
  • a foreign degree (equivalent to the above).

The selection procedure is open also to students who will obtain their qualification before the course start date. If they pass the admission test they will be put on the list of enrolled students “waiting for confirmation”, until the award of the degree.

Master’s students cannot enrol in other university courses at the same time.

Selection criteria

Participants must submit their application exclusively through the online application form by 25 May 2018, 12.00 (noon).

The master’s scientific committee will select candidates based on their CV and their motivation letter. The committee shall award points as follows:

  • Curriculum vitae: max. 80 points
  • Motivation letter: max. 20 points

The first 10 students on the list of eligible candidates are admitted to the Master’s course and will be invited to confirm their registration by paying the relevant fee. A minimum of 5 participants is required for the course to start.

Fees and scholarships

Tuition fees amount to 2,750.00 EUR to be paid in two instalments: the first one at the time of registration, the second before 28 February 2019.

A scholarship of 1.375,00 EUR is offered by FBK-IRVAPP to the applicant ranked first in the selection.

If all the 10 places are filled, a second scholarship to the applicant ranked second in the selection will also be awarded a 1.375,00 EUR scholarship.

Deadline overview

  • Deadline for online application: 25 May 2018, 12.00
  • Publication of admitted candidates: by 31 May 2018
  • Registration and payment of tuition fees: by 29 June 2018
  • Registration and payment of the second instalment of tuition fees: 28 February 2019
  • Lessons start: 25 September 2018