Designed for community-minded medical science professionals
Build trust in your research and work in partnership with and for the community
A curriculum co-designed with Australian industry experts for real-world application
100% online with support from enrolment through to graduation
The UTS Online Graduate Certificate Public Engagement in Medical Science is designed for individuals who are passionate about improving health and wellbeing outcomes for all. You might be looking to:
- Contribute to the improvement of healthcare and policies.
- Make a bigger impact on the community.
- Build effective and authentic community engagement skills.
- Improve your interpersonal and communication skills and have the confidence to advance policy initiatives and advocate for solutions to healthcare problems.
- Study 100% online and flexibly around your work and life commitments.
Learning outcomes
Community engagement
Understand and leverage connections between public engagement and public perceptions to build and maintain trust in science.
Science theory, practice and policy
Gain a critical understanding of the theory and practice behind the development of influential evidence-based science policies.
Effective communication
Build upon communication abilities and become confident to deliver scientific concepts to lay audiences through engaging storytelling.
Cultural awareness and sensitivity
Develop professional cultural competency to work effectively with and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
To learn more about how these learning outcomes can help you advance your career, get in touch with our Student Enrolment Advisors.
The Graduate Certificate in Public Engagement in Medical Science comprises 4 online subjects (24 credit points [CP] in total).
CORE SUBJECTS
Complete the following 4 subjects (24CP):
Public policy in the form of laws, regulations, and guidelines has a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals. As with any decision-making process in the public sphere, the formulation of public policies is complex and depends on a variety of scientific, economic, social, and political forces.
This subject develops students’ critical understanding of the theories and practices behind developing some of the most influential evidence-based science policies, from climate change mitigation to population-level vaccination initiatives.
This subject also provides an overview of the regulatory frameworks and governing bodies which influence the field of science and are relied on in Australian and global contexts.
Science communication is an umbrella term for the practice of informing and inspiring the public about scientific knowledge. In order to increase public understanding and appreciation of science, professionals must be able to explain scientific concepts succinctly to non-expert audiences.
The subject explores the important elements of science communications and empowers students to produce effective science communication through a range of media.
Students practice the techniques experts use to tell engaging science stories in order to bring complex ideas to life for a wide range of audiences. These highly transferrable skills prepare students for a diverse range of outward-facing leadership and advocacy roles where the effective communication of complex ideas is highly valued.
Public engagement is becoming a vital component in global health research and enables scientists to gain crucial insights and input from patients and the public. But what does best practice public engagement look like?
Students learn key professional approaches to ensure that information and outcomes from medical research are effectively communicated to patients and the public, so that these audiences can be informed of progress in the field and better understand the nature of science.
Topics include how the COVID-19 pandemic was dealt with in the public sphere and engagement improvements in retrospect, recognising patient autonomy via the provision of adequate consent, ensuring equity, and respecting and protecting participant privacy.
Social science concepts and perspectives are essential for understanding health issues and the responses to them as individuals and as a society. This subject examines different theoretical perspectives to explore the human experience of illness and the social structuring of health and disease. The impact of wider social processes upon the health of individuals and social groups is also examined, including processes that produce social inequalities, professional relationships, knowledge and power, and consumption and risk. Students investigate contemporary issues to explore how the social determinants of health can inform the complex challenges of technological, economic and social change in communities and societies.
*Note: Most subjects at UTS are worth 6 CP but this can vary across courses.
On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Medical Science Innovation, students will have the opportunity to progress to the Master of Medical Science Leadership
To learn more about career outcomes, download a course guide
Upcoming intakes
UTS Online courses have six intakes per year.
The diagram below shows all upcoming intakes, with the next intake highlighted in blue.
Course information
Entry requirements
- Completion of a UTS-recognised bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a medical, biotechnology, biomedical, pharmacology, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, audiology, nursing, or biomedical engineering field.
- Audiology
- Biochemical and cell biology
- Biological sciences, n.e.c
- Biological sciences
- Biomedical engineering
- Chemical sciences
- Food science and biotechnology
- Forensic science
- General medicine
- Genetics
- Human biology
- Laboratory technology
- Mathematical sciences
- Medical science
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Occupational therapy
- Optical science
- Other health
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Physics
- Physiotherapy
- Public health
- Radiography
- Radiology
- Speech pathology
- Psychology
OR
- A minimum of three (3) years professional work experience*
OR
- Completion of any of the two graduate certificates in this suite (Graduate Certificate in Science Leadership or Graduate Certificate in Medical Science Innovation).
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee an offer of a place.
* Relevant work experience is defined at ANZSCO skill level 1 – bachelor’s degree or higher) and is demonstrated through a CV or a Statement of Service outlining work experience and the dates of employment and position(s) held within the organization, demonstrating extensive work as a manager or professional, and the applicant’s ability to critically appraise their work.
Local applicants with international qualifications must satisfy English language requirements with an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall score of 6.5 and a writing score of 6.5.
For applicants without an Academic IELTS score, refer to the UTS Register of English Language Requirements Proficiency for other methods of satisfying the English Language requirements for the course(s).
For more information, schedule a 15-minute call with a Student Enrolment Advisor.
To assist with all or some of your tuition fees, FEE-HELP is available for eligible students. This government-supported loan scheme is designed to help eligible full-fee paying students pay their tuition fees.
To check your eligibility, feel free to speak with an Enrolment Advisor today.
Studying UTS Online’s Graduate Certificate in Public Engagement in Medical Science may lead to roles such as:
- Community Liaison Officer
- Legislation and Policy Officer
- Medical Sales Representative
- Medical Science Liaison
- Medical Writer
- Policy and Relations Advisor
- Science Communications Officer
- Scientific Advisor
- Scientific Consultant