Uncertainty is everywhere. However, in the sciences, the ramifications of poor risk assessment in science can have dramatic and global consequences. Risk is very hard to calculate, and even harder to communicate. What is risky, to whom, and why? How is risk understood by experts? How is it translated into the public domain? When does a risk become acceptable? Is it possible to speak about "real" or "true" risks in science? How do the concepts of risk and ethics relate?

In recent years, issues such as global warming, environmental degradation and gene technologies have highlighted a critical need for society to question the risks and ethics of science and the way related matters are presented within societies. In this course, the practice and application of science is analysed from risk-communication and ethical perspectives. Consideration is given to how the history of scientific research might inform contemporary debates about risk. The concept of ethical research is analysed and challenged and the communication of risk and uncertainty among Western and non-Western publics is examined in detail. This course focuses on the creation of clearer and more effective ways to communicate more controversial, risky, and potential unethical scientific matters to larger audiences. It also considers the way in which prevailing social values influence the types of research that might be considered low risk and ethical.

Entry to this option will be subject to the approval of the course convenor. This option requires students to prepare for and participate in four 2-hour additional seminars during the semester. These seminars consider current issues in risk and ethics communication practice and research in some depth, focusing on the greater context of such research, practice and policy. There will be some additional reading required for these seminars. The bulk of the HPO assessment is the same as for standard entry SCOM3001. The only assessment difference will be that HPO students will not submit the essay component. Instead, they will prepare and run a one hour 'seminar' during the standard SCOM3001 prac times and worth 25% of their overall grade. Seminars will be graded by two members of staff. Topics for these seminars will be decided according to student interests in consultation with the course convenor.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Studio attendance (10%; LO 1, 2, 5)
• Contributions to online discussions (15%; LO 2, 3)
• Writing questions for guest lecturers (5%; LO 3, 5)
• Ethics essay discussing role of ethics in scientific research (25%; LO 2, 3)
• Individual report, feeding into team project (10%; LO 1, 3, 4, 6)
• Group presentation of findings and outline of team project (10%; LO1, 4, 5)
• Project final report, describing team project designing risk communications strategy (25%; LO 1, 3, 4, 6)

SCOM1001 plus at least 24 units of Group B courses