Ateneo - UPO

Outline of science communication, problems related to popularisation, both in presence and through media. The uncertainty on scientific results (both experimental and theoretical). Probability theory as the logic of the unknown. Uses and abuses of statistics. Modelling phenomena: virtues and shortcomings of models. Examples: models of growth, of epidemic, etc. Science as a public undertaking. Evaluating scientific papers. Consensus building. Open access: the example of arXiv. Some major scientific topics and their popularisation: energy, climate, etc.

Papers provided by the lecturer.

Obiettivo del corso è sviluppare le soft skills necessarie per argomentare e divulgare le idee scientifiche in contesti diversi e attraverso differenti canali di comunicazione. Pertanto, obiettivo formativo è acquisire le conoscenze necessarie in ambito educativo e comunicativo sui temi della comunicazione scientifica

- Knowledge and understanding:
acquiring basic theoretical concepts regarding science communication, problems related to popularisation, both in person and through media. Awareness of the uncertainty attached to scientific results (both experimental and theoretical), of probability theory as the logic of the unknown, of uses and abuses of statistics. Knowledge about mathematical models of phenomena.
- Applying knowledge and understanding: being able to produce popularisation and educational materials on contemporary topics of mathematics and science.
- Communication skills: being able to present to a non specialised audience the basic aspects of the scientific method, of mathematics, of sciences with particular attention to physics.