Overview

Those interested in the General option are advised to first consult the programme content of the two specialisations. The General option is closest to the specialisation in Research Management and Evaluation. The difference is that the module on ‘Research management’ (part of the specialisation in Research Management and Evaluation) is replaced with the module on ‘Science and its publics’ (part of the specialisation in Science and Public Engagement).

Students interested in the General option will be afforded an opportunity to align their research with the focus areas of the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (SciSTIP), hosted at CREST. Click here for details about the focus areas of SciSTIP.

Programme structure

Students must complete eight structured course work modules of 15 credits each. The eight course work modules are:

  • Sociology of science
  • Science policy themes
  • Bibliometrics
  • Advanced scientometrics
  • Research evaluation
  • Research uptake and societal impact
  • Science and its publics
  • Scientific communication

In addition to the course work modules, students must complete a research assignment of 60 credits. Most students choose to focus on the course work modules during the first year of the programme and complete the research assignment in the second year.

The modular structure of the programme makes it possible for participants to structure it as part-time study over a period of two years, without the need to be in Stellenbosch permanently.