Course Description
Preparation of scientific manuscripts for publication and presentation of papers at scientific conferences. Preparation of individual manuscripts, figures, and tables; writing with clarity, brevity, and word economy; dealing with journal editors and reviewers; reviewing and editing manuscripts; preparing proposals for funding; presentation of oral and poster papers at scientific conferences; and preparation of visual aids.
Athena Title
SCI COMM FOR AND NR
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in FORS 8210-8210L
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To help young scientists develop an advanced understanding of and appreciation for the components of effective written and oral scientific communication with a diverse group of constituents, including peers, supervisors, administrators, politicians, reporters, lawyers, and the lay public. Students are not expected to depart the course with fully developed advanced communication skills, as these skills evolve gradually over the course of a career. Instead, this course will provide students with a practical introduction to this topic as well as hands-on experience with disseminating research results at research conferences (i.e., giving oral presentations) and in peer-reviewed scientific journals (i.e., writing, editing, reviewing, and responding to criticism)
Topical Outline
Organizational Meeting / Course overview Components of technical communication / Accuracy, Brevity, and Clarity Forms and functions of technical communication Technical writing: organizing and preparing the draft manuscript Preparing the Abstract / Introduction Preparing the Methods section / Description of the Study Area Preparing the Results / Discussion section Preparing the Acknowledgments / References or Literature Cited Preparing the Tables / Appendices Preparing the Figures / Computer software for preparation of figures Who should be an Author / Efficient use of your writing time Searching the literature / How to use and cite the literature Use of statistics in scientific reports Common errors in spelling, grammar, style, and abbreviation The ethics of scientific communication Ethics - continued / Informal peer review before submission for publication Selection of an appropriate journal / Communication with an international audience Preparing the manuscript for submission / Submitting the manuscript for publication The publication process: editor’s perspective, role of reviewers / Page proofs You as reviewer...and as an editor Scientific conferences...form and functions of presentations / meeting attendance Electronic Publishing Special Cases: Request for Proposals, budgets, and study plans Special Cases: Reporters, politicians, and you Special Cases: Risk Communication: you and your public Special Cases: Lawyers...and you as an expert witness Special Cases: Job Interviews