Master
2019/2020
Academic Writing
Type:
Elective course (Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation)
Area of studies:
Management
Delivered by:
Department of Educational Programmes
When:
1 year, 4 module
Mode of studies:
distance learning
Instructors:
Dirk Meissner
Master’s programme:
Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
2
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course teaches scientists to become more effective writers, using practical examples and exercises. It includes: principles of good writing, tricks for writing faster and with less anxiety, the format of a scientific manuscript, peer review, grant writing, ethical issues in scientific publication, and writing for general audiences. The course is offered by Stanford University, the full outline is available here: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sciwrite After completing the course students have to prepare a short 2 pages essay summarizing the main learnings form the course. For the essay the formal requirements for Master Thesis and Term Paper apply. No other format is accepted. The essay is graded and counts for 30% of the final grade. Having submitted the essay students are examined in an oral group examination involving up to 5 students and lasting 30 minutes. The oral group examination weights 70% of the final grade. Each student is assessed individually during the oral group examination.
Course Contents
- Course and reviews key principles of effective writingintroduces the course and reviews key principles of effective writing. In particular, you will practice cutting clutter from writing.
- Writing with strong, active verbsFocuses on writing with strong, active verbs. Lessons include how to: write in the active voice; avoid turning verbs into nouns; choose strong verbs; and get to the main verb of a sentence quickly.
- Vary sentence structure and write strong paragraphsReviews how to vary sentence structure and write strong paragraphs. You will practice using the dash, colon, semi-colon, and parentheses, as well as writing well-organized and concise paragraphs.
- Reviews the writing processReviews the writing process. I will give you tips for making the writing process easier, more efficient, and more organized.
- Reviews the sections of a scientific manuscriptReviews the sections of a scientific manuscript. You will learn how to format tables and figures, and how to write results, methods, introduction, and discussion sections.
- Peer review process, as well as ethical issues in scientific publishingDiscusses the peer review process, as well as ethical issues in scientific publishing. You will learn how to avoid plagiarism, determine authorship, submit a paper, write a peer review, and avoid predatory journals.
- Types of writing beyond original research manuscriptsReviews types of writing beyond original research manuscripts. You will learn how to write review papers, grants, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.
- Communication with broader audiencesReviews communication with broader audiences. You will learn how work with the media, be interviewed, conduct an interview, and write about science for general audiences.
Assessment Elements
- Essay
- Final oral group examinationThe Exam is planned as an ORAL GROUP EXAMINATION, online on ZOOM Platform. A Student should log in 20 minutes prior to Exam Session. Temporary internet breakdown is for up to 10 min. If longer - a written request to the course director, cc study office manager for further decision to reschedule the Exam for another date for examination: with different exam questions.
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- James P. LeSage, & Christine Thomas-Agnan. (2015). Interpreting Spatial Econometric Origin-Destination Flow Models. Journal of Regional Science, (2), 188. https://doi.org/10.1111/jors.12114
- Washington, S., Karlaftis, M. G., & Mannering, F. L. (2003). Statistical and Econometric Methods for Transportation Data Analysis. Boca Raton: Chapman and Hall/CRC. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=111069
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Washington, S., Karlaftis, M. G., & Mannering, F. L. (2011). Statistical and Econometric Methods for Transportation Data Analysis (Vol. Second edition). Boca Raton, FL: Chapman and Hall/CRC. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1763415