- Place
- Tue3-4(VBL隰帷ｾｩ螳､)
- Credits
- Lecture1 Exercise1 Experiment0
- Code
- 56025
- Syllabus updated
- 2008/10/1
- Lecture notes updated
- 2008/10/1
- Semester
- Fall Semester
Outline of lecture
This course is designed to assist non-native speakers of English to improve their ability to
(1) write a manuscript for a scientific journal;
(2) give an oral presentation at an international conference;
(3) prepare an effective poster presentation; and
(4) apply ethical principles relative to writing a technical paper.
Purpose of lecture
This course is designed to assist nonnative speakers of English to improve their ability to
(1) write a manuscript for a scientific journal;
(2) give an oral presentation at an international conference;
(3) prepare an effective poster presentation; and
(4) apply ethical principles relative to writing a technical paper.
The students will be asked to give oral presentations about their research projects, solve English language problems in the physical sciences and engineering and write a manuscript for submission to a technical journal based on their graduate research projects.
Plan of lecture
1.Elements and Patterns of Technical Papers
縲1-1.The writing process
縲1-2.Elements of Technical Papers - Title page, Abstracts/Summaries, Body, etc.
縲1-3.Patterns of Technical Writing - Definitions, technical description, explanation of a process, analysis
2.Effective Style
縲2-1.The Scientific Attitude
縲2-2.Precision in the use of Words: - Avoiding vague, unnecessary, overworked words/phrases and technical jargon
縲2-3.Common errors in usage - Special subject-verb relationships; dangling modifiers; lack of parallel structures
縲2-4.Effect of Paragraphs on Style - Guidelines for combining sentences
縲縲- Types of detail: sensory, reflective, etc.
縲縲- Clarity, unity, coherence and variety
3.Organization
縲3-1.Information Theory
縲3-2.Common problems in organizing
縲3-3.preparing an outline as a writing plan - Topic and sentence outlines
4.Writing Summaries - Abstract, paraphrase, precis
5.Responsibility of a Researcher
縲5-1.Handling quotations from sources - Accuracy; taboo on plagiarism
縲5-2.Parenthetical References / Literature Citation
縲5-3.Works cited section: - Books, periodicals, other print and non-print sources.
6.Visual Presentation of Technical Information - Tables/figures
縲- Graphs/charts
縲- Photographs and drawings
7.Drafting the Manuscript for Submission and Mechanics
8.Effective Poster Presentation
9.Oral Presentation of Technical Papers
10.End-of-Term Projects
縲10-1.Oral Presentation of Written Manuscript (Group work)
縲10-2.Poster Presentation of the Manuscript or another Paper (Group work)
Textbook and reference
No text book required. All relevant notes will be distributed during the lectures.
Related and/or prerequisite courses
Graduate students from all disciplines with a genuine desire to improve their ability to communicate in scientific English are eligible to take this course. If too many students apply, priority is given to students in the Department of Communications and Integrated Systems.
Evaluation
Exercises (50%)
Oral presentations (15%);
Poster Presentation (15%)
Submission of an English language manuscript (20%)
Comments from lecturer
Effective scientific communication is essential for the pursuit of successful careers and for the progress of science. A scientific idea will not be universally accepted unless it is published in a public domain and in a language shared by the scientific community. That language is English; and the command of any language, for that matter, entails constant practice to improve one's reading, writing, and listening skills. This course is, therefore designed to help non-native speakers of English, from all disciplines, to communicate their ideas on research to a wider range of audiences.
