This course is designed as a practical "how-to" course for graduate students (Master and PhD) of science and engineering who plan to write up and publish their research results and give presentations at international conferences. This course consists of two parts. In the first part, the students will learn how to write and publish a scientific paper, including how to structure a paper, how to write the abstract, introduction, materials & methods, results, discussion, and conclusions. The students will also learn how to represent experimental and analytical results graphically. The students will learn about the entire publication process, from writing the first paper draft to finalizing the camera-ready version. Publishing a scientific paper involves more than just writing - a scientist also needs to understand how the editorial and peer review process work. We will pay particular attention to how to respond to reviewers' comments and revise a paper accordingly. Another important component of this course is how to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls in the writing process, including problems of grammar and style. In practical exercises, the students will hone their academic writing skills. The second part of the course focuses on academic presentation skills. Here, we will study how to design effective presentation slides, how to give an oral presentation, and particularly how to handle the Q&A session.
After successful completion of this course, the students will know
(1) how to write and publish a scientific paper;
(2) how to respond to reviewers' comments;
(3) how to design effective presentation slides;
(4) how to give a scientific presentation and handle the Q&A session.
scientific writing; presentation; academic publication; review process; Q&A session
Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
The first part of the course consists of lectures on scientific writing. In the second part, the students will practice scientific presentations with Q&A sessions.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction to the course; general principles of good scientific writing | - |
Class 2 | How to write effective sentences and paragraphs | Revision |
Class 3 | How to use effective words; how to avoid common mistakes | Assignment |
Class 4 | How to organize a research paper using IMRaD; how to write the Materials & Methods | Revision |
Class 5 | How to write the Results; how to produce effective tables and figures; how to describe figures | Assignment |
Class 6 | How to write the Discussion & Conclusions | Revision |
Class 7 | How to prepare presentation slides | Revision |
Class 8 | How to write the Introduction; how to cite the literature | Assignment |
Class 9 | How to write the Abstract; how to choose a good title | Assignment |
Class 10 | How to revise a paper; how to respond to reviewers' comments | Prepare presentation |
Class 11 | Students' presentations with Q&A | Prepare presentation |
Class 12 | Students' presentations with Q&A | Prepare presentation |
Class 13 | Students' presentations with Q&A | Prepare presentation |
Class 14 | Students' presentations with Q&A |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
None required. Course materials are provided during class.
H. Glasman-Deal (2009) Science Research Writing: A Guide for Non-Native Speakers of English, Imperial College Press.
J.L. Lebrun (2009) When the Scientist Presents: An Audio and Video Guide to Science Talks. World Scientific Publishing Company.
Students' grades will be based on their completed assignments and presentations.
At least an intermediate level of English is required.
daniel.berrar [at] ict.e.titech.ac.jp
This course is for all graduate students (MSc and PhD) who are planning to submit their papers to an international journal or conference, and students who are planning to give a presentation at an international conference. Although this course is designed primarily for non-native speakers of English, native speakers who are not yet familiar with the academic publishing process or with scientific presentations will also benefit from this course.