Communicating Science: Writing, Editing, Reviewing and Presenting the Language of Science
One Section Available to Choose From:
| Course Dates | Weeks | Meeting Times | Status | Instructor(s) | CRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 24, 2013 - July 12, 2013 | 3 | M-F 2P-5P | Open | Christopher Ciarleglio | 10573 |
Course Description
Two of the greatest challenges facing budding scientists/physicians are to learn the unique language of science and how to effectively communicate with peers. This course introduces essential skills necessary for any science major, emphasizing the language of science and how information is disseminated. Students who complete this course will be prepared for immediate integration into laboratories in basic and clinical science, and be better suited to overall excel in the liberal arts.
The focus of the course is scientific communication. In the great liberal arts tradition, Brown University is charged with teaching its students not just "what to learn" but rather "how to learn" and a major component of that charge is simple communication: reading, writing and presenting information to peers. Science, like many other fields, has its own unique language. Mastering that language is a necessary skill for any potential scientist. This course will introduce students to the tips and tricks that make learning science possible, and will then further develop the students' abilities to read, write, present, and critically analyze scientific data (particularly biological/medical). This course will provide an indispensable foundation of skills for the budding scientist'S skills that are, unfortunately, not stressed at any level of education (including graduate school); though nonetheless essential for success. The course will combine library and open-source resources, along with particular emphasis on reading/writing/critiquing primary scientific literature. Students will be introduced to potential extramural funding sources (even for motivated undergraduates!) and the art of scientific presentation.
This course will present six unique skills that every scientist must master: 1) the ability to find and cite scientific literature; 2) the ability to read and write primary literature and reviews; 3) the ability to locate and take advantage of appropriate funding opportunities; 4) the ability to present data; 5) the ability to review and edit scientific literature; 6) the ability to publish. Each skill builds on the other skills so that mastering one requires building mastery for the others.
Students should be generally enthusiastic and uninhibited. Future scientists will find this class most useful, but focus on intensive reading, writing, and presentation make it appropriate for any student of the liberal arts. A computer and basic computer literacy are essential.
This course is only open to students enrolled in IEP (Intensive English Program).
**When registering in Banner, students must enroll in “Read, Think, Write: Approaching the College Essay” (CRN: 10507) AND one of the following courses: “TOEFL Preparation” (CRN: 10502), “Making the Written Word” (CRN: 10579) or “Communicating Science: Writing , Editing, Reviewing and Presenting the Language of Science” (CRN: 10573)