Bi3112 Science Writing Workshop

Faculty of Science
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (příf plus uk k 1 zk 2 plus 1 > 4). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Jeffrey Clark Nekola, PhD. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. Jeffrey Clark Nekola, PhD.
Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Jeffrey Clark Nekola, PhD.
Supplier department: Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Wed 16:00–17:50 D31/239
Prerequisites
SOUHLAS
Participants MUST at the start of the course have some type of completed scientific analysis which they ultimately plan on submitting to a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Capacity limit is 8 students.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 8 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 3/8, only registered: 0/8, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/8
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 10 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Even through science writing is constrained to a pre-defined format and is limited to replicable, empirical data, it must also be framed as compelling stories told in simple and clear but beautiful language. And to do that we must embrace and be comfortable with our artistic side. Writing a successful scientific paper is thus not just about having a compelling question, good experimental design and convincing results. It is also about effectively communicating what you have learned with others. This is aided through use of a narrative structure that presents a story with a clear and interesting beginning, a cogent middle, and an ending that generates a catharsis as the reader’s world view is changed in some way – whether it be a revolutionary new theoretical concept or the simple discovery of a new rare species population. Without such a clear narrative, scientific research can easily become bogged down in pedantic details, and readers are lost along the way. This course is intended to teach these communication skills within a collaborative workshop environment, with extensive opportunities for individualized instruction.
Learning outcomes
The course will provide the information, experience and feedback required to successfully write and publish scientific papers through use of basic narrative non-fiction writing skills. We will also consider how to find an appropriate journal and how to target writing to that specific audience. In our weekly meetings we will first introduce and discuss some important writing concept, and then provide feedback on up to three projects. We will cycle through all projects over the course of a month, allowing each participant to receive feedback from the group at least three times during a semester.
Syllabus
  • The class will meet for 12 consecutive weeks. Weekly topics will include issues such as: effective written communication, writing to your audience, selecting publication venues, narrative structure, effective introductions, identifying catharsis points, choosing figures and tables, etc. The course will be taught in a workshop format, in which each participant will bring a project which they will share and work on with the class at three different times across the semester. This will allow for collaborative feedback and improvement from both the position of content creator and consumer. This course is exclusively taught in English.
Teaching methods
The course will be taught in a workshop format, in which each participant will bring a project which they will share and work on with the class. This will allow for collaborative feedback and improvement from both the position of content creator and consumer. This course is exclusively taught in English.
Assessment methods
To receive passing marks, participants will both need to (1) successfully complete a work for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal; (2) participate in feedback and discussion of other people’s works.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
The professor has published over 90 works in the peer-reviewed literature (including journals, book chapters, and books) across a wide range of venues ranging from Nature and TREE to the Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science and the Michigan Botanist. These have garnered 8902 total citations with an associated H-index score of 35.
The course is also listed under the following terms autumn 2021, Autumn 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/autumn2024/Bi3112