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Scientific writing clinic

27 October, 10 November, and 8 December

flyer (PDF document)

lecturer

Dr Heather Murray, Language Center, Universität Zürich (heather.murray(at)sprachen.uzh.ch).

objectives

The chief aim of the course is to enable participants to improve their written scientific English to such an extent that their articles are considered by high-impact journals in their field.

summary and pre-course assignment

The course takes a 'hands-on' approach to writing, with all participants receiving individual help in correcting and re-structuring their own writing, which they must have started before the beginning of the course.

The course consist of three main components:
- Linguistic components of better writing, including areas like word order, text linkers, tenses, cohesion, scientific style, and text flow.
- Linguistic characteristics of research texts: the textual characteristics of abstracts as well as of introduction, results, discussion and methods sections.
- Self-help strategies for scientific writers, such as the effective use of model articles as well as books and online references in checking style, grammar, terminology and usage in specific fields.

Attendance with active participation on all 3 days is required. This means participants must submit 3-10 pages of an article/dissertation before the beginning of the course, and continue to work on their text in the weeks while the course is taking place.

Dr Heather Murray will contact directly all registered participants 1 month before the beginning of the course.

general information

Dates:  Thursday 27 October, 10 November, and 8 December 2009

Schedule: 8.55 - 17.05

Location: University of Neuchâtel, Faculté des sciences, UniMail, building C (Animalerie), room 001

Credit points: 2.0 credit points (Communication)

Evaluation: Active participation including preparation (home work as described; please note the deadlines)

Information: Please contact the doctoral program coordinator Dr. Christiane Bobillier or Dr. Heather Murray

Travel expenses: participants of the doctoral program are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train (half-fare card, and 2nd class). Please send the original tickets (no copies, except for the general abonnement) at the end of the term to Dr. Christiane Bobillier.  No reimbursement for bus, taxi or car travel expenses will be paid.

This course is open to all Ph.D. students, however until 1 September priority is given to "Interuniversity doctoral program in organismal biology" participants.

Minimum number of participants: 8, maximum: 12. Course full

This course is free, but the effective cost is approx. CHF 600.00 per person. Therefore a waiting list will be prepared to ensure that there are no empty seats.

Registration through the web only: closed

Deadline: 29 September 2009.