Topics covered include abstracts, nature of scientific writing, structure and organization of scientific publication, use of literature, graphics and graphic design, and methods of polishing the oral presentation. The course is required of all biological sciences graduate students in their first spring semester of residence and is open to all other graduate students with permission of instructor. One, two-hour course meeting per week. Science proceeds only with the communication of ideas. The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with acceptable methods of communication, both oral and written.
Activities involve some lecture but primary emphasis is in discussions and recitations.
Use of graphic and video equipment. All poster and oral presentations are produced using PowerPoint. Grade will be based on participation, timely completion of weekly assignments, and the two final products - the publication and the oral presentation. It is understood that each student will attend all scheduled class periods. It also is expected that each student will attend all Department seminars.