Academic writing

ECTS Credits

5

Level of Study

Master

Teaching semester

Autumn.

This course has a limited capacity, enrolment is based on application. The application deadline is Wednesday in week 33 for the autumn semester. Please see this page for more information. You will receive confirmation of whether you received a seat in Studentweb no later than Monday the week after the deadline.

It is compulsory to attend the first lecture/orientation meeting, or you risk losing your seat. If you are unable to attend the first lecture, you must contact the Study Section (studie.bio@uib.no). The time of the first lecture/orientation meeting can be found in the schedule on the course website or on Mitt UiB.

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

The course will teach students how to write a master thesis and a research paper, and the structure of classical IMRaD-papers in science. The course includes practical training in scientific writing, collaboration, presenting research, and in giving and receiving feedback on texts (peer-review).

The course will cover the elements of an IMRaD paper, including text structure, language, citations etc., as well as academic writing and co-writing, production of graphics, collection of data, basic ethics of scientific writing and practical library skills. The students will produce an IMRaD-paper partly with their group, and partly as an individual exercise.

Learning Outcomes

After taking this course the students should be able to:

• write a master thesis in the IMRaD format
• ask a research question, formulate hypotheses, collect relevant data, and make figures
• write scientific text with flow and style, and critical use of core scientific literature
• present a research project in relevant formats
• work with peers to improve a draft text

Required Previous Knowledge

Bachelor's degree in biology or equivalent. The course is limited to master programme students at the Department of Biological Sciences.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

BIO300: 5 ECTS

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and seminars

Forms of Assessment

Portfolio assessment.

Examination Support Material

None

Grading Scale

Pass/fail

Reading List

The reading list will be available within June 1st for the autumn semester and December 1st for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation

Students will evaluate the course in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the Department. You can find courseevaluations in the Quality Assurance Reports.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses.

Course Administrator

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences - Department of Biological Sciences has the administrative responsibility for the course and program.