upcoming online course by Stanford Online
This course teaches scientists to become more effective writers, using practical examples and exercises. Topics include: principles of good writing, tricks for writing faster and with less anxiety, the format of a scientific manuscript, and issues in publication and peer review. Students from non-science disciplines can benefit from the training provided in the first four weeks (on general principles of effective writing).Course formatIn the first four weeks, we will review principles of effective writing, examples of good and bad writing, and tips for making the writing process easier. In the second four weeks, we will examine issues specific to scientific writing, including: authorship, peer review, the format of an original manuscript, and communicating science for lay audiences. Students will watch video lectures, complete quizzes and editing exercises, write two short papers, and edit each others’ work.
Course syllabus
Week 1 – Introduction; principles of effective writing (cutting unnecessary clutter)
Week 2 – Principles of effective writing (verbs)
Week 3 – Crafting better sentences and paragraphs
Week 4 – Organization; and streamlining the writing process
Week 5 – The format of an original manuscript
Week 6 – Reviews, commentaries, and opinion pieces; and the publication process
Week 7 – Issues in scientific writing (plagiarism, authorship, ghostwriting, reproducible research)
Week 8 – How to do a peer review; and how to communicate with the lay public
Course coming soon! If you would like to be notified of course launch please fill out the CME interest form.PrerequisitesThe course has no prerequisites other than fluency in English.
FAQ:
Will I get a statement of accomplishment?
Yes, students who score at least 60 percent will pass the course and receive a Statement of Accomplishment.
Students who score at least 90 percent will receive a Statement of Accomplishment with distinction.How much of a time commitment will this course be?
You should expect this course to require 4 to 8 hours of work per week.Any additional textbooks/software required?
There is no textbook for this course. Students who would like additional reading may enjoy:
– On Writing Well, William Zinsser
– The Elements of Style, Strunk and White
– Sin and Syntax, Constance Hale
– Essentials of Writing Biomedical Research Papers, Mimi Zeiger
– http://www.aacc.org/publications/clin_chem/ccgsw/Pages/default.aspx
– Science and Society: An Anthology for Readers and Writers, eds: Nelson-McDermott, LePan, Buzzard
– We recommend taking this course on a standard computer using Google Chrome as the internet browser. We are not yet optimized for mobile devices.
Yes, students who score at least 60 percent will pass the course and receive a Statement of Accomplishment.
Students who score at least 90 percent will receive a Statement of Accomplishment with distinction.How much of a time commitment will this course be?
You should expect this course to require 4 to 8 hours of work per week.Any additional textbooks/software required?
There is no textbook for this course. Students who would like additional reading may enjoy:
– On Writing Well, William Zinsser
– The Elements of Style, Strunk and White
– Sin and Syntax, Constance Hale
– Essentials of Writing Biomedical Research Papers, Mimi Zeiger
– http://www.aacc.org/publications/clin_chem/ccgsw/Pages/default.aspx
– Science and Society: An Anthology for Readers and Writers, eds: Nelson-McDermott, LePan, Buzzard
– We recommend taking this course on a standard computer using Google Chrome as the internet browser. We are not yet optimized for mobile devices.
Course logo image adapted from one of Nic McPhee’s photos on flickr. Used under a Creative Commons license.
Instructors
Kristin Sainan
Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University
Kristin Sainan
Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University
