P000105, Scientific Writing and Peer Review in Ecology, 5.0 Hp
Print syllabus

Syllabus

Finalized by: Matt Low, 2024-09-13
Valid from : Autumn semester 2024 (2024-09-02)

Level

Third cycle

Subject

Biology, Crop Production Science, Agricultural Science

Grading Scale

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

Objectives

To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the process of preparing and writing a scientific paper for submission to international, peer-reviewed journals. Throughout the course, students will become familiar with the principles of effective scientific writing and develop their skills in this area. Additionally, a significant focus will be placed on understanding the reviewing process, enabling students to navigate the world of scientific publishing successfully.
*Intended learning outcomes and objectives:
*After the course, students should:- have the basic knowledge about strategies and reasons for publishing research.- be able to plan and implement all steps in the process of writing and submitting a manuscript. - be familiar with the reviewing procedure both being a reviewer and receiving comments and suggestions from reviewers.

Content

The course includes two parts:
Part 1
Consists of five separate meetings where we discuss the writing process partly based on the content in the course book, Writing Science (2011) by Joshua Schimel, and additional literature provided during the course. Participants will read suggested literature and conduct assignments to prepare for the discussion meetings on these preliminary meeting dates:
1. Introduction: course plan, what is scientific writing, ethics, how to not fear the blank page 
2. Scientific styles & structures: Manuscripts, grant proposals and conference communications
3. Tables, graphs, and photographs, how to select a journal? Submitting the manuscript and the reviewing process.
4. Reviewing: Reading scientific papers with a reviewer’s eye. Language and the review process. 
5. AI tools: Pros, cons & ethics of using AI in scientific writing & reviewing. 
**Part 2
**Consists of review seminars with a group of 3 -5 students and one invited researcher where one of the student’s manuscript will be reviewed and discussed. The student providing a manuscript presents the manuscript objective, the main results and what journal the manuscript is intended for and the reasoning behind that choice. The fellow students present and discuss their comments, questions and suggestions. The discussion is moderated by the senior researcher.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

Attending scheduled discussion seminars including compulsory assignments, actively participating in two review seminars as a reviewer, providing a manuscript for a review seminar and finally submitting the manuscript to a journal. The course credits are registered when the manuscript is submitted to the journal.

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of Ecology

Supplementary information

Other Information

The course will use the book "Writing Science (2011) by Joshua Schimel" as a reference.
The book and additional literature will provided during the course.