Writing Scientific Reports in English (3 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

After completing the course students have achieved the following skills:
- Realistic evaluation of one’s own language (English) learning skills
- Accessing information from a wide range of sources
- Critical evaluation of information
- Competence in scientific reporting

Content (course unit)

The students will practice producing reports which are logically structured, cover sufficient and relevant content, include appropriately labelled graphics, follow the norms for referencing and lay-out, and are written in clear and accurate English.
The students will develop their skills in summarising, paraphrasing and synthesise source materials.

Exam schedules

No exam, complete tasks:
1. Practice report (concerning 17IDEE or some other group)
2. Mechanics report (pass-fail)
3. Soil science report (insects) - the version submitted to the Soil Science teacher will be graded
4. Project on learning - graded
-

Evaluation methods and criteria

There will be no exam. The grade is given based on completion of tasks and the level of writing and reporting skills. Attendance 80%.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Workshops
Writing exercises
Practice of specific writing skills
Written assignments

Learning materials

TAMK reporting guide
Materials will be supplied in class and posted in Tabula.

Student workload

Students attend one two hour session each week and have tasks and report to complete every week.
It is important to reserve time for individual work.

Completion alternatives

Showing competence in the agreed manner (send a message to taru.owston@tamk.fi and attach reports you have written previously.)

Practical training and working life cooperation

Mini research tasks

International connections

International group.

Further information

This course is integrated with the following 1st-year courses
- Physics (mechanics report)
- Soil Science (insect report)
In order to be successful in all three courses it is very important to keep to the planned schedule.
Those students not attending Mechanics and Soil Science show their skill otherwise.

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

One or more of the reports submitted fail to meet the specific criteria.

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student writes in comprehensible English on the whole and shows some awareness of the norms for scientific writing; references to source materials are included. 80% attendance.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student's English is mainly formal and clear; reports meet norms for scientific writing, references to source materials are incorporated consistently, source materials are adequately paraphrased. 80% attendance.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student's English is mainly formal and accurate; reports meet norms for scientific writing, references to source materials are incorporated consistently and in a variety of ways, source materials are adequately paraphrased.80% attendance.