Writing Scientific Reports in English (3cr)

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 and 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.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

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.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

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.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

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.

Exam schedules

No exams. The assessment based on the work done in Moodle and reports produced. Students receive their grade at the end of the semester. They can upgrade this grade by showing the teachers a better report they have written during the following semester (specific deadline will be given).

Assessment methods and criteria

The assessement is based on
active participation (monitored by Emmanuel Abruquah) 20 points
report on circular economy (asssessed by Emmanuel Abruquh) 30 points
soil science report (assessed by Taru Owston) 50 points. Final decision made in the first class.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

The students start writing reports immediately and are guided in how to write reports in accordane with TAMK reporting guide.

Learning materials

TAMK reporting guide.

Student workload

Two hours of contact teaching each week and roughly three hours of individual work (information search, writing, watching videos). Note that the Soil Science report takes more time, it is part of the Soil Science course, too.

Content scheduling

1) Period 1 Circular economy report completed. Layout of a report, in-text references, list of references, tables and graphs
2) Period 2 Soil Science report completed: Structure of a lab report, describing methods, research questions (integrated with the Soil Science course)

Completion alternatives

If a student has been writing scientific reports before they can show samples of their work and answer questions to demonstrate their understanding of referencing, chapters, the use of tables and figures, introductions and conclusions.

Practical training and working life cooperation

The students can use the reports to demonstrate the skill in report writing when they apply for internships.

International connections

International class. The principles of scientific reporting apply everywhere in the scientifc world.

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

Work not completed according to the assessment 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.

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

Tasks are completed in time and participation is active. 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.

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

Tasks are completed in time and participation is active. 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.