Writing in the Sciences
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9,826 reviews
9,826 reviews
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There are 8 modules in this course
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, peer review, grant writing, ethical issues in scientific publication, and writing for general audiences.
Unit 1 introduces the course and reviews key principles of effective writing. In particular, you will practice cutting clutter from writing.
What's included
7 videos2 assignments
7 videos•Total 79 minutes
- 1.1: Introduction; principles of effective writing•11 minutes
- 1.2: Examples of what not to do•7 minutes
- 1.3: Overview, principles of effective writing•6 minutes
- 1.4: Cut the clutter•17 minutes
- 1.5: Cut the clutter, more tricks•4 minutes
- 1.6: Practicing cutting clutter•10 minutes
- Demo Edit 1 (Optional)•23 minutes
2 assignments•Total 75 minutes
- Unit 1 Homework•60 minutes
- Unit 1 Practice•15 minutes
Unit 2 focuses on writing with strong, active verbs. Lessons include how to: write in the active voice; avoid turning verbs into nouns; choose strong verbs; and get to the main verb of a sentence quickly.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 87 minutes
- 2.1: Use the active voice•16 minutes
- 2.2: Is it really OK to use "We" and "I"•5 minutes
- 2.3: Active voice practice•5 minutes
- 2.4: Write with verbs•9 minutes
- 2.5: Practice examples•21 minutes
- 2.6: A few grammar tips•10 minutes
- Demo Edit 2 (Optional)•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
- Unit 2 Homework•60 minutes
Unit 3 reviews how to vary sentence structure and write strong paragraphs. You will practice using the dash, colon, semi-colon, and parentheses, as well as writing well-organized and concise paragraphs.
What's included
8 videos1 assignment1 peer review
8 videos•Total 105 minutes
- 3.1: Experiment with punctuation•28 minutes
- 3.2: Practice, colon and dash•7 minutes
- 3.3: Parallelism•6 minutes
- 3.4: Paragraphs•9 minutes
- 3.5: Paragraph Editing I•14 minutes
- 3.6: Paragraph Editing II•11 minutes
- Module 3.7: A few more tips•7 minutes
- Demo Edit 3 (Optional)•23 minutes
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
- Unit 3 Homework•60 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Paragraph editing exercise•60 minutes
Unit 4 reviews the writing process. I will give you tips for making the writing process easier, more efficient, and more organized.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 81 minutes
- 4.1 More paragraph practice•16 minutes
- 4.2 Overview of the writing process•7 minutes
- 4.3 The pre-writing step•11 minutes
- 4.4 The writing step•8 minutes
- 4.5: Revision•5 minutes
- 4.6: Checklist for the final draft•12 minutes
- Demo Edit 4 (Optional)•20 minutes
1 assignment•Total 180 minutes
- Unit 4 Homework•180 minutes
Unit 5 reviews the sections of a scientific manuscript. You will learn how to format tables and figures, and how to write results, methods, introduction, and discussion sections.
What's included
9 videos1 assignment
9 videos•Total 137 minutes
- 5.1: Tables and Figures•37 minutes
- 5.2: Results•12 minutes
- 5.3: Practice writing results•6 minutes
- 5.4: Methods•13 minutes
- 5.5: Introduction•15 minutes
- 5.6: Introduction practice•5 minutes
- 5.7: Discussion•21 minutes
- 5.8: Abstract•6 minutes
- Demo Edit 5 (Optional)•22 minutes
1 assignment•Total 45 minutes
- Unit 5 Homework•45 minutes
Unit 6 discusses the peer review process, as well as ethical issues in scientific publishing. You will learn how to avoid plagiarism, determine authorship, submit a paper, write a peer review, and avoid predatory journals.
What's included
9 videos1 assignment1 peer review
9 videos•Total 143 minutes
- 6.1: Plagiarism•18 minutes
- 6.2: Authorship•10 minutes
- 6.3: The Submission Process•12 minutes
- 6.4: Interview with Dr. Bradley Efron•15 minutes
- 6.5: Interview with Dr. George Lundberg•27 minutes
- 6.6: Interview with Dr. Gary Friedman•23 minutes
- 6.7: Doing a peer review•14 minutes
- 6.8: Predatory journals•8 minutes
- Demo Edit 6 (Optional)•18 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
- Unit 6 Homework•20 minutes
1 peer review•Total 300 minutes
- Essay•300 minutes
Unit 7 reviews types of writing beyond original research manuscripts. You will learn how to write review papers, grants, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 104 minutes
- 7.1: Writing a review article•14 minutes
- 7.2: Grants I•14 minutes
- 7.3: Grants II•12 minutes
- 7.4: Grants III•11 minutes
- 7.5 Writing letters of recommendation•20 minutes
- 7.6: Writing personal statements•19 minutes
- Demo Edit 7 (Optional)•14 minutes
1 assignment•Total 45 minutes
- Unit 7 Homework•45 minutes
Unit 8 reviews communication with broader audiences. You will learn how work with the media, be interviewed, conduct an interview, and write about science for general audiences.
What's included
8 videos1 assignment1 peer review
8 videos•Total 125 minutes
- 8.1: Talking with the media•13 minutes
- 8.2: Panel Interview•23 minutes
- 8.3: Writing for general audiences•21 minutes
- 8.4: Writing a science news story•11 minutes
- 8.5: Interviewing a scientist•16 minutes
- 8.6: Social media•21 minutes
- 8.7: Concluding Remarks•1 minute
- Demo Edit 8 (Optional)•19 minutes
1 assignment•Total 60 minutes
- Unit 8 Homework•60 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
- Lay summary exercise•60 minutes
Instructor
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- Status: Free TrialU
University of Colorado System
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University of Colorado Boulder
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Johns Hopkins University
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- Status: PreviewO
O.P. Jindal Global University
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Reviewed on Oct 12, 2020
This course covers each and every aspect about "Writing" - be it a research paper, a recommendation letter, an abstract, and much more. The well organized structure helps to grasp the points faster.
Reviewed on May 10, 2019
Fantastic course that's hard to fault. I am not a working scientist but an inspiring writer in the medical / scientific field. This couse refreshed my knowledge and taught me a lot more. Thank you.
Reviewed on Jan 31, 2019
The course is so informative that I think everyone should take a try. It provides us a fundamental elements to write in a professional way that is not only for our study but also for our profession.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. There is a Stanford Lagunita offering, and a Continuing Medical Education (CME) offering. The different offerings are described below:
The Stanford Lagunita offering is self-paced, unmoderated, includes self assessment assignments, and offers you the ability to earn a free Statement of Accomplishment.
The Coursera offering is provided on a monthly basis, is more moderated, includes peer assessment assignments, and offers you the ability to earn a certificate of completion for a fee.
The CME offering can be used to earn Continuing Medical Education credits.
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
More questions
Financial aid available,
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