Course description for 2025/26
Scientific Communication
MET5019
Course description for 2025/26

Scientific Communication

MET5019

Scientific communication is about how to convey scientific information, ideas, research findings, and theories to a range of audiences, including scientists, professionals in related fields, and the public in general. The subject is pivotal in the planning and writing process of scientific reports including master thesis.

The course includes developing practical skills in both oral and written presentations, finding relevant literature, ability to refer correctly, and the importance of ethic and plagiarism. The course will also dip into how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in academic writing

Admission to the course follows the admission requirements of the study programme Master in Biosciences.

Knowledge - The student:

  • Has advanced knowledge about how to design and write theoretical and empirical scientific reports.
  • Can find, read, analyse and discuss relevant scientific literature with a critical mind
  • Has thorough knowledge about plagiarism and are familiar with ethical issues related to scientific communication.

Skills - The student:

  • Has enhanced ability to critically analyse scientific literature, assess the validity of data, and evaluate the strength of arguments.
  • Are able to make a correct reference list as well as incorporate references correctly in a written text.
  • Master to give oral presentations about a specific scientific area
  • Are familiar with the use of End-Note as a reference tool
  • Have ideas about how AI can be helpful when writing academic texts.

General competence - The student:

  • Master to speak confidently about scientific topics to both expert and non-expert audiences.
  • Has a strong commitment to ethical standards in scientific communication, including honesty, transparency, and accountability.
No costs except semester registration fee and syllabus literature.

Compulsory:

Master in Biosciences and Nordic Master in Sustainable Production and Utilization of Marine Bioresources

Web based lectures focusing on general aspects of scientific method, scientific writing and ethics. For stats analyses, a flipped classroom approach with web based lectures, followed by classroom sessions with discussion of curriculum and worked examples of stats analyses. A number of statistical analysis exercises are to be handed in throughout the course as part of the work requirement. Group sessions with student assistants are used to support the students' work with these hand-ins. Collective feedback is given on hand-ins.
Midterm evaluation (dialogue meeting between lecturer and students). Written, web-based final evaluation.

Obligatory assessment: Follow Research Seminars in Biosciences: Join minimum 4 seminars and write a summary of minimum 2 pages on 2 seminars. The summary should be evaluated by peer-review (Students will be asked to critique each other’s work, fostering a collaborative learning environment and helping them develop critical thinking skills). The students will also prepare a digital posters in groups on a chosen topics.

Summative assessments/Final assessment: Each candidate needs to write a mini review article (6 pages) with minimum 20 literature references (Home based exam) and required to give one oral presentation/seminar (15 min/10 slides) in the physical form. The topic of the mini-review should be relevant to the field of study for the individual student.

Pen, ruler and up to 2 bilingual dictionaries.

Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and submitting it wholly or partially as one's own answer is considered cheating.