Writing, Publishing, and Communicating Peer-Reviewed Papers in Biological Sciences (BSC 6936; 3 credits)
Why Academics Stink at Writing – Steven Pinker
SYLLABUS FOR LECTURES/WRITING LABS
Term: Spring 2019
Location: MMC, AHC1-416
Date/Time: Fridays 12:00PM-2:00PM
Instructor: Dr. John Kominoski; OE 207; 305.348.7117; jkominos@fiu.edu
https://kominoskilab.com/communicating-science/
Class Schedule
Jan. 18: LECTURE: Writing Overview: Essential Components of Scientific Manuscripts
LECTURE: Science Writing as Storytelling/Structure/OCAR
25: LECTURE: The Opening: Is Anybody Listening?
LAB: Title/Abstract/Introduction
Feb. 1: LECTURE: The Challenge: Develop Important, Testable Questions
LAB: Questions that Advance Science
8: LECTURE: The Action: When, Where, Why, What, How
LAB: Methods and Results
15: LECTURE: The Resolution: Take us home
LAB: Revised Results
22: LECTURE: Writing from the Inside Out: Where and How to Begin
LAB: Discussion and Conclusion
Mar. 1: LECTURE: Acknowledgements, Literature Cited, Tables and Figures
LAB: Manuscript – writing group feedback
8: LECTURE: Authorship and Ethics
LAB: Manuscript – writing group feedback
15: Spring Break – No Class
22: LECTURE: Journal Instruction for Authors, Cover Letters, Choosing Reviewers
LAB: Manuscript – writing group feedback
29: LECTURE: The Review Process
LAB: Manuscript –writing group feedback
April 5: LECTURE: Service: Providing Excellent Peer Reviewer
LAB: Manuscript – First Draft Due
12: LECTURE: Responding to Reviews
LAB: Peer reviews returned, discussed
19: LECTURE: Science Communication: Beyond the Publication
LAB: Example outreach communication pieces
26: Revised Manuscripts Due/ Course Evaluations
Required Textbook
Schimel, Joshua. 2012. Writing Science – How to write papers that get cited and proposals that get funded. Oxford University Press, New York. ISBN: 978-0-19-976024-4
Grading
- Manuscript First submission: 30%
- Manuscript Final submission: 15%
- Manuscript Peer Review: 30%
- Class Participation/Attendance: 25%
Publication Status & Grade
- Accept as is: 100
- Accept with minor revisions: 95
- Accept with moderate revisions: 85
- Reconsider after major revision: 75
- Reject: ≤65
Expectations & Participation.
Students will (1) participate in weekly lectures, labs, and discussions, (2) participate in giving and receiving weekly feedback with peer writing partner, (3) present manuscript sections and draft manuscripts during two labs based, (4) write a manuscript draft and revised manuscript of original, completed thesis or dissertation research, and (5) provide a journal-style peer review of another student’s draft manuscript. Weekly activities will include (i) preparing and circulating manuscript sections and draft manuscripts by the class period prior to the class period where materials will be presented, (ii) integrating feedback from class into revised manuscripts, (iii) and communicating their updated results and interpretations throughout the writing and revisioning process. Students will be graded on their attendance (all absences must be excused), participation, facilitation of discussion and the clarity, content and conciseness of all written work.
Student Outcomes.
After completing this course, students will be able to (i) understand how to structure a scientific paper as a story containing essential elements of effective writing, (ii) identify the fundamental components of scientific papers and how to structure their own scientific paper based on the target journal of their choice, (iii) provide effective peer review as a professional service to their scientific community, (iv) write a cover letter to the editor(s) of peer-reviewed journals to solicit their consideration of review of their manuscripts as well as write a response cover letter to address peer-review feedback on resubmitted manuscripts to a journal.
