193 F19 Torbica

Department of English Language and Literature 

Fall 2019 

ENGLISH 193*10:  

Communications in the Sciences (Physical) 

Instructor: Maša Torbica (mtorbica@uwaterloo.ca)  

Class Location: STC 3014 

Class Time: Tuesday and Thursday 4:00-5:20 PM 

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 2:00-3:30 (also available by appointment) 

Office: SJU Sweeney Hall 2202 

Course Description 

To have an impact, the information and insights generated by scientific research must be effectively communicated, whether to publics, policymakers, or other scientists. In this course you will learn about effective written, oral, and visual communication in the physical sciences.  You will have the opportunity to shape these communication skills through iterative design processes that emphasize attention to your audience, the purpose of your communications, and student agency.  You will work individually and collaboratively to craft messages for internal and external audiences, including scientists, funding stakeholders, affected communities, or broader publics.  You will learn about a variety of genres, including research reports, grant proposals, conference abstracts, presentation posters, public talks, and podcasts.  Overall, this course will help you enhance your capacity to conduct research and report research findings, communicate ethically, and thereby effect important change. 

Course Goals and Learning Outcomes 

Communication is essential for scientists, and scientists communicate in many different ways with many different audiences. In this course we will introduce you to a variety of ways scientists communicate, giving you the basis to begin sharing the importance of science in more tailored, concise and effective messaging. 

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to: 

1. design, draft, and persuasively deliver scientific communications to expert and non-expert audiences 

2. justify decisions about the language, content, and genre used when communicating scientific information 

3. practice collaboration and peer review in support of iterative communication design processes, including revision 

4. practice research processes to find, assess, document, incorporate, and cite research resources and communicate research findings 

5. describe and appraise the purposes and ethical concerns of science communication 

Course Materials 

Required Text 

Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals, and Presentations by Angelika Hofmann, 3rd edition (Oxford UP, 2017) 

(copy available on Course Reserve in Dana Porter Library) 

Additional Readings Available on LEARN: Individual readings and resources will also be available on LEARN as links or PDFs.  

Course Requirements and Assessments 

This course will progress through three units:

1: Science in Society 

Assessment: Science vs. Scientific Writing  

2: Mechanics of Scientific Writing 

Assessment: Science Report 

3: Professional Scientific Communication 

Assessment: Funding Project (comprised of Proposal, Presentation, 2 Peer Review sessions, and a Revised Final Project) 

Detailed outlines will be provided for all assignments, closer to the due dates.  

Note: There is no exam for this course. 

Course Schedule 

Accessibility Statement  

If you want to talk about an accommodation, please write me so we can meet and discuss your needs. If you can, let me know at the beginning of the term so that we can make arrangements to support you throughout the term.  

Diversity and Inclusivity Statement 

It is my intention to create an inclusive teaching and learning environment for us in which we respect each other’s identities (including race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, class, sexuality, religion, ability, etc.). We will do this through recognizing our diverse thoughts, perspectives, and experiences as well as by acknowledging that we are all learning and growing together. At all times, we will need respect for ourselves and for others. I am here to empower you and to help all of us learn, and I will do my best to promote inclusivity, honour diversity, and protect the safety of our classroom space as one in which we are all set up to succeed.  

Territorial Acknowledgement 

The Department of English Language and Literature acknowledges that we live and work on the traditional territory of ‎ the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes ten kilometres on each side of the Grand River.  

On October 25th, 1784, Sir Frederick Haldimand, the governor of Québec, signed a decree that granted a tract of land to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), also known as the Six Nations, for their alliance with British forces during the American Revolution (1775-83). The Haldimand Tract extends by 10 kilometers on both sides of the Grand River. Originally, 950,000 acres were designated for the Haldimand Tract; today, only approximately 48,000 acres remain. Read more about the history and ongoing negotiations at: http://www.sixnations.ca/LandsResources/HaldProc.htm 

Course Policies 

Late Assignments  

Assignments submitted after the due date will result in a 2% per day penalty.  If you are not in class the day of a presentation or external peer review session, you will receive a zero.   

Team Work 

When working in a team, it is crucial that you discuss roles, goals, timelines, and expectations early on.  Make sure that you have exchanged contact information and are available to meet outside of class to work on assignments.  Any issues with your partner(s) should be brought to my attention as soon as possible as complaints issued after assignments are due are difficult to resolve.  

Electronic Device Policy 

Students may use electronic devices (laptops, tablets, phones etc.) for class-related activities only (i.e. note-taking, group projects, conducting research, LEARN etc.).  Electronic devices used for any other purpose is not permitted.  The instructor reserves the right to request electronic communication to be turned off and put away if it is distracting.  Repeat instances of inappropriate use of electronics in the classroom will negatively affect your participation grade.  Recording or photographing any part of a classroom lecture/activity is not permitted unless you’ve been given special permission.   

Grading Scale 

On Campus Student Resources 

Counselling Services 

From transition to university life, to changes in expectations, to relationships, there are a lot of reasons you might seek help for your mental health. 1 in 5 Canadians experience a mental health concern in their lifetime. You are not alone. 

Counselling Services offers a variety of confidential services at no charge to University of Waterloo students who are currently registered or are on a co-op term. Mental health professionals are here for you and interested in helping you through whatever you are experiencing. Their regular hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m; they are located in Needles Hall Addition on the 2nd Floor. Their phone number is 519-888-4567 ext. 32655. 

The Writing and Communication Centre works with students as they develop, draft, and revise their ideas. Writing and communication specialists offer one-on-one support in planning assignments, synthesizing and citing research, organizing papers and reports, designing presentations and e-portfolios, and revising for clarity and coherence.   

AccessAbility Services (located on the first floor of the Needles Hall extension, NH 1401) collaborates with all academic departments to arrange appropriate protocols for students with disabilities. If you require academic accommodations, please register with AccessAbility Services at the beginning of each academic term. 

The Student Success Office provides a range of academic and personal development services, resources for international students, as well as study abroad and exchange support.  They work closely with campus partners to create a vibrant experience for students from their first days at Waterloo, right to convocation. The SSO is located in South Campus Hall, second floor.  

Nutrition Services: https://uwaterloo.ca/campus-wellness/health-services/nutrition-services 

Health Services: https://uwaterloo.ca/campus-wellness/contact-us 

University Policies on Academic Integrity 

Academic Integrity: To maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the University of Waterloo are expected to promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. 

Discipline: A student is expected to know what constitutes academic integrity, to avoid committing academic offences, and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is unsure whether an action constitutes an offence, or who needs help in learning how to avoid offences (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about “rules” for group work/collaboration should seek guidance from the course professor, academic advisor, or the Undergraduate Associate Dean. When student misconduct has occurred disciplinary penalties will be imposed under Policy 71 – Student Discipline. For information on categories of offenses and types of penalties, students should refer to Policy 71 - Student Discipline http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy71.htm 

Grievance: A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university life has been unfair or unreasonable may have grounds for initiating a grievance. Read Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances, Section 4 http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy70.htm 

Appeals: A student may appeal the finding and/or penalty in a decision made under Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances (other than regarding a petition) or Policy 71 - Student Discipline if a ground for an appeal can be established.  Read Policy 72 - Student Appeals http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy72.htm 

Academic Integrity Office (University): http://uwaterloo.ca/academicintegrity/