Research & Technical Writing in the Sciences (LS3113)

Instructor: Mr. Doyle L. Crosswhite; B.S. Biological Science/Chemistry, Northwestern Oklahoma State University; M.S. Zoology, Oklahoma State University

Office: JA404    Office Hours: by appointment only.

Phone: 405/878-5194    Fax: 405/878-5198    E-mail: dlcrosswhite@sgc.edu

Homepage: http://intranet.sgc.edu/people/faculty/dlcrosswhite  

Course Description: Use of library resources including reference materials, bibliographical literature, and computer searching. Preparation of subject bibliographies and literature reviews, practice writing/editing abstracts, and manuscripts. Prerequisites: junior standing or consent of the instructor.

Goals of the Course:

1. Provide students with hands-on experience using the latest research/reference technologies (Internet, automated library catalogs, abstracting services, etc.)

2. Students will gain experience preparing manuscripts for publication, outlines, abstracts, professional portfolio/curriculum vitae, and letters of application.

Required Textbooks/Materials:

Council of Biology Editors. 1994. Scientific style and format: the CBE manual for authors, editors, and publishers 6th ed. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY.

Supplementary materials are included on a general bibliography for students (see below).

Method of Student Evaluation:

Proposal and Bibliography

150
Literature Reviews 200
Other Writing/Editing Assignments 200
Participation, Attendance, and performance 150
Curriculum Vitae 150
Total 850

Course Outline:

Introduction & Orientation
What is Science and How does it Work?
Scientific Method of Inquiry
Library Research Methods and Resources
Scholarly Journals
Preparing Bibliographies
Outlines
Literature Reviews and Scientific Reports
The Science of Scientific Writing
CBE Style
The Manuscript Preparation Process
Abstracts- example
Professional Correspondence
Cover Letters- example #1; example #2; example #3
References Page- example
Curriculum Vitae


Selected Bibliography:

Gopen, G. D. and J. A. Swan. 1990. The science of scientific writing. American Scientist. 78:550-558.

Harnack, A. and E. Kleppinger. 1997. Online: a reference guide to using Internet sources. St. Martin's Press, NY.

Lertzman, K. 1995. Notes on writing papers and theses. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. pp. 86-90.

Course Tools:

Research Project Plagiarism
Library Research Tools Refereed Journals & Abstracting Services
Bibliographies Topic Ideas

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