Fundamentals of Scientific Communication

Course description

This course teaches the design, preparation, and delivery of scientific presentations. The principles covered in this course will be applicable to conference presentations and job talks, as well as to scientific papers. Furthermore, this course will explain the meaning and importance of peer-review and teach how to evaluate the work of others and how to provide constructive criticism. Students will have ample opportunity to practice their presentation and evaluation skills.

Block 1

Scientific Presentations

Design: broader impact - key results - conclusions
Preparation: slide layout - simplify - practice
Delivery: make it exciting - make it easy - make it last

Block 2

Scientific Evaluation

What is peer-review?
Best practice when reviewing the work of others
Providing constructive criticism

Block 3

Draft presentations in small-group settings

Group feedback
Peer-evaluations and suggestions

Block 4

Presentations to a broad, departmental audience

Practice public speaking
Peer-grading