Reka Mihalka: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016

NameMs Reka Mihalka
Address
Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center
ETH Zürich, TAN D 5.1
Tannenstrasse 1
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
E-mailreka.mihalka@usys.ethz.ch
DepartmentManagement, Technology, and Economics
RelationshipLecturer

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
327-0721-00LWriting for Publication in Materials Science Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 15.
Only for D-MATL doctoral students
2 credits1GR. Mihalka
AbstractThis short course is designed to help junior researchers in Materials Science develop the skills needed to write their first research articles.
ObjectiveWriting for Publication in Materials Science is a short course (5 x 4-lesson workshops) designed to help junior researchers develop the skills needed to write their first research articles. The course deals with topics such as

- identifying target readerships and selecting outlets,
- managing the writing process efficiently,
- structuring the text effectively,
- producing logical flow in sentences and paragraphs,
- editing the text before submission, and
- revising the text in response to reviewers' comments.

Participants will be expected to produce a number of short texts as homework assignments and will receive individual feedback on these during the course. Wherever feasible, elements of participants' future research articles can be developed as assignments within the course, so it is likely to be particularly useful for those who have their data and are about to begin the writing process.
ContentPart 1: Introduction to the course; the writing context; identifying target readers and targeting journals; using model texts; activating vocabulary; writing clear English sentences; the English verb system in research publications - using tense, aspect, and voice

Part 2: The writing process; structural decisions (IMRD and variations); from plan to draft; basics of paragraph structure; reader-friendly paragraph structure; patterns and tools for creating logical flow; the English noun phrase in research publications

Part 3: The experimental narrative; process descriptions, explanation and justification; data commentaries; embedding figures, diagrams, etc.

Part 4: Introductions; creating a research space (CARS); writing about the literature; reference, citation, paraphrase and quotation; discussion and conclusion sections; overview of abstracts and titles

Part 5: Managing the strength of the claim - hedging and emphasis; punctuation and style; the editing process; responding to reviewers' comments; preparing writing portfolios for assessment and research articles for submission.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis short course is designed to help junior researchers in Materials Science develop the skills needed to write their first research articles.
363-1063-00LAcademic Writing Course Restricted registration - show details
Compulsory for students who entered in Spring 2015 onwards.
0 credits1GR. Mihalka, S. Milligan
AbstractThis course for MTEC master's students will focus on developing and refining students' English writing skills and their understanding of the requirements and conventions of academic writing.
ObjectiveThe course develops a range of practical and transferrable writing skills. Its first aim is to improve the academic writing skills necessary for the successful completion of an MSc thesis. The course provides theoretical input, practical writing exercises, and detailed individual feedback. It is organized into an initial group lecture and four subsequent workshops in smaller tutorial groups.

The group lecture raises awareness about academic conduct, especially with regard to plagiarism. Afterwards, students take placement tests so that the areas where they need improvement can be identified. The following workshops concentrate on these highlighted areas, and feedback on placement tests is integrated into the input and practice during these sessions.

Students can use the skills developed on the course to improve the overall quality of their MSc theses and to produce their thesis more rapidly and efficiently. These skills can also be used beyond the MSc, whether students go on to complete a PhD or to produce reports and other documents in industry.
ContentGroup lecture:
an introduction to writing an MSc thesis in D-MTEC
selecting topic and supervisor
academic expectations
avoiding plagiarism

Workshop 1:
the writing process
reading, note taking and planning
overview of the thesis structure
building academic vocabulary

Workshop 2:
writing methods sections
embedding figures and tables
structuring sentences and paragraphs
noun phrases and articles

Workshop 3:
introductions; results and discussion sections
analysis v description
writing critically
relative clauses

Workshop 4:
abstracts and conclusions
editing your own text
punctuation, spelling, and grammar
Lecture notesNotes will be available after registration.