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CSS
695 (Planning and Reporting Research)
Cornell
University
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SYLLABUS
SPRING 2002
- Instructor:
G.W. Fick (507 Bradfield, 255-1704; gwf2@cornell.edu)
- Credit:
2 hours
- Lecture/discussion:
Tuesdays at 9:05 to 11:00 AM in 133 Emerson
- Texts:
- Publications
Handbook and Style Manual, 1998
edn., Am. Soc. Agronomy
- Scientific English, 1995,
by Robert A. Day
- Scientific Papers and Presentations, 1997, by Martha Davis
- Recommended: The Synonym Finder, 1986, by
J.I. Rodale
- Grades: based on assignments, which may be resubmitted
up to the end of the semester to increase the grade, and on presentations.
Each item is weighted equally.
- Assignments: listed in schedule below; due at the
start of the following week unless otherwise noted. Assignments
may be submitted by e-mail.
SCHEDULE
First Week (beginning January 21)
- Introduction to course; arrange meeting
time and place; communications software and reference books.
- Readings: preface and chapters 1-2 of Scientific
English; chapters 2-3 of Scientific Papers and Presentations.
- Homework assignments: (a) prepare list of
your communications software; (b) copy and turn in the
instructions to authors for the journal format you will be using
for your written presentation.
Second Week (beginning January 28)
- Library resources; titles; introduction
to professional ethics.
- Readings: On
Being a Scientist; chapters 3-4 of Scientific English,
chapter 12 of Scientific Papers and Presentations.
- Assignments: (a) prepare a list of your
"library keys"; (b) write a title for your written
and/or oral presentation for this course; (c) write a
professional code of ethics for yourself.
Third Week (beginning
February 4)
- Seminars; references.
- Readings: chapters 5-6 of Scientific English,
chapter 8, especially parts on “documentation” in Scientific
Papers and Presentations.
- Assignments: (a) begin your seminar evaluations;
(b) prepare a list of references using the "ASA Style
Manual" as a guide.
Fourth Week (beginning February 11)
- Abstracts.
- Readings: chapters 7-8 of Scientific English,
chapter 10 of Scientific Papers and Presentations.
- Assignments: (a) write an abstract of a
scientific manuscript (due February 25), (b) continue
seminar evaluations.
Fifth Week (beginning February 18)
- Reviewing.
- Readings: chapters 9-10 of Scientific English,
chapter 9 of Scientific Papers and Presentations.
- Assignments: (a) finish writing your abstract,
(b) start reviewing the abstract of another student (due
March 4).
Sixth Week (beginning
February 25)
- The nature of science
and scientific writing.
- Readings: "The Search for Meaning" by
J.R. Royce; chapters 11-12 of Scientific English, chapters
4-5 of Scientific Papers and Presentations.
- Assignments: (a) finish your review
of another student’s abstract, (b) begin the revision
of your abstract (due March 11).
Seventh Week (beginning
March 4)
- Special aspects of scientific
writing (organisms, soils, chemicals, equations, models).
- Readings: “The Science of Scientific Writing”
by Gopen and Swan; chapters 13-14 of Scientific English, chapters
6-7 of Scientific Papers and Presentations.
- Assignments: (a) finish the revision of
your abstract, (b) write paper segment using scientific
nomenclature.
Eighth Week (beginning March 11)
- Tables and figures.
- Readings: chapters 15-16 (part on commas) of Scientific
English, chapters 11 in Scientific Papers and Presentations.
- Assignments: (a) prepare a table of data
for publication, (b) if you have not started already,
begin writing your paper now (due April 1).
Ninth Week (beginning
March 18)
Tenth Week (beginning
March 25)
- Visuals for presentations
and posters, set schedule for presentations by students.
- Readings: chapter 16 (part on other punctuation)
of Scientific English, chapters 13-15 of Scientific
Papers and Presentations.
- Assignments: (a) finish writing your paper,
(b) start preparing your oral presentation with PowerPoint
slides.
Eleventh Week (beginning April 1)
- Presentations (slides and posters).
- Readings: chapters 17-19 of Scientific English,
chapters 16-17 of Scientific Papers and Presentations.
- Assignments: (a) prepare your oral presentation
with PowerPoint slides, (b) turn in the final title of
your presentation.
Twelfth Week (beginning April 8)
- Oral presentations by students.
- Assignments: (a) prepare your poster in
PowerPoint, (b) finish seminar evaluations.
Thirteenth Week (beginning
April 15)
- Oral presentations by
students.
- Assignments: (a) revise your paper.
Fourteenth Week (beginning
April 22)
- Oral presentations by
students.
Fifteenth Week (beginning
April 29)
- Poster presentations
by students; course evaluation.
- Assignments: (a) finish all uncompleted
homework.
May 10
is the last day to submit revised work for a higher grade.
Last updated: 23 January
2002.
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