English 324: Writing in the Sciences, 3 credits
Instructor: Dale Sullivan
Office: 322G Minard, 701.231.7144
dale.sullivan@ndsu.edu
Office Hours: 2-3 M-F
Course Description: Study and practice in written conventions of the sciences for
academic, scientific, and public audiences.
Course Objectives: Students will be able to:
 Discuss social and ethical dimensions of scientific research and communication
 Analyze scientific genres and their practical and situated applications
 Write summaries or abstracts of scientific publications
 Write scientific prose effectively in situated scenarios
 Write about scientific topics for specialized and public audiences
 Document sources according to standard practice
 Reason effectively in discussing significance of research
 Present scientific information orally
 Use visual support effectively in written and oral presentations
Required Text: Ann M. Penrose and Steven B. Katz, Writing in the Sciences:
Exploring Conventions of Scientific Discourse, Second Edition. Allyn & Bacon, 2004
Assignments and Grading:
Tests, Quizzes, Exercises: 20% (midterm, final, unannounced quizzes)
Written Work: 70% (Summary 5%, Academic Empirical Research Report 10%, Major
Project Proposal 5%, Progress Report on Major Project 5%, Introduction and
Literature Review for Major Project 5%, Methods and Results for Major Project
5%, Completed Major Project 20%, Peer Review 5%, Proposal for Final Project
5%, Final Project Documents 5%)
Oral Presentation of Final Project: 10%
A= 90-100%; B=80=89%; C=70-79%; D=60-69%
Americans with Disabilities Statement: Any students with disabilities or other
special needs who need special accommodations in this course are invited to share these
concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible.
Academic Dishonesty: All work in this course must be completed in a manner
consistent with the NDSU University Senate Policy, Section 335: Code of Academic
Responsibility and Conduct. http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/335.htm
Tentative Schedule:
Week One
Wed. 8/24 Intro to class
Fri. 8/26 Discussion of Chapter 1: Science as a Social Enterprise
Week Two
Mon. 8/29 Discussion of Chapter 2: Forums for Communication in Science
Wed. 8/31 Discussion of Chapter 10: Research on the Ulcer Bug, with reference
to relevant chapters earlier in the book
Fri. 9/2 Discussion of Chapter 10: Research on the Ulcer Bug, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in the book
Summary Due
Week Three
Mon. 9/5 No Class
Wed. 9/7 Discussion of Chapter 10: Research on the Ulcer Bug, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in the book
Fri. 9/9 Discussion of Chapter 10: Research on the Ulcer Bug, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in the book
Week Four
Mon. 9/12 Discussion of Chapter 11: Research on Predatory Algae, with
reference to relevant chapters earlier in the book
Wed. 9/14 Discussion of Chapter 11: Research on Predatory Algae, with
reference to relevant chapters earlier in the book
Fri. 9/16 Discussion of Chapter 11: Research on Predatory Algae, with reference
to relevant chapters earlier in the book
Academic Empirical Research Report Due
Week Five
Mon. 9/19 Discussion of Chapter 11: Research on Predatory Algae, with
reference to relevant chapters earlier in the book
Wed. 9/21 Discussion of Chapter 11: Research on Predatory Algae, with
reference to relevant chapters earlier in the book
Fri. 9/23 Discussion of Chapter 6: Writing Research Proposals
Week Six
Mon. 9/26 Discussion of Chapter 12: Research on Supernova, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in the book
Wed. 9/28 Discussion of Chapter 12: Research on Supernova, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in the book
Fri. 9/30 Discussion of Chapter 12: Research on Supernova, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in the book
Proposal for Major Project Due
Week Seven
Mon. 10/3 Discussion of Chapter 12: Research on Supernova, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in the book
Wed.10/5 Discussion of Chapter 12: Research on Supernova, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in the book
Fri. 10/7 Discussion of Chapter 12: Research on Supernova, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in the book
Week Eight
Mon. 10/10 Discussion of Chapter 13: Research on the Oracle, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in book
Wed.10/12 MIDTERM
Fri. 10/14 Discussion of Chapter 13: Research on the Oracle, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in book
Progress Report on Major Project Due
Week Nine
Mon. 10/17 Discussion of Chapter 13: Research on the Oracle, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in book
Wed.10/19 Discussion of Chapter 13: Research on the Oracle, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in book
Fri. 10/21 Discussion of Chapter 13: Research on the Oracle, with reference to
relevant chapters earlier in book
Week Ten
Mon. 10/24 Discussion of Chapter 3: Reading and Writing
Wed.10/26 Discussion of Chapter 4: Review Research
Fri. 10/28 Introduction and Literature Review for Major Project Due, Peer
Review in Class
Week Eleven
Mon.10/30 Discussion of Chapter 7: Documenting Procedures
Wed.11/2 Discussion of Chapter 9: Ethics
Fri. 11/4 Methods, Results, and Conclusion Due, Peer Review in Class
Week Twelve
Mon. 11/7 Review of chapters 3 and 4, Research Reports and Documentation
Wed. 11/9 Final Draft of Major Project Due
Fri. 11/11 No Class
Week Thirteen
Mon. 11/14 Discussion of Chapter 5, Preparing Conference Presentation
Wed. 11/16 Discussion of Chapter 8, Communicating with Public Audiences
Fri. 11/18 Proposal for Final Project (popular science) Due—discussion in class
Week Fourteen
Mon. 11/21 Discussion of visual presentations (Posters and Power Point)
Wed. 11/23 Discussion of visual presentations (Posters and Power Point). Peer
Review Due.
Fri. 11/25 No Class
Week Fifteen
Mon. 11/28 Presentations
Wed. 11/30 Presentations
Fri. 12/2 Presentations
Week Sixteen
Mon.12/5 Presentations
Wed.12/7 Presentations
Fri.12/9 Presentations. Final Project Documents Due.
Finals Week: FINAL