2024 Faculty Courses School of Engineering Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Graduate major in Human Centered Science and Biomedical Engineering
International Writing
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Human Centered Science and Biomedical Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Tetsuya Kadonosono / Craig Takeuchi
- Class Format
- Lecture (Others)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Wed
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- HCB.C541
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course is for students interested in writing in English for purposes of academic communication. The instructor is a native English speaker with a lot of experience in research in academia and industry, and writing/editing of scientific papers. S/he will help you develop practical writing skills in science. The course will be challenging but relaxed in a small class setting. A semi-private lesson allows a high level of personal attention and support by the instructor.
The course is aimed at graduate students who have intentions of working internationally using English.
Course description and aims
At the end of the course students can write: 1) complete descriptions of people, objects and places, 2) descriptions of procedures and processes, 3) instructions on how to do something or how to make something , 4) write descriptions using dimensions and specifications, 5) write a resume or curriculum vitae for a job application, 6) write an acceptance or rejection email.
Keywords
science writing, E-mail, CV
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Students are notified in class about the topic of the lecture, asked about the frequency with which they use writing techniques interesting for research, asked to give examples, are grouped into pairs to discuss problems, practice writing, discuss as an entire class, and are assigned homework.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Go through course introduction; class rules and orientation | Students learn to write introductions, emails and describe their backgrounds. Resumes and CVs will be examined. |
| Class 2 | Introduction to academic writing, plagiarism, citing references, and paraphrasing. Paragraph structure and coherence will be introduced. | Students learn about academic writing (e.g., writing conventions and language preferences), using references, citations, and paraphrasing. |
| Class 3 | Writing methods and vocabulary for giving descriptions using physical parameters, properties, and characteristics such as dimension; color; shape; composition. | Students learn methods and vocabulary to write descriptions of objects or living organisms using characteristic features with specialized vocabulary. |
| Class 4 | Writing methods to give descriptions to compare objects using physical features and characteristics; detailed descriptions using physical characteristics and properties. | Students learn to use physical features to compare and contrast general features and characteristics of people, animals, and objects. |
| Class 5 | Writing methods to give descriptions of procedures or processes to make, use, or repair things | Students learn to write process descriptions and instructions found in user manuals and laboratory procedures. |
| Class 6 | Writing methods for describing a table, graph, or figure. | Students learn to write commentaries to give descriptions of tables, graphs, and diagrams. |
| Class 7 | Writing fundamentals for summarizing and giving definitions. Fundamentals for writing background and introductions for research papers will be introduced. | Students learn to summarize and describe background and write an introduction for a research paper. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Not determined yet
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Not determined yet
Evaluation methods and criteria
Homework assignments, in-class writing exercises, mid-term and final exams
Related courses
- LST.A505 ： LST Academic Writing 2
Prerequisites
None
Other
The maximum number of students in a class is limited to 20. If there are many applicants, you may not be able to take the course.