2024 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Entrepreneurship courses
Doctoral Technical Discussion D
- Academic unit or major
- Entrepreneurship courses
- Instructor(s)
- Mayumi Ando / Dan Ricinschi / Hazel Bantolino Gonzales
- Class Format
- Exercise (Livestream)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Wed
- Class
- D
- Course Code
- ENT.C651(LAC.C651)
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 17, 2025
- Language
- English
※ Courses with parentheses in the course number have different subject codes depending on the student's year of admission.
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Technical Discussion is mainly a visual and verbal communication course catering to the needs of doctoral students. The course provides basic skills and practical experience required for clear and concise oral presentations and discussions on scientific/technical topics in English. It is designed to help doctoral students confidently and orally express their thoughts on technical issues and concerns. In addition to providing information synthesized from relevant reference books, the instructors offer students practical advice from their own experience as scientific presenter and conference attendee. Lecture topics will be a step-by-step preparation in delivering a conference presentation that will include practical guidelines and techniques for an effective speech in public. The course aims to teach doctoral students "what to say", "when to say it" and "how to say it" in the context of describing their research in oral conference presentations as well as in other formal and informal meetings (poster presentations, scientific debates, seminars, etc.).
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students are expected to:
1. understand the importance of tehnical discussion for both their current and future career;
2. acquire and enhance the ability to verbally express their research-related ideas as well as give creative comments or suggestions on a technical note;
3. acquire and enhance the ability to speak confidently in English regarding technical issues; and
4. build a good rapport with their fellow students as audience.
Keywords
verbal communication, technical discussion, oral presentation, presentation skills
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Classes will be given for 7 weeks, on account on both Ookayama and Suzukakedai campuses, and will be based as much as possible on a match between the student's and instructor's major/specialized area of research (a selection process will take place if necessary). Classes will cover preparations for an actual technical discussion (mainly in the form of an oral presentation). Throughout the course, there will be opportunities for in‒class exercises and quizzes. Students may be assigned some topics for an oral presentation/debate based on which they will be evaluated, or they may introduce their own research work.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction to Oral Communication; Importance and Preparation of Conference Participation and Presentations | Understand the importance of Technical Discussion for science and technology majors, set scenario for conference presentation |
| Class 2 | Effective Opening of Conference Presentations; Essentials of Methodology | Make interesting and strong introduction to get audience' attention, check logical flow of methodology |
| Class 3 | Ways of Presenting Results; Discussion of Data; Preparation of Effective Visual Aids | How to prepare effective tables and figures, how to clearly discuss the results of experiments, and how to design and arrange slides properly |
| Class 4 | Effective Ending of Conference Presentations; Dealing with Questions and Answers (Handling Tough Questions) | How to end presentations (final content), manage Q and A and learn techniques for addressing tough questions from the audience |
| Class 5 | Special Techniques on How to Present Like a Pro (Delivery and Style of Presentations, Idea Linkers and Emphasizers, Video Viewing or Short Exercise) | Learn the proper language and gestures in presentation, make coherent and spontaneous explanations of slides, learn techniques in proper audience interaction, demonstrate examples |
| Class 6 | Students' Presentations in Class and Participation in Discussion | Deliver short oral presentations and practical application of techniques learned in the course |
| Class 7 | Students' Presentations in Class and Participation in Discussion | Deliver short oral presentations and practical application of techniques learned in the course |
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)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Suggested Books:
1) The Craft of Scientific Presentation (by Michael Alley)
2) Effective Presentations (by Jeremy Comfort)
3) Oral Presentations for Technical Communication (by Laura J. Gurak)
Evaluation methods and criteria
The achievement grade of the individual students will be evaluated mostly on the basis of oral project assignment(s). Class exercises and/or quizzes during some lectures will be considered in calculation of the final grade. In addition, active student participation in interactive group discussions during some lectures should also be expected to favorably reflect on the final grade.
Related courses
- Technical Writing
Prerequisites
Note that the doctoral students, who have already acquired one credit of Master's Technical Discussion as master students, cannot register this course.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
gonzales.h.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp ; dan.r.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Consultation Hours: by appointment (contact via e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment with the instructor)
Other
GA: GA1D