2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Computing Department of Computer Science Graduate major in Energy Science and Informatics
Academic Writing B
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Energy Science and Informatics
- Instructor(s)
- Jeffrey Scott Cross
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- ESI.E611
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Apr 3, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course uses a blended/task-based learning approach to teach how to publish a paper in top-tier peer reviewed journals to Energy Science and Informatics, GEDES, science and engineering doctoral students. The course covers numerous topics but focuses on how to write a research paper and conference abstract. The course lectures will be delivered on-line using ZOOM and taught in an OOkayama campus classroom.
Course description and aims
This course teaches non-native English language speaking science and engineering graduate students how to write a paper in peer reviewed journals and write/review a conference abstract. The goal for the students is to advance their academic writing skills and publish in top-tier journals.
Student learning outcomes
実務経験と講義内容との関連 (又は実践的教育内容)
The instructor worked in Japanese industry for 14 years as a researcher where he gained various experiences related to technical communications, doing research/development, intellectual property and writing patents.
Keywords
academic writing, scientific publish, paper, journal, communication
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
course materials are delivered in a lecture and students do homework assignments as well as participate in group work exercises related to writing
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Course introduction, course sign-up, syllabus, course questionnaire and Canvas LMS. | introduction to academic writing and course description |
| Class 2 | What is intellectual property, prior art, how to write a patent and patent claims? | intellectual property, patents |
| Class 3 | academic publishing overview, journal impact factors, why is it importance to publish in top-tier journals, case-study vs scientific method | academic publishing, case-study vs. scientific method, research question |
| Class 4 | Writing papers for top tier journals and academic journals including exercises | publishing in top-tier journals |
| Class 5 | Writing papers for top tier journals and academic journals including exercises | publishing in top-tier journals |
| Class 6 | Graphical presentation of data and results, graphical abstracts, AI writing tools | graphical presentation of research data, graphical abstracts |
| Class 7 | journal peer review process, online manuscript submission procedures, writing rebuttals to reviewers, copyrights, thesis, proposal, course evaluation | writting rebuttals to reviewers and editors, thesis, proposal |
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 the online course material.
Textbook(s)
course instruction material will be prepared by the instructor and available online
Reference books, course materials, etc.
1. "Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students", Stephen Bailey, Routledge, 3rd ed. 2011.
2. "Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded", Joshua Schimel, Oxford University Press, 2011.
3. "Science Research Writing: A Guide for Non-Native Speakers of English", Hilary Glasman-Deal, Imperial College Press, 2009.
4. "The Craft of Research (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)"
Booth, Wayne C., University of Chicago Press, 3rd ed., 2008.
5. "A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers", Kate L. Turabian, 8th Ed., University of Chicago Press, 2013.
6. Academic and Business Writing, edX MOOC from UC Berkeley,
https://www.edx.org/course/academic-business-writing-uc-berkeleyx-colwri2-3x#.VRSvXVr6lRo
Evaluation methods and criteria
Course Grade Assessment: participation in groupwork, written assignments and quizzes. Late homework will be accepted after the submission deadline but assessed after taking into account a 30% point reduction or penalty.
Related courses
- ESI.E610 ： Academic Writing A
Prerequisites
Touch typing (typing without looking at your fingers on the keyboard) is an important skill that is needed for this class, since real-time in-class group writing will take place in class. Advanced English language (conversation, reading, writing and listening comprehension) skills are recommended. Attending academic writing A is recommended but not required.
Other
Students who are ready to submit a manuscript to a journal for publication, write abstract for a conference, or present their results at an international conference will benefit the most from enrolling in this class.