Courses in English

(2 SWS / 3 CP)

Academic Writing Skills focuses on fundamentals of writing—the building blocks you will need to compose clear sentences, coherent paragraphs, and academic texts. Through group sessions and individual text-feedback consultations, this semester course provides a refresher in pertinent English grammar and register. More specifically, Academic Writing Skills will help you to (1) develop your writing process, (2) structure your texts, (3) write well-focused paragraphs, (4) improve academic vocabulary and register, (5) write clear and accurate sentences, and (6) practice revision and proofreading skills. This course is offered in either a classroom setting or a blended-learning digital format.

(2 SWS / 3 CP)

Practicing Principles of Good Writing is a hands-on course in which we practice advanced academic writing skills and focus on editing and revision strategies. Because this course supports writers during all stages of the writing process, participants are encouraged to work on their drafts throughout the course. Through collaborative group sessions and individual text-feedback consultations, you practice strategies for writing and revising English texts that meet the expectations of supervisors, readers, and reviewers alike. More specifically, this course helps you to (1) manage the writing process, (2) apply a dynamic and reader-oriented style to your drafts, (3) write concisely and accurately, and (4) practice peer-editing, revising, and proofreading strategies. This course is offered in a blended-learning digital format.

(2 SWS / 3 CP)

Designed for students of science and engineering, Scientific Writing for Bachelor and Master Candidates aims to help participants produce texts that follow the stylistic conventions of Anglophone scientific writing. Students will be familiarized with techniques and strategies to improve their vocabulary, sentence structure, and paragraph flow. The main sections of a thesis will be analyzed for distinctive linguistic features. Scientific Writing for Bachelor and Master Candidates will help you to (1) write effectively, (2) link ideas to make a text flow smoothly, (3) write well-focused paragraphs, (4) structure your paper effectively, (5) punctuate correctly, and (6) avoid common errors and unintentional plagiarism. Feedback will be provided individually. This course is offered in either a classroom setting or a blended-learning digital format.

(2 SWS / 3 CP)

Designed exclusively for students affiliated with the NREV / ROI bachelor program, Scientific Writing and Presenting aims to familiarize the participants with the basic conventions of writing and presenting in English. In this course, you will practice the skills required for summarizing and presenting scientific content. Scientific Writing and Presenting will help you to (1) write effectively, (2) enliven your writing by using strong action verbs, (3) link ideas to make a text flow smoothly, (4) write well-focused paragraphs, (5) punctuate correctly, (6) use appropriate register, (7) avoid common errors and unintentional plagiarism, and (8) prepare well-structured presentations.

(1.3 SWS)

Designed exclusively for CDS members, Scientific Writing for Doctoral Candidates Module 1 focuses on micro-level writing, i.e. writing at word and sentence level. More specifically, this two-day workshop will help you to (1) recognize principles of scientific writing, (2) use appropriate register, (3) avoid common errors, (4) punctuate correctly, (5) write well-structured sentences, (6) write dynamically using strong verbs, and (7) avoid the overuse of the passive voice. Feedback on submitted drafts will be provided in individual writing consultations. This workshop is offered in either a classroom setting or a blended-learning digital format. Please note that the digital format involves self-paced learning.

(1.3 SWS)

Designed exclusively for CDS members, Scientific Writing for Doctoral Candidates Module 2 focuses on writing at paragraph level. More specifically, this two-day workshop will help you to (1) manage the writing process, (2) write well-focused and engaging paragraphs, (3) organize paragraph flow, (4) use appropriate tenses, and (5) indicate the novelty and significance of your work. Feedback on submitted drafts will be provided in individual writing consultations. This workshop is offered in either a classroom setting or a blended-learning digital format. Please note that the digital format involves self-paced learning.

(1.3 SWS)

Designed exclusively for CDS members, Scientific Writing for Doctoral Candidates Module 3 focuses on macro-level writing, i.e. writing at manuscript level. More specifically, this two-day workshop will help you to (1) handle the submission process; (2) follow guidelines on ethical writing; (3) structure research papers, i.e. write effective introductions, methods, results, discussions and conclusions; (4) create effective titles; and (5) craft powerful abstracts. Feedback on submitted drafts will be provided in individual writing consultations. This workshop is offered in either a classroom setting or a blended-learning digital format. Please note that the digital format involves self-paced learning.

(0.7 SWS)

The success or failure of a grant proposal may depend on factors other than the quality of the research project. The quality of the writing in your funding application may tip the balance one way or the other. This one-day workshop will help you to (1) develop strategies for crafting a strong grant proposal; (2) write concisely; (3) improve the readability of your application; (4) write effective project abstracts; and (5) meet reviewer expectations by highlighting the credibility, novelty, significance, and relevance of your research. Feedback on submitted drafts will be provided in individual writing consultations. This workshop is offered in either a classroom setting or a blended-learning digital format.

(1.3 SWS)

Editing and proofreading skills are vitally important for academic writers. In Editing Strategies for Academic Writers, you will work on your own and other participants’ drafts and practice strategies that will help you edit texts to their full potential. More specifically, this two-day workshop will help you to (1) develop a systematic approach to proofreading, self- and peer-editing; (2) eliminate frequent errors; (3) practice revision and proofreading skills; (4) craft well-structured texts that have a sense of order and direction; and (5) write as clearly, concisely, and consistently as possible. Feedback on submitted drafts will be provided in individual writing consultations. This workshop is offered in either a classroom setting or a blended-learning digital format.

(1.3 SWS)

Using authentic examples from peer-reviewed scientific publications, Scientific Writing for Postdoctoral Researchers is designed to equip participants with strategies in line with the expectations of readers, reviewers, and editors alike. More specifically, this two-day workshop focuses on practical writing techniques that will help you to (1) write clearly and concisely, (2) avoid common errors (3) link ideas effectively, (4) structure well-focused paragraphs, (5) craft effective titles and abstracts, (6) formulate to-the-point research questions, and (7) highlight the novelty and significance of your work. Feedback on submitted drafts will be provided in individual writing consultations. This workshop is offered in either a classroom setting or a blended-learning digital format. Please note that the digital format involves self-paced learning.

(1.3 SWS)

Editing and proofreading skills are vitally important for academic writers. In Editing Strategies for Academic Writers, you will work on your own and other participants’ drafts and practice strategies that will help you edit texts to their full potential. More specifically, this two-day workshop will help you to (1) develop a systematic approach to proofreading, self- and peer-editing; (2) eliminate frequent errors; (3) practice revision and proofreading skills; (4) craft well-structured texts that have a sense of order and direction; and (5) write as clearly, concisely, and consistently as possible. Feedback on submitted drafts will be provided in individual writing consultations. This workshop is offered in either a classroom setting or a blended-learning digital format.

(0.7 SWS)

The success or failure of a grant proposal may depend on factors other than the quality of the research project. The quality of the writing in your funding application may tip the balance one way or the other. This one-day workshop will help you to (1) develop strategies for crafting a strong grant proposal; (2) write concisely; (3) improve the readability of your application; (4) write effective project abstracts; and (5) meet reviewer expectations by highlighting the credibility, novelty, significance, and relevance of your research. Feedback on submitted drafts will be provided in individual writing consultations. This workshop is offered in either a classroom setting or a blended-learning digital format.