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Writing Scientific Reports for MSc Biology
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:30:42
Abstract
This short course is designed to accompany MSc students in writing their first reports in English, providing input on scientific writing in English as well as feedback on drafts sections of the report.
Objective
Students will learn to: - Plan, draft, structure, and edit scientific reports - Produce reader-friendly sentences - Establish a clear and logical flow between sentences and paragraphs - Select formal vocabulary and use it in a generally accurate and correct manner - Choose and use generally suitable grammatical structures, punctuation, and identify areas in which further development is needed
Content
The course covers the process of writing reports in biology, helping students to focus on the language and communicative aspects of these reports. Topics covered include structuring sentences, paragraphs, and longer sections (introductions, methods, etc.); presenting and integrating non-textual elements such as graphs and tables; reviewing common grammar problems for advanced writers in English; and editing drafts and proofs. Sessions will consist of a mix of specialist input, group and pair work, and editing sessions. Students who attend this cous will turn in three sections of a report (approx. 500 words each) for feedback, revising these texts for a final portfolio that is graded.
Resources
Learning Materials (Links)
- Moodle course
- Moodle-Kurs / Moodle course
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Semesterly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 16
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Writing Scientific Reports for MSc Biology
**Course is offered in collaboration with Language Center of UZH and ETH Zuerich**
COMPULSORY: Attend the short introduction of approx 30 min. on 6.10.2025 at 16:15. Students who are not present are automatically excluded from the course!
Course time: 08:15 - 11:30
|
|
20 h semesterly |