Course syllabus

Course-PM

LSP305 LSP305 Technical communication 2 lp2 HT20 (3 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Communication and Learning in Science. The course runs over two study periods (2 + 3). It forms part of Chemical Engineering 180 hp, year 2, and is partly integrated with the course Processes in Reactors in study period 3.

Contact details

Examiner: Magnus Gustafsson (magusta@chalmers.se)

Teachers: Kathy Strong Hansen (strong@chalmers.se), Charlie Keeling (keeling@chalmers.se), and Andreas Eriksson (andreas.eriksson@chalmers.se)

Course purpose

The course Technical Communication 2 aims to prepare students of Chemical Engineering for the communication intensive situation they meet in their work as engineers in Sweden or abroad, often in multilingual contexts where English is central to both written and spoken communication. The focus is on English language proficiency and proficiency in spoken and written English.

NOTE: THIS course-PM only covers study period 3 – previous LP2 syllabus information can be found here.

Schedule

The schedule in the table below provides an overview of each session, but there is more detailed information about each session in its individual page in the Course sessions in LP3 module. You may also consult TimeEdit. Note that, as with LP2, all course sessions will meet through Zoom (see the "Zoom" link in the page menu). If a compulsory activity is missed, compensation work must be completed. The oral presentation is compulsory for the presenters and for the assigned feedbackers (see the oral assignment information). If you fall ill and miss your presentation time, contact Derek Creaser, examiner for LKT331.

NOTE: feedback assignments to presentations will change if class size requires a 7th presentation group.

*If presentations run long, then starting time for compulsory element might be delayed for a few minutes.

Course literature

• EngOnline, (Links to an external site.) English grammar online tool 
• A learner’s dictionary, for example Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners or Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
  
• Chalmers Writing Guide
• Write Reports for Science and Engineering (WRISE); used in LP3

This list is a resource list, rather than a required reading list -- that is, you will not read everything in the above sources, only certain assigned parts. Other materials may be distributed via the course web page on Canvas.

Course design

During study period 3, the course adds to its focus on language proficiency by supporting students' work in giving presentations and writing reports for LKT331.

The course design and teaching is based on interactive (workshop-like) seminars as well  lectures. Outside of class and in class, the active participation of the students is expected and considered a requirement for successful completion of the course.

Changes made since the last occasion

The largest single change made to this course is that, due to necessary precautions taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all course sessions will take place via the Zoom platform. Additionally, the criteria for the assignment have been modified to better reflect the material that is evaluated in the exam at the end of study period 2. There has also been an added opportunity to receive instructor feedback in the form of a draft that is submitted for the purpose of instructor feedback during study period 2.

Learning objectives

After completion of the course, the student should be able to

• write correct and effective academic texts, e.g. a summary and/or a lab report, in good English, with regards to both language and style;
• critically read and analyze academic and scientific texts within the discipline of the education;
• present relevant scientific content in speech with the purposes of instructing colleagues, explaining and arguing for a particular solution in relation to a chemistry problem;
• give constructive criticism in order to improve the written and oral communication of colleagues through peer response.

Here is a link to the course information on Studieportalen .

Digital Tools

Use email to contact course teachers (see the email addresses at the top of this page, or use Canvas's "Inbox" function. Navigate this Canvas site primarily by using the modules (see "Modules" in the menu to the left), or use this site navigation aid.  Use Zoom to attend each course session. For a listing of each Zoom session, see the "Zoom" item in the menu to the left (check this menu item frequently, as Zoom technical issues may necessitate the deleting and re-creating of sessions).

Examination form

Technical Communication 2 is a graded course. In study period 2, only the written exam constitutes the examination. This means that the language proficiency component of the course can be assessed already after study period 2. See the LP2 information for more details.

Below is a table detailing the compulsory assignments for this course, how they will be assessed, and their deadlines (an earlier version of this was shared with you at the start of study period 2). All assignments must be completed and given a pass mark for a course grade 3 or higher. The assignments for study period 3 are outlined in greater detail on their respective assignment upload slot (click the "Assignments" link in the menu to the left). The assessment criteria for the abstract analysis, oral presentation and the laboratory report assignments are available on Canvas (see the assignment page for each assignment, which will include a link to the appropriate criteria). Please note that a revised teacher-commented version of a text cannot receive a grade higher than 3.

NOTE: All assignments from both study periods must be completed and given a PASS mark for a course grade 3 or higher. Assessment criteria for assignments are available on the respective assignment's upload site. Please note that a revised teacher-commented version of a text assignment cannot receive a grade higher than 3.