Course syllabus

Jump to today

Course-PM

LSP305 Technical communication 2 lp2 HT19 (3 hp)

This 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) and Charlie Keeling (keeling@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 information about LP2 can be found here.

Schedule

Always consult TimeEdit for the most up-to-date schedule. .

 

DATE AND TIME TOPIC & ACTIVITIES FOR THE NEXT SESSION

24 January, 10:00-11:45

KSH

Introduction to LP3: general  information about how the course works in this study period.

Unity in texts: cohesion and coherence

WRiSE tool for chemistry report writing

Watch videos as preparation for oral presentation workshop.

Suggested: Read/do WRiSE tasks on introductions, methods, and references sections

31 January,  10:00-11:45

 

CPK

Introduction to laboratory report writing

Report sections: introduction, experimental, references

Information about abstract analysis, oral presentation, and oral peer review assignments

Draft your abstract analysis of this abstract

Draft introduction and methods sections of your report

Bring 2 paper copies of your abstract analysis for peer review/discussion on 14 February.

Suggested: Read/do WRiSE tasks on overall structure and summary

12 February, 13:15

CPK

Oral presentation 1 (takes place in LKT331)

 Suggested: Peer review another group's introduction and experimental sections (outside of class)

14 February, 8:00-9:45

 

KSH

Oral presentation 2

Peer response on abstract analysis 

Presenting the theoretical framework of the laboratory report

 Upload final abstract analysis to Canvas by 21 February

27 February, 13:15

KSH

Oral presentation 3 (takes place in LKT331)

Oral presentation 4 (takes place in LKT331)

28 February, 10:00 - 11.45

 

CPK

Oral presentation 5

Data commentary, presenting and discussing results, and conclusions of lab reports

 Bring 2 paper copies of the full lab report to 6 March for peer response.

6 March, 10:00 - 11:45

Peer review (10:30 -11:45) is compulsory

KSH/CPK

Oral presentation 6

Individual peer response on full laboratory report (compulsory activity)

 Revise laboratory report, help lab group as needed with their laboratory report

10 March, 8:00-9:45

CPK

Oral presentation: individual

Oral presentation 7

 Upload final laboratory report to Canvas by 9 March

Course literature

This list is a resource list, rather than a required reading list. 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

This portion of the class has shifted to provide more in-class time to workshop assignments, and some information has therefore been "flipped" for students to review outside of class.

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 syllabus on Studieportalen.

Examination form

Examination

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.

LP2 Assignment Ind./pair/group Assessment Weighting Deadline
Written exam Individual U, 3, 4, 5 40% 10 January
LP3 Abstract analysis Pair U, 3, 4, 5 20% 21 February
Report peer response Individual Pass/fail ___ 6 March
Laboratory report Pair U, 3, 4, 5 40% 9 March
Oral presentation Group Pass/fail --- TBA
Oral peer response Individual  Pass/fail ---  TBA

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 written assignments are available on the criteria page. Please note that a revised teacher-commented version of a text assignment cannot receive a grade higher than 3.

Course summary:

Date Details Due