Course syllabus
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
- EngOnline, 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); primarily for LP3
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 |
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