Informatics, Professional and Academic Communication, Second Cycle, 7.5 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

After completed studies, the student should:
1) Have a good understanding of principles of writing scientific documents and professional reports for both academic and non-academic audiences
2) Have the ability to analyze scientific documents based on methods presented in the course
3) Have the ability to analyze professional reports based on methods presented in the course
4) Have skills in communicating research based findings orally to both academic audiences and non-academic audiences based on methods presented in the course
5) Have skills in communicating research based findings in summarized writing form to both academic audiences and non-academic audiences based on methods presented in the course.

Main content of the course

The course contents consist of the following modules:
1) Introduction to principles of academic and professional writing. This module includes lectures on principles of academic and professional writing. (Adressess goal 1)
2) Methods for reviewing scientific documents. This module includes lectures on methods for reviewing scientific documents. This module also involves the review of a given scientific document. (Adressess goal 2)
3) Methods for reviewing professional reports. This module includes lectures on methods for reviewing professional reports. This module also involves the review of a given professional report. (Adressess goal 3)
4) Training in writing of scientific documents. This module involves the writing of a scientific article based on principles and skills of academic writing. (Adressess goal 5)
5) Methods and applying for communicating research based findings orally and in summarized writing form. This module includes lectures on methods for communicating research based finding effectively orally and in summarized writing form. This module also involves the presentation of research based findings in both speech and writing. (Adressess goal 4 and 5)

Teaching methods

The employed teaching methods are anchored in flipped classroom and case-based learning. The flipped classroom means focusing on exploring topics in greater depth and creating meaningful learning opportunities in class time, while content delivery is made outside of the classroom. Case-based learning means that scenarios from real-world examples are used to as a point of departure for in class activities and assignments.

In this course these teaching methods are implemented through discussions and seminars, supervision, student presentation and reading of research texts.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Reviewing a Given Scientific Document, 1 credits (Code: A001)
Examined through an individual written report. (Examines Objective 2)

Reviewing a Given Professional Report, 1 credits (Code: A002)
Examined through an individual oral presentation. (Examines Objective 3)

Writing a Scientific Article, 4.5 credits (Code: A003)
Examined through an individual written report. (Examines Objective 1 and Objective 4)

Writing and Presenting a Management Summary, 1 credits (Code: A004)
Writing and presenting a management summary based on a given document. Examined through an individual oral and written presentation. (Examines Objective 1 and Objective 5)

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2019-01-15, ORU 2019/00107), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Reviewing a Given Scientific Document
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Reviewing a Given Professional Report
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Writing a Scientific Article
Grades used are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Writing and Presenting a Management Summary
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

In order to receive the grade Pass, the student must be awarded Pass in all examination parts. In order to receive the grade Pass with Distinction, the student must be awarded Pass with Distinction in Writing a Scientific Article and Pass grade in all other examination parts.

The final grade will be translated into the ECTS grading scale.

Specific entry requirements

Informatics, Basic Course 30 Credits, 30 Credits at intermediate course level within Informatics and successful completion of at least 15 Credits at advanced course level within Informatics. Alternatively Business Administration, Basic Course, 30 Credits, Business Administration, Intermediate Course, 30 Credits and successful completion of at least 15 Credits at advanced course level within Business Administration. Alternatively 30 Credits within G1N in Computer Science and 45 Credits within G1F in Computer Science.

The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

Remaining tasks should be completed as soon as possible according to the teacher's instructions.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Lee, Allen S. (1995)
Reviewing a Manuscript for Publication
Journal of Operations Management, (13)1, 6 pages, [Report]

Peat, Jennifer; Elliot, Elizabeth; Baur, Louise & Victoria Keena (2002)
Scientific Writing : Easy When You Know How
BMJ Books, ISBN/ISSN: 0-7279-1625-4, 292 pages

Sorensen, Carsten Working Paper No. 121
This is not an article: Just Some Thoughts on How to Write One (Revised version of working paper with same title)
Department of Information Systems, The London School of Economics and Political Science, 16 pages, [Report]

Additions and Comments

Additional literature might appear.