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

Learning outcomes

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.

Content

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)

Examinations and grades

Reviewing a Given Scientific Document, 1 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Reviewing a Given Professional Report, 1 credits (Code: A002)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Writing a Scientific Article, 4.5 credits (Code: A003)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Writing and Presenting a Management Summary, 1 credits (Code: A004)
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

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 determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

For an approved final grade on the course, an approved result is required for all examinations. The letter grades A-E are weighted into a final grade based on the examinations of the entire course.

Modes of assessment

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 modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

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.

Other provisions

The course is offered in English and therefore all examinations will be conducted in English.

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.

Reading list and other learning resources

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.