Technical and Scientific Communication

Recommended Prerequisites

English (B1 level).

Teaching Methods

Module I covers general aspects of the writing and communication process and will be addressed using master classes to present the concepts, making abundant use of examples of writing and communication in the context of computer engineering research. Module II focuses on training the different types of writing (writing modes) using intensively peer review as an element of evaluating students' progress. Module III addresses non-verbal communication in the context of training different types of presentations. Videos and visualization of recordings made by students will be used to encourage discussion about the most effective strategies for presentations. A blended-learning strategy will be used throughout the course, complementing face-to-face classes with activities developed through distance tools. The assessment consists of small writing, oral communication and peer review projects carried out throughout the year and covering the entire subject covered in the course.

Learning Outcomes

This course develops students' communication skills in the context of research in informatics engineering, focusing on writing and oral presentation skills. Students must learn how to write and oraly present different types of scientific and technical documents in a convincing way, since communication in science is used, most of the time, to convice the reader and to make a point. Additionally, students will also learn appropriate methodologies for the development of scientific activities such bibliographic research, writing papers, reports, surveys / literature reviews, peer reviewing and thesis.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I. General aspects
1. Communication in scientific and technological research in the context of informatics
2. Paper submission, review and publication process
3. Argumentation and persuasion as key elements of technical and scientific communication
4. Use of images, graphs, diagrams in written and oral communication

II. Written communication
1. Writing process
2. Types of writing (argumentative, descriptive, narrative, ...)
3. Writing in informatics research (articles, surveys, thesis, ...)
4. Peer reviews

III. Verbal and non-verbal communication
1. Kinesthetic communication
2. Oral presentations
3. Group dynamics, teamwork and leadership.

Head Lecturer(s)

Scott Matthew Culp

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 100.0%

Bibliography

1) "The Insider's Guide to Technical Writing" by Krista Van Laan (Author), Joann T. Hackos (Foreword), XML Press, 2012

2) “The Classic Guide to Better Writing”, Rudolf Flesch, Harper Collins Pub., 1996.

3) “Writing Prose: Techniques and Purposes”, Oxford University Press, 1986.

4) "Engineered to Speak: Helping You Create and Deliver Engaging Technical Presentations" (IEEE PCS Professional Engineering Communication Series) by Alexa S. Chilcutt and Adam J. Brooks, Wiley, 2019