Communication Skills for Physicists (CSfP | SPA5000)

Year: 2 | Semester: A | Level: 5 | Credits: 0

Course organiser: Prof Martin Dove | Course deputy: Dr Theo Kreouzis

Aims:

This module is designed to address weaknesses historically identified in the written and oral communication skills of SPA undergraduates. In addition to formal lectures the module includes exercise classes where the students can practice their short written and oral tasks as well as a small number of tutorials centered on the essay component.

Outcomes:

Academic Content Students will be able to summarise a piece of scientific research or other writing using their own words (in a paragraph or two) using language appropriate to the readership. Students will be able to provide brief criticism of a piece of scientific research or other writing. Students will be able to orally present scientific research using language appropriate to the audience. Students will produce a short essay on a broader physics topic. Disciplinary Skills Students will identify the assumptions, measurements and calculations underlying a piece of scientific research or other writing. Students will be able to criticise the assumptions, measurements and calculations underlying a piece of scientific research or other writing. Students will be able to draft professional quality cover letters for postgraduate study or employment applications. Students will write on a broader physics topic using a number of different sources, summarising and criticising the physics as appropriate. Attributes To explain and argue clearly and concisely. To use communication technologies competently. To engage with the professional world. To connect information and ideas within their field of study. To develop effective spoken and written English.