teaching with writing | browse by discipline
biological sciences
on
writing in biological sciences
(for use
in syllabi)
Writing is more important in the biological sciences than many people might expect. Scientists write to convey the methods and results of their research to their colleagues and to record their day-to-day work in the laboratory or in the field. They also write grant proposals to win funding for their research, and they write reviews of each other's work. While these types of writing might appear quite diverse, several key attributes tie together writing in biology. Writing in biology is an integral part of scientific discovery and analysis, and thus must be clear, concise, and logical. Even when they write only for themselves, biologists must convey information accurately and precisely—often in limited space.
sample
syllabi in biological sciences
biology 1131 | Principles of
Biological Science
two formal papers and informal writing
assignments
general college 1135 | Human Anatomy and Physiology
book report
general
college 2111W | Ecological
Evaluation of Environmental Problems
two papers: one research paper and one letter to a public
official
microbiology 4141 | Biology,
Genetics and Pathogenesis of Viruses
daily writing-to-learn activities
and formal writing assignments
business and technical writing
342 | Science Writing
news brief, interview, book review, and feature story (Rutgers University)
sample
assignments in biological sciences
biology 1101 | Short Moral Critique
case studies regarding ethical problems
biology 1101 | Final Draft: Morality from an Author's Standpoint
a short
moral critique, which becomes a researched argument
biology
435 | Description
and Interpretation
an experimental design process combining in-class group work
biology
435 | Evaluating
and Interpreting Information
role play, a debate, and a collaborative paper (Ohio University)
biology
435 | Educational
Exhibits for Young Adults
an opportunity to write for a public audience in a real world context (Ohio University)
biology
435 | Explaining Insect Metamorphosis at the Family
Dinner
explanation for a lay audience (Ohio University)
biology
435 | Taxonomic Classification
an argument analysis assignment (Ohio University)
sample responding handout in biological sciences
Checklist for the Final Draft
of your Research Report - Biology
an assessment checklist for students and/or faculty (A Short Guide to Writing about Biology)
sample
grading rubric in biological sciences
biology 1002 | Lab Report Grading Rubric for Biological Sciences
criteria including thoroughness, support, accuracy, and writing
research strategies in biological sciences
Quickstudy: Library Research Guide
Agriculture-,
Biology-, Ecology-specific Research Guide
Magrath
Library
The
Bio-Medical Library
CBE Documentation (University of Wisconsin - Madison)
additional writing resources for
instructors in biological sciences
Library Services for Faculty
Ecology
Writing Assignments (Cornell)
Scientific Writing Presentations
a series of PowerPoint presentations
on the elements of scientific writing created by Michael Alley,
from the Mechanical Engineering, Electrical, and Computer Engineering
faculty at Virginia Tech
Introduction
to Scientific Writing
Formatting
a Document in Scientific Writing
Avoiding
Common Errors of Grammar, Punctuation, and Usage
Language
in Scientific Writing
Structure
in Scientific Writing
Editing
for Managers, Scientists, and Engineers
Being
Concise
Illustration:
The Meshing of Words with Images
Making
Scientific Presentations
Proposals
in Scientific Writing
additional writing resources for
students in biological sciences
Center for Writing's SWS: Writing in Biology
Scientific
Reports (University of Wisconsin - Madison)
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