The objectives of the course are:

to understand and use the basic rules of English grammar

to develop reading and comprehension skills in dealing with scientific texts including scientific abstracts

to speak about and discuss topics of a general as well as a scientific nature at a B1 level according CEFR criteria (Common European Framework of Reference)

to speak about and discuss topics in the field of the biomedical/ biotechnological sciences

 to promote a correct pronunciation

A B1 level of proficiency will serve as a foundation for future studies of the English language, the knowledge of which has become pivotal in the field of the sciences. Lessons will be conducted entirely in English.

The following grammar topics be will presented during the course, approximately in the following order:

Grammar
1. The Simple Present
2. The Present Continuous
3. The Simple Present vs. Present Continuous
4. The Past Simple of regular and irregular verbs
5 . The Past Continuous
6. used to vs. be /get used to
7. The Present Perfect
8. The Present Perfect vs. Past simple
9. The Present Perfect Continuous
10. The Past Perfect
11. The Past Perfect Continuous
12. The Future: Present Simple, will, be going to, and Present Continuous
13. The Conditional forms (First, Second, and Third Conditional forms)
14. Passive Voice
15. Reported Speech
16 . Modal verbs
17. The interrogative forms and ‘question tags'
17. The indefinite article and the definite article (and its omission)
18. Countables, Uncountables, and Quantifiers
19. The comparative and superlative forms
20. Common verbs followed by ‘to' and/or ‘-ing' forms
22. Connectives
23. The position adverbs in English
24. Prefixes and suffixes

The following specific topics regarding Use of English will be covered during the course, not necessarily in the following order.

Use of English

Saying and working with numbers in English
make vs. do vs. take vs. have
Common collocations in English
Punctuation
Common forms in Scientific English (passive voice, phrasal verbs, reporting verbs, etc..)

A detailed study of the scientific abstract and its structure will be introduced approximately half way through the course.
 
The Scientific Abstract and Its Structure:

Content and structure will be discussed at a B1 level according to CEFR standards

Various types of texts will be read in class, often accompanied by relative audio files and exercises. Videos (with English subtitles) will be viewed and discussed in class throughout the course. Topics wil be of a biomedical/biotechnological nature.

None.

The student must show to have a knowledge of English grammar, be able to use it correctly, and have a command of the language at a B1 level according to CEFR standards.

The student must demonstrate an understanding of written and oral content both of a general and sector-specific nature (biomedical/biotechnological topics) at a B1 level according to CEFR standards.

The student must have an understanding of the structure of scientific abstracts and be able to discuss their content at a B1 level.

The student must show a command of English sufficient to talk about topics of a general and scientific nature (those topics covered in class) at a B1 level according to the CEFR.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

All materials used will be posted on a weekly basis on the Blended Learning platform.

Teaching

Lectures accompanied by exercises in class. Lessons will be entirely conducted in English.

Attendance

non mandatory

Course books

Raymond Murphy (2012) English Grammar in Use 4th Ed. (with key and CD pack: Cambridge University Press)

Materials Booklet (Dispensa)

This booklet will contain various types of reading materials in the biomedical/biotechnological field, grammar notes, notes on scientific abstracts and their structure, sample abstracts, texts and respective audio files with exercises, a list of  links to the videos used in class, and a list of websites to help the student develop necessary language skills.

Other materials may be used during the year.

ALL MATERIALS WILL BE UPLOADED ONTO THE BLENDED-LEARNING PLATFORM

Assessment

Students must pass a written multiple choice test on grammar and Use of English before taking an oral language assement exam to confirm a B1 level knowledge of English. The oral assessment will be based on topics discussed in class and in the 'dispensa'.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

The program and teaching materials are the same for both attending and non attending students.

Attendance

non mandatory

Course books

Raymond Murphy (2012) English Grammar in Use 4th Ed. (with key and CD pack: Cambridge University Press)

Materials Booklet (Dispensa)

This booklet will contain various types of reading materials in the biomedical/biotechnological field, grammar notes, notes on scientific abstracts and their structure, sample abstracts, texts and respective audio files with exercises, a list of  links to the videos used in class, and a list of websites to help the student develop necessary language skills.

Other materials may be used during the year. All materials will be posted regularly on the Blended -Learning website.

Assessment

Students must pass a written multiple choice test on grammar and Use of English before taking an oral language assement exam to confirm a B1 level knowledge of English. The oral assessment will be based on topics discussed in class and in the 'dispensa'. All topics discussed in class are based on materials that can be found in the 'dispensa' or posted on the Blended-Learning Platform.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Attending classes is strongly advised.

Students must write to the professor using the email address provided by the University of Urbino. The 'subject' of the email must be BIOTECHNOLOGY.