The course "Scientific Communication Strategies" focuses on preparing and delivering oral and poster presentations. It is designed to assist both individuals who have never done presentations before and more experienced students seeking to enhance their presentation skills. Additionally, the course covers the structure, organization, submission, and response to reviewers of scientific manuscripts.

The course is structured to cover the following topics:

• Reviewing the principles and practices of various modes and forms of scientific communication, distinguishing between scientific writing and science writing.
• Identifying the distinct objectives of different communication modes, including oral, poster, and written presentations.
• Understanding the essential steps for effective scientific communication.
• Utilizing library catalogues for keyword searching and other searching tools.
• Developing literature reading skills and fostering a critical approach with a focus on critical thinking.
• Addressing the issue of plagiarism, its definition, and methods to avoid it.
• Providing examples and guidance for delivering impactful oral presentations.
• Offering examples and guidelines for creating effective poster presentations.
• Explaining the structure of written presentations, encompassing Abstracts, Experimental sections, Results and Discussion, Conclusions, and References and Acknowledgements.
• Covering the essentials of writing an effective cover letter and addressing how to respond to reviewers.
• Instilling basic skills for critical evaluation.

The course aims to equip participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills necessary for successful scientific communication across various platforms and contexts.

Using the Dublin Descriptors, the learning achievements of a course on Scientific Communication Strategies can be described as follows:

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of scientific communication in different formats, including oral, poster, and written presentations.
• Explain the distinct objectives and audience considerations for each communication mode.
• Identify the essential components of effective scientific manuscripts, including proper structure and organization.

Application of Knowledge and Understanding:

• Apply acquired knowledge to create engaging and informative oral presentations, delivering complex scientific concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
• Develop well-structured and visually appealing scientific posters, conveying research findings and key messages concisely.
• Produce well-written scientific manuscripts, adhering to conventions and ensuring clarity and coherence in communicating research outcomes.

Critical Thinking:

• Critically analyze and evaluate scientific literature, identifying strengths and weaknesses in research papers and arguments.
• Apply critical thinking skills to assess the credibility and reliability of scientific information, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Communication Skills:

• Demonstrate proficiency in adapting communication style to suit different audiences, making scientific content accessible to both experts and non-experts.
• Effectively respond to reviewer feedback, showcasing the ability to address critiques and improve scientific manuscripts accordingly.

Information Management:

• Utilize library catalogues and keyword searching techniques to access relevant scientific literature for research and referencing purposes.
• Demonstrate awareness of plagiarism and employ appropriate strategies to avoid it, ensuring academic integrity in all communications.

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making:

• Employ problem-solving skills to organize and structure scientific information logically, supporting coherent arguments in oral, poster, and written presentations.
• Make informed decisions on the inclusion and presentation of research data and findings, optimizing the impact of scientific communication.

Autonomy and Accountability:

• Exhibit independence and responsibility in managing scientific communication tasks, such as literature reviews, presentation preparation, and manuscript writing.
• Take ownership of the learning process, seeking opportunities for continuous improvement in scientific communication skills.

Learning Skills:

• Engage in self-directed learning to expand knowledge of scientific communication practices beyond the course curriculum.
• Recognize the importance of ongoing development in scientific communication strategies to stay current with advancements in the field.

Through achieving these learning outcomes based on the Dublin Descriptors, course participants will be equipped to effectively communicate scientific knowledge, engage with the academic community, and contribute meaningfully to their respective disciplines.

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