James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2000

[Contents]

BR1238:03

Technical English 1

Townsville

26 lectures, 26 hours workshops. First semester and flexible delivery.

Available to students admitted to the Tertiary Access Course.

Staff: Ms S Moore.

Students will develop reading, writing and research skills relevant for academic study in science and related fields. Critical literacy skills will include the understanding of technical and scientific genres and terminology, scientific method (inductive and deductive thinking and informal logic). The interpretation and conversion of graphic, statistical, mathematical and tabular information will be applied in writing exercises. Formal academic writing skills will include: the appropriate use of grammar, syntax referencing and bibliographic formats. Note-taking, paraphrasing and summarising skills will be followed by the writing of essays, proposals and short research reports.

Learning Objectives:

  1. read and analyse a range of academic texts containing mathematical, graphic and tabular information;
  2. critically review texts to reveal the underlying logic and premises upon which their arguments are constructed;
  3. use appropriate syntax, grammar and vocabulary in writing academic essays, proposals and reports;
  4. write technical descriptions related to specific areas of science-related study;
  5. develop library, internet and empirical research skills;
  6. design and complete and write up a short research project using surveys and questionnaires;
  7. present a seminar report which includes the use of visuals and the fielding of questions;
  8. identify and use appropriate in-text referencing and bibliographic conventions required for field of study.

Assessment by short essay (critique)(20%); graphical information and numeracy exercise (15%); log book of process exercises (20%); research report (25%); tutorial participation and seminar presentation (20%).


[Contents]