Credits: 1
Schedule: 23.04.2019 - 31.07.2019
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Kenneth Pennington
Teaching Period (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
I, II, III, IV, V
Learning Outcomes (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to
• recognise the organisational and language features specific to the major divisions of a master’s thesis in engineering disciplines,
• employ metatextual strategies to produce clear, reader-friendly text,
• apply advanced features of cohesion, grammar and punctuation common to academic writing in a master’s thesis,
• assess common weaknesses in academic texts and revise to improve readability
Content (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Participation in this course requires that you have already started writing your Master’s thesis. Over a six-month period, you are guided through the writing and revision process for three chapters in your thesis: the introduction, the literature/theory review and one chapter of your own choice. In order to become familiar with the structure, function and language features specific to different parts of an MSc thesis, you will analyse different parts of sample MSc theses and research articles from your own field. During the course, you will receive feedback on parts of your three chapters. The language of these revised versions is then commented on by the teacher, and re-submitted by the student for final evaluation. Online web-based exercises introduce students to strategies for organising different sections of the thesis, as well as advanced features of style, cohesion, grammar and punctuation.
Working Life Skills: Knowledge of research in own field, Skills in foreign languages, Information retrieval skills, Written communication, Self-awareness, Critical thinking skills, Analytical skills, Life-long learning skills, and Self-confidence.
Assessment Methods and Criteria (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
- Analysis Tasks 30%
- Online exercises 30%
- Revisions in three thesis chapters 40%
*Integrated and 1 - 2 cr versions of this course may follow alternate assessment criteria.
Workload (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Face-to-face meetings 3 - 24 h + independent work 57 - 78 h
Study Material (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
To be announced at the onset of the course.
Substitutes for Courses (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Kie-98.1320 Writing for Master’s Students (3 cr)
Course Homepage (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=LC-1320
CEFR level (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
C1 or higher
Prerequisites (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Kie-98.1114, LC-1114, Kie-98.1115, LC-1115, LC-1110, LC-1116 (w), LC-1117 or LC-1310
Grading Scale (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Pass/Fail
Registration for Courses (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
WebOodi
Students are considered for admission in order of highest number of credits
Further Information (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
This course is open only to those students whose MSc thesis topic has been accepted by their department (in English).
Please note that the course will be organised if a minimum of 10 people register for it.