LC-1311 - Online Academic Writing Skills for MSc students (w), Lecture, 24.2.2025-7.4.2025

Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

- Recognise the strategies and elements that enhance clarity and audience-friendliness in written English academic communication

- Apply these strategies and elements in written documents related to their field of study

- Distinguish between formal and informal styles of communication and vary the style according to the target audience text type

- Apply a process approach to the development of written work

- Document sources properly and select strategies to avoid plagiarism

Credits: 2

Schedule: 24.02.2025 - 07.04.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Anya Räsänen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period): C1

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course is intended for students in master's programs who are not yet in the process of writing their master's theses in English. It introduces written communication principles and strategies that are applicable to academic and research purposes. Students write on a topic from their own field of study based on previous (BSc) studies or current projects/courses in their Masters' studies. To enhance readability of the texts, students apply organisational patterns, such as problem-solution, as well as other writing principles.

    Throughout this course, students work individually, in pairs, and in small groups to develop their writing skills. Furthermore, students give and receive constructive feedback on their work and revise it accordingly. Depending on the course variation (blended or fully online), the feedback and group work may be completed either face-to-face or online.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    - Preparatory assignments (60 %)

    - Final written paper (40 %)

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    54 h (independent online study as well as whole group and/or small group meetings)

     

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Provided online by the teacher. 

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn I
    2024-2025 Spring IV
    2025-2026 Autumn I
    2025-2026 Spring IV

    Registration:

    Open to Master's students from CHEM, ELEC, ENG, and SCI. Students are considered for admission in order of highest number of credits.

    The course will be organized if there are at least 10 participants. The maximum group size is 20.

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof