Discovering Science: Science Writing

University of Leeds via FutureLearn

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Details

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Provider

FutureLearn
Pricing

Free Online Course (Audit)
Languages

English
Certificate

$54.00 Certificate Available
Duration & workload

2 weeks, 5 hours a week
Sessions

On-Demand
Level

Beginner

Found in

Part of

Discovering Science

Overview

Without science writing, science could not really exist. By recording experiments and publishing the results of studies and discoveries, scientists can share their important work, and find an engaged audience.

Science writing takes many forms: from press releases to video scripts. You’ll learn about different types of science writing, and look at the factors which you need to consider to write a story.

You’ll discover how to gather accurate information and relevant opinions as well as tips on how to conduct a successful interview.

The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in science; no previous knowledge or experience is required.

If you are working in the field of science and would like to practice and improve your science writing skills, this course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course you will have achieved 10 hours of CPD time.

Syllabus

Exploring the science story

Welcome
What is science writing?
Preparing your story
Writing your story
Summary

Science in the news

About Week 2
Reporting
Video stories
Your news story
Summary

Reviews

4.5 rating, based on 28 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Discovering Science: Science Writing

Michael William Baker

I found this course invaluable to my technical writing generally. I have had articles published in learned journals but mainly of an historical nature. ( English Timber Cartel in the Napoleonic Wars) I have completed the Technical Writing Course and that also proved invaluable. I have discovered my fiction writing is poor so I shall keep at Science/ Technology writing . A most challenging course very well structured and presented, all are to be congratulated.
Best wishes, Mike Baker.
Anonymous

Thank you for sharing and guiding us in this free course with valuable content.
I have learned a lot!!!!
William Twaddell

Coming from a strong background as a university Academic Writing teacher, I already knew some of the same shared basic information presented here. Deciding what the subject is, who is the target audience, their level of understanding are, I believe,…

Coming from a strong background as a university Academic Writing teacher, I already knew some of the same shared basic information presented here. Deciding what the subject is, who is the target audience, their level of understanding are, I believe, commonly important in many kinds of writing.
Some differences I learned are how to structure a press release (which I think will be really helpful) and to consider the angle before I begin writing. (Missed this one on the test!).
Also the instructions about the video and video script, and ideas about animation, were most helpful. Receiving a peer-review about my efforts, and being able to contribute to others, really did help me think about how to improve my writing.
Many thanks to the Professor, everyone involved at the University of Leeds, and my fellow budding science writers.
I want the t-shirt!
Adeline G Khaw AiGuat

I personally feel it's an interesting and informative course for those who likes to explore writing. There are a few methods mentioned in the course materials that we can apply in our own writing . I appreciate that. However, due to my personal constraints at the moment, I haven't yet able to share my writing here at the comments section. I would try to do so when ready.. thank you very much to FutureLearn, University and Prof.. sincerely, Adeline G Khaw AiGuat.
Anonymous

This course is an eye-opener for any one who aspires to be a science writer. I enjoyed studying the many techniques taught to write interesting and attention grabbing science stories. In particular, I had to use all the concepts taught in handling the two assignments given viz Hydrualic Fracking in US and Glyphosate banning in Europe. It was really challenging and I have no hesitattion to recommend the course to anyone interested in science writing.
Anonymous

Scientists do so many experiments and they get results . Finally, their products come to the common people's hand and the people want to understand what they made and how they did it . The explanation of science to the people from all the field is called science writing . It is the best course to understand the writing of scientific stories , news and video making . Very useful . "Understand and make them understand".
Юлия

Благодарю за содержательный и интересный курс. Организация курса была очень удобной для усвоения. Курс был достаточно насыщен актуальной информацией. Очень понравился курс. Познавательно и полезно. Спасибо!
Anonymous

I really liked the course, it provides an accurate overview of science writing,

science communication, and science journalism. Short exercises are also there which are quite helpful in learning and that too free of cost. Thank you very much University of Leeds for designing such a good course in science writing, it was a wonderful experience.
Anonymous

Another good course in the Discovering Science series from Leeds University. It is not a requirement to be a scientist to follow the course (although it may help) but rather the course teaches communication at various levels and that is important, whatever the subject matter. The course also helps to learn about researching a topic.
Anonymous

I joined this course to get a quick idea on how to write about science. I found it very crisp, concise and quite useful to get me started. The end of week and course tests were particularly useful and I found the exercises made me think and revise my learning.

Well done Future Learn! You never disappoint!
Anonymous

The course has opened my mind to an area I wasn't even thinking I could explore and even perform well. It was perfectly delivered within just two weeks. I already have a plan to start a science blog. Thanks to this course and the educators.
Anonymous

I have completed 'Science Writing' and really liked it. It was brief and to-the-point. It was designed efficiently. I felt like I learned a lot in small amount of time. It has motivated me to join other courses from 'Discovering Science'.
Anonymous

I really enjoyed the course. It give a solid background for scientific writing. I practiced the reading of news and scientific stories. Also, I practiced writing a blog.
it provide alot of sources to catch during learning
Anonymous

I liked this course as it really opened my eyes as to how to write on a science topic which I had no idea about. I am glad that this is offered as I am looking forward to doing chemistry full time to help me along on my project.
Anonymous

Great course on how to research and construct a science article, I would recommend this of anyone just starting, or thinking about science writing, or anyone who is just interested and wants to know more. Thanks.
Anonymous

Hello

I'm Divyanshi Triguna from India.

Science writing is excellent platform to grow up ourselves. This one gave me a new experience about writing because I like writing very much and I enjoyed this course.
Anonymous

I have almost completed the course and find it interesting, with lots of useful information, practical tips and exercises. I would recommend to to everyone who is interested in the basics of science writing.
Anonymous

I enjoyed this course - I have nearly finished and it encouraged me to take the time to think about the writing as well as considering content in areas I wouldn't normally. Thank you Uni Leeds.
Anonymous

Very useful. I am a communication professional with no background on Science and the course gave me a lot of clues on how to address science topics in educational videos, articles and interviews.
Asmaa Ali

I completed this an effective course. I was lucky to join it as it provides me with main knowledge and good examples for scientific writing apart from the academic scientific rules.