Research Projects and Scientific Writing

Introduction:
The course is designed to give under-graduate students the skills necessary to prepare professional materials for presentations and publication, to write assignment, seminar and internship report, synopsis and thesis, articles and prepare oral talks. Topics covered in this course include: searching the scientific literature; scientific writing style; writing research and review based papers, proposals, projects, and thesis components; preparing scientific presentations; presentation of data; using visual aids; and using word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Distinguish different types of research and how research material might be effectively presented

2. Prepare scientific and technical presentations and papers.

3. Format documents and presentations to optimize their visual appeal and technical worth or through personal presentations to an audience.

Books and Readings:

1. Awan, J. A. 2009. Scientific Presentations. Unitech Communications Faisalabad, Pakistan.

2. Khalil, S. K., and Shah, P. 2007. Scientific Writing and Presentation for Crop Sciences. Higher Education Commission Islamabad, Pakistan.

3. Anderson, J., Durston, B. H., and Poole, M. 1992. Thesis and Assignment Writing. Wiley Eastern Ltd. New Delhi, India.

Lessons Plan:

Week	Topics and Readings
1	Types of scientific presentations
2	Collection of literature
3	Collection of literature: printed sources
4	Collection of literature: electronic sources
5	Managing literature
6	Initiating write up
7	Writing scientific documents
8	Writing scientific documents: synopsis
9	Writing scientific documents: research proposal
10	Writing scientific documents: articles
11	Writing scientific documents: references
12	Writing scientific documents: internship report
13	Oral presentations
14	Oral presentations
15	Oral presentations / Internship reports
16	Oral presentations / Internship reports

Research Projects:

Exercises in collecting literature from different sources on assigned topics. Organizing and analysis of collected material. Writing synopsis/proposal, short communication, Delivering oral presentation.

Assessment Criteria:

Mid term: 30 Marks

Sessional: 20 Marks

Project: As per requirements (from sessional marks)

Presentation: As per requirements (from sessional marks)

Participation: As per requirements (from sessional marks)

Final exam: 50 Marks

Mid term exam in 9th week of semester

Final Term exam in 18th week of semester