• Marc Matter, Berne, University of Applied Science; ZUW, University of Berne  [hikermarc70 (at) yahoo.com] 
  
• Jeannette Regan, Centre de langues, University of Fribourg; ZUW, University of Berne  [jregan (at) worldcom.ch]

The main aim of the course is to enable participants to improve their written scientific English to such an extent that their articles are considered by high-impact journals in their field.

The course takes a practical approach to writing, with all participants receiving individual help in correcting and re-structuring their own writing, which they start before the beginning of the course.

The course consists of three main components:

• Linguistic components of better writing, including areas like word order, text linkers, tenses, cohesion, scientific style, and text flow.
• Linguistic characteristics of research texts: the textual characteristics of abstracts as well as of introduction, results, discussion and methods sections.
• Self-help strategies for scientific writers, such as the effective use of model articles as well as books and online references in checking style, grammar, terminology and usage in specific fields

Participants submit 3-6 pages of an article or dissertation before the beginning of the course, and continue to work on their text while the course is taking place.

Dates:  Fridays 22, 29 October, 12 November 2010 (3 days)

Schedule: 8.55 - 17.00

Location: University of Neuchâtel, Faculté des sciences, UniMail, building D room D301-303

Credit points: 2.0 credit point (Communication)

Evaluation: Active participation during the 3 days including preparation (home work as described)

Information: Please contact Jeannette Regan [jregan (at) worldcom.ch] or Marc Matter [hikermarc70 (at) yahoo.com] or the doctoral program coordinator Christiane Bobillier

Travel expenses: participants of the doctoral program are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train (half-fare card, and 2nd class). Please send the original tickets (no copies, except for the general abonnement) with the reimbursement form  to Dr. Christiane Bobillier.  No reimbursement for bus, taxi or car travel expenses will be paid.

This course is open to all Ph.D. students, however priority is given to "Interuniversity doctoral program in organismal biology" participants until 31 August 2010.
Minimum number of participants: 8, maximum: 12. Course full.

This course is free, but the effective cost is approx. CHF 700.00 per person. Therefore a waiting list will be prepared to ensure that there are no empty seats.

Registration through the web only: closed.

Cancellation policy (CHF 200).