KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: to learn what and which are search engines and databases that are useful for the preparation of a scientific text and for literature search. To learn what are the various components of a scientific text. To learn what are the different types of scientific texts and their objectives.
APPLIED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: to learn how to use search engines and databases, to acquire skills for the correct use of key commands, fields, keywords, and filters to do a scientific literature search. To learn how scientific metrics work and how to use them. To learn how to build a scientific text gradually, from the basic elemtns of words, going through the building of sentences, paragraphs, sections, and chapters. To learn how to identify keywords and how to create them.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: to learn how to evaluate critically scientific works and their sources to build a bibliography that is correct, relevant and appropriate. To learn how to distinguish the various components of a scientific text based on content and format.
COMUNICATION SKILLS: To learn how to write a scientific work (ranging from a lab report, through the thesis, to a scientific article). Therefore to learn how to compose the various parts of a scientific text: title, authors, keywords, abstract, introduction, methods, results and discussion, conclusions, references, appendices.
LEARNING SKILLS: to understand how to grasp the content and quality of a scientific text based on the elements discussed and analysed during the course, such as the source, the title and the abstract. To learn how to use scientific metrics (impact factor, citations, etc.) to learn which ones are the more appropriate and relevant sources for a scientific literature search (type of journal, databases, etc.). To learn how to identify the different components of a scientific text to learn the content.

Basic English level.

Databases and search engines (use of SciFinder, Scopus, Google Scholar, ChemSpider, Pubmed, etc.). Comparison between databases and search engines: pros, cons, limits and context of each one of them. Literature search and metrics in science (H index, impact factor, citations, etc.) and their meaning, importance, and limitations. Structure and key features of scientific works (ranging from a lab report, through the thesis, to a scientific article). Single components: title, authors, keywords, abstract, introduction, methods, results and discussion, conclusions, references, appendices; how to write, what to write, appropriate length). How and where to insert graphs and images. Reasons for writing a thesis, content of a thesis, what an examiner looks for in a thesis. Time required to write a thesis and time management for the writing of a thesis. Importance of scientific exchange and feedback with the supervisor, importance and mode of revision for a scientific text. Plagiarism and original content of a scientific text. Appropriate wording and vocabulary for a scientific text. Correct building of a scientific text through chapters, sections, paragraphs, and sentences. Font types and appropriate choice of font types for the different components of a scientific text. Examples of theses titles and abstracts, their critical assessment and opportunities for their improvement.

Successful Lab Reports: A Manual for Science Students
by Christopher S. Lobban, MarLa Schefter. Cambridge University Press, 1992. Scientific Writing
by D. R. Lindsay. CSIRO Publishing, 2011.

Databases and search engines (use of SciFinder, Scopus, Google Scholar, ChemSpider, Pubmed, etc.). Comparison between databases and search engines: pros, cons, limits and context of each one of them. Literature search and metrics in science (H index, impact factor, citations, etc.) and their meaning, importance, and limitations. Structure and key features of scientific works (ranging from a lab report, through the thesis, to a scientific article). Single components: title, authors, keywords, abstract, introduction, methods, results and discussion, conclusions, references, appendices; how to write, what to write, appropriate length). How and where to insert graphs and images. Reasons for writing a thesis, content of a thesis, what an examiner looks for in a thesis. Time required to write a thesis and time management for the writing of a thesis. Importance of scientific exchange and feedback with the supervisor, importance and mode of revision for a scientific text. Plagiarism and original content of a scientific text. Appropriate wording and vocabulary for a scientific text. Correct building of a scientific text through chapters, sections, paragraphs, and sentences. Font types and appropriate choice of font types for the different components of a scientific text. Examples of theses titles and abstracts, their critical assessment and opportunities for their improvement.

Interactive methods - moodle2. Use of search engines and databases. Slides. Changes may be introduced in response to the COVID19 emergency ans related safety protocols, in that case they will be communicated on the websites of the Department, the Degree, and of the teaching module.

Brief written report as a model of a scientific work, bibliography included. The evaluation will be of approval if the student demonstrates to understand what was taught and how to apply it.