Bruce 363, pg.

ENGLISH 363: Scientific Writing

Spring 2016 Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Leslie Bruce
Course: English 363 (16942 & 16943)
Meetings: MW 2:30-3:45 and Th 4-6:45

Office: UH-435
Office Hrs: M/W 1:30-2:30, and Th 3-4
Email: lbruce@fullerton.edu

Course Description
Earning a C (2.0) or higher grade in English 363 will satisfy the Universitys undergraduate,
upper-division writing requirement for certain majors. Please check with an advisor in your
major to determine if English 363 will satisfy the requirement for your major.
In this course we will enable you to write effectively in what remains of your undergraduate
career and beyond by building upon the critical reading, thinking, and writing experience you
gained in English 101. The sciences, like other academic disciplines, have developed specialized
forms of communicationlike grant proposals and review articlestailored to serve specific
social functions. A scientific discourse community emerges from the sharing of such
specialized documents. This class will initiate you into this discourse community, considering its
audiences, methods of communication, conventions, and values. It will do this in part by
developing your ability to analyze and employ a variety of scientific genres, including book
reviews for popular audiences, review articles for expert audiences, annotated bibliographies,
and presentations. In addition, you will record your thoughts and research in a scholars journal
and compile a portfolio showcasing your strengths as a scientific writer. While I will
occasionally give short lectures to explain a concept or to demonstrate a technique, most of our
class time will be spent writing, reading, talking, and thinking together in peer groups.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Category A.2, Written Communication
Student Learning Outcomes: After completing ENGL 363, students will be able to
1. Rhetorical Focus: Write formally and informally, in-class and out-ofclass, for a variety of scientific audiences and purposes.
2. Ethical Research: Using the appropriate majors customary citation
style, ethically cite and communicate information from a variety of
discipline-appropriate sources.
3. Persuasive Arguments: Compare, evaluate, synthesize, and
communicate carefully, objectively, and persuasively the relative
merits of alternative or opposing arguments, assumptions, and cultural
values. Integrate this evaluative work into a persuasive argument.
4. Organization and Focus: Organize, focus, and communicate ones
thoughts clearly and effectively to address a rhetorical situation.
Employ IMRAD organizational pattern where appropriate.
5. Academic Language and Design: Recognize, evaluate, and employ
the features and contexts of language and design that express and

Bruce 363, pg. 2

influence meaning and that demonstrate sensitivity to gender and

cultural differences.
6. Collaboration: Improve ones own and others writing skills through
the assessment and critique of texts.
Required Texts (available at Little Professor Bookstore on Placentia or online)
o Ann M. Penrose and Steven B. Katz. Writing in the Sciences: Exploring Conventions of
Scientific Discourse (Part of the Allyn & Bacon Series in Technical Communication),
3/E.
o Our class Titanium site. If you do not have a personal computer, be sure to visit a
computer lab on campus to access your CSUF email account and our Titanium site. I use
Titanium to post grades, to make announcements, to monitor your progress on
presentations, and to communicate with students. You will use Titanium to collaborate
with other students on a group writing task and presentation.
Course Requirements and Grading
You will receive a detailed assessment sheet or rubric from me for each assignment: these sheets
will tell you what youve done well, and where you should focus your energies in future tasks.
The assignments are described briefly below. I will post detailed prompts for each assignment
on our Titanium site well before the due dates. The assignments and requirements carry the
following weights:
Assignment/Requirement
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Two conferences with instructor

Book Review (popular audience)
Power Point Presentation
Review Article (professional audience)
Annotated Bibliography
Outcomes Portfolio
Electronic Scholars Notebook
Participation

Weight

Due Date (MW/Th)

5%
10%
10%
20%
10%
30%
10%
5%

Weeks 6 & 15
Mar 14th/17th
Week 8
Apr 20th/23rd
Apr 4th/7th
May 12th/13th
2-4x/semester TBA
Weekly

This course will be graded on a +/- scale. While I may apply a slight curve to my grades each
semester, grades typically conform to the following tentative scale: A = 100-90%; B = 89-80%;
C = 79-70%; D = 69-60%; F = 59% and below.
1) Two Conferences with Instructor
(total 5%)
Twice during the semester, you will meet with me about your progress as a writer. The
first conference will focus on your writing process, while the second will build your
revision and self-reflection skills.
2) Book Review

(10%)

Bruce 363, pg. 3

Evaluating a scientific trade book requires expertise. Evaluating that book for a popular
audience, however, requires more than familiarity with its scientific content, it also
demands a writer to define technical jargon, explain complex concepts, and employ an
engaging structure and style. After reading one of seven eligible trade books (see the
list on the prompt), you and a small group of classmates will review your chosen book
in a five- to six-page review.
3) Presentation
(10%)
Your book review team (see #2) will introduce the class to its chosen book in a 12-15minute presentation using Power Point. The presentation should include technical
definitions, conceptual explanations, illustrative figures, and of course, your evaluation
of the book. Your classmates will receive credit for evaluating your presentation.
4) Review Article
(20%)
Scientific journals often solicit review articles from experts in particular fields. Written
for a broad scientific audience, such reviews report the findings of studies on a specific,
contemporary subject of interest. You will find and read contemporary studies on a
subject of your choice. Afterward, youll report these findings objectively in a four- to
five-page review article using the citation style required by a journal (APA, CSE, etc.)
of your choice.
5) Annotated Bibliography
(10%)
Before writing your review article (see #4), youll compile a list of sources to be used in
the review. The annotated bibliography will summarize four of these sources and relate
them to each other.
6) e-Portfolio
(30%)
On the last day of class, youll submit an online outcomes portfolio that will allow you
to reflect upon, assess, and polish a few pieces of your work into a collection you think
best reflects your competence as a scientific communicator. Using Weebly as its
platform, this portfolio will contain work selected by you as representing both your
best works and your achievement of the outcomes listed on page one of this
syllabus. The detailed instructions posted on our Titanium site specify some minimum
requirements, including, for example, at least one full-length, fully revised assignment,
a Scholars Notebook entry, and a cover letter. A 500-750-word cover letter will justify
your selections and reflect upon what they demonstrate about you as a writer.
6) e-Scholars Notebook
(10%)
Keeping an electronic scholars notebook (SN) containing all of your reflective,
analytical, and process writing throughout the semester will help you record, guide, and
improve your writing and learning in this class. Youll submit your Scholars Notebook
two times during the semester as a Word or PDF document, and I may check it
periodically in class, as well.

Important Class Policies

Bruce 363, pg. 4

Participation and Attendance

o I allow three freebie absences (no excuse necessary) in this class. Each additional
unexcused absence up to seven will reduce your total semester grade by 1%.
o If you miss more than 25% of the class (eight or more unexcused absences), I drop
your semester grade a full grade.
o If you miss more than 30% of the class, I reserve the right to fail you.
o If you are absent, visit our Titanium site, where I will upload major assignments and
lesson plans. It is your responsibility to read these documents.
o If you arrive significantly late or leave significantly early, you will be marked absent
for half of the class meeting.
Classroom Management
Phones may not be used in class. You may use a laptop or tablet to take notes or write in class.
However, if you are using the device in a way that distracts others (checking email, texting,
chatting, web surfing, etc.), I will ask you to stop using it for the remainder of the semester.
Assignment Format
All assignments must be submitted to Titanium as Word or PDF documents. Submitting your
assignments in an alternative format will result in late penalties (see my late policy). All
assignments must follow the format required by the institution to whom youre writing (e.g.,
journal), and/or the citation style required by your discipline (ACS, APA, Chicago, CBE, etc.).
In the heading of each text you submit, you must include the name of the citation style you are
using. You must also provide a Works Cited or Bibliography list with every written
assignment.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: Academic dishonesty involves plagiarism (using someone
elses work as your own or without acknowledgement) and cheating; we will discuss both in
class. Depending upon the severity of the incident, the student will receive a failing grade on the
assignment or for the entire course; the incident will be recorded on the students CSUF records.
According to CSUFs Student Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism, plagiarism is:

The submission of material authored by another person but represented as the students
own work, whether that material is paraphrased or copied in verbatim or near-verbatim
form.

The submission of material subjected to editorial revision by another person that results
in substantive changes in content or major alteration of writing style and

Improper acknowledgment of sources in essays, papers, or presentations.

You can read more about plagiarism and writing a research paper at:
http://fdc.fullerton.edu/learning/Academic%20Integrity/student_guide_to_avoiding_plagia.htm
In addition, according to the Department of Biological Sciences,

Bruce 363, pg. 5

Cheating is the use of another's work as your own. Copying another student's
homework or lab report, looking at another student's exam, or using information from
another student to enhance your performance on a task are all examples of cheating.

Students who violate university standards of academic integrity will be reported to Sandra
Rhoten, Associate Dean, Dean of Students Office, Judicial Affairs and are subject to disciplinary
sanctions, including failure in the course and suspension from the university. University policies
are strictly enforced in this course. Please familiarize yourself with the academic integrity
guidelines found within the current student handbook or explained on the FDC website:
http://fdc.fullerton.edu/teaching/resources/Academic_Integrity/
Late Work
Late work will be penalized. All assignments must be submitted to Titanium as Word or PDF
documents. Submitting your assignments in an alternative format will result in late penalties. If
you know you will be absent, submit your assignment to Titanium before the due date. Papers
lose one grade level per day, including weekends (A, A-, B+, B, etc.). I DO NOT ACCEPT
PAPERS VIA EMAIL.
Extra Credit
If an extra credit assignment is distributed, the student can choose to complete or not complete
the assignment. If the assignment is distributed during the class period, students must be present
to take advantage it.
Administrative Policies
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: I am happy to discuss accommodations
you need to succeed in this class. If you have a disability or special need for which you
are or may be requesting an accommodation, please inform me and contact the Disabled
Student Services Office, located in University Hall 101, as early as possible in the term.
For more information, the Disabled Student Services Office can be reached by calling
(657) 278-3117 or visit their website at www.fullerton.edu/disabledservices/.
Withdrawals and Incompletes: be certain to check CSUFs guidelines and deadlines for
withdrawals. Incompletes can only be given to students who arrange a timeline to
complete their coursework with the instructor BEFORE the grading period is over.
Extra Help
1. Email Me
Email is the best method for contacting me. You can ask me questions or set up office hour
meetings with email, but do not send me papers or rough drafts via email. I require that
assignments be submitted to Titanium on the assignment due date (see Late Work). Also,
please be informed that I do not respond to email on weekends or holidays.
2. Office Hours
Take advantage of office hours to talk to me about ideas for your papers or assignments. I
am happy to answer questions that pertain to everyone during class, but please do not ask me

Bruce 363, pg. 6

questions about your individual paper at the end of class. I often have to run to my next
class, a meeting, office hours, and so on. Bring those questions to office hours.
3. The Writing Center
The Writing Center provides tutoring and workshops for students. If you feel you need help
with your writing, make an appointment with themtheyre there to help you! Writing
Center appointments can be made at http://fullerton.mywconline.com

Bruce 363, pg. 7

Recommended Online Resources

Oxford English Dictionary online (OED): On CSUFs homepage, log on to the portal
with your password, click on Library, then A-Z Databases, then scroll down to Oxford
English Dictionary. This is the authoritative source for definitions, etymologies, and
spellings.
Duke Universitys Scientific Writing Resource:
https://cgi.duke.edu/web/sciwriting/index.php
Grammar Bytes!: www.chompchomp.com. A humorously named site that will
diagnose your most common writing problems and then help you fix them with online
exercises.
Purdues OWL (Online Writing Lab). Resources for general and technical writing, as
well as exercises for writing more effective sentences. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Norton/Write website. Free resources for learning about and practicing effective
paragraph and sentence-writing skills
(http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/writesite/exercises/welcome.aspx) and
research and citation skills
(http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/write/writesite/exercises/welcome.aspx)
John Jay College of Criminal Justices E-Resources with Writing and Grammar
Tutorials: http://jjc.jjay.cuny.edu/erc/index_jjc.php
APA Style Tutorial: http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx
ACS Style: http://library.williams.edu/citing/styles/acs.php
CSE Style: http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch07_o.html
Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency on campus, students should follow the procedures detailed at
http://www.fullerton.edu/emergencypreparedness/ep_students.html.
Faculty Obligation to Meet Classes: In the event of an emergency (such as an earthquake) that
disrupts normal campus operations or causes the University to close for a prolonged period of
time, we will do our best to continue the class via Titanium, if it is available. Therefore, check
the class Titanium site and your CSUF email for messages and instructions as soon as possible
after such as event, and at least once a day. You can obtain emergency information about campus
operations on the CSUF web site, via the Fullerton Campus Operation & Emergency Closure
Line (657-278-4444) or the Irvine Campus Operation & Emergency Closure Line (657-2788676).