Course Science Writing Toolkit

The course N/T617/03 Science Writing Toolkit is being offered by the Graduate School of Natural Sciences/GSNS and Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Aarhus University, spring 2026.

Course parameters:
Level of course: PhD course
No. of contact hours/hours in total incl. preparation, assignment(s) or the like:12/18
Capacity limits:20

Objectives of the course: The aim of this course is to equip students with a strategy to write efficiently and the tools they need to deliver a high quality, high impact scientific paper. It is designed in a workshop style and as a condensed version of the Science Writing and Communication course, focusing on how to write.

Learning outcomes and competences:
Students should be able to:

• Understand the intent and content of components of a typical scientific research paper
• Apply a toolkit of writing guidelines to clearly, cohesively deliver their research
• Investigate writing strategies and identify personal approaches to writing

Compulsory programme:
Outline exercise prior to course, participation in lectures and workshops, and completion of short assignments

Course contents:

• One week before lectures, students will receive an assignment on outlining- an overview of their purpose, some examples, and guidelines for writing one. Students should complete the assignment and bring it to the first lecture.
• Day 1-2: We will cover the rules to write by for high impact and writing efficiency, new ways to looks at the parts of a scientific paper, their purpose and how to write them, and developing a writing strategy including outlining
• Day 3 will be focused on review and feedback on a short assignment

Prerequisites:
This course will be a starter course (though having some idea of a topic or some writing in progress is always helpful!).

Name of lecturer:
Ashley Pearcy Buitenwerf

Type of course/teaching methods:
Lectures, workshops, assignments

Literature:
Hofman, AH 2014. Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals and Presentations.

Heard, SB 2022. The Scientist’s Guide to Writing: How to Write More Easily and Effectively throughout Your Scientific Career.

among others

Course homepage:
Will be managed through correspondence with the lecturer

Course assessment:
Attendance threshold: 100% and completion of assignments

Special comments on this course:
The first day of this course covers similar material as the first day of the longer Science Writing and Communication course, focusing on the tools needed to understand and write a scientific paper.

Time:
1 full day, followed by ½ day and later another ½ day to check assignments together

Place:
Aarhus University

No-show fee/late-cancellation fee:
Course participants on our transferable skills courses, who do not show up at the course or cancel their course participation after the course cancellation deadline, will be required to pay a no-show fee/late-cancellation fee. Exceptions may apply in certain cases, such as reported illness to the course administrator/course team. In case of late cancellation due to illness, we may require a doctor’s note from you.

The no-show fee/late-cancellation fee is DKK 1,200 (the price of one ECTS). The fee has been introduced due to many late cancellations, thus preventing people from the waiting lists to have a seat at the courses.

Registration: 

• Participation in the course is without cost for PhD students from Aarhus University

Due to an Agreement between Danish Universities that came into force as of 1 January 2011, participants from other universities than Aarhus University will have to pay DKK 1,200 per ECTS. In principle this also applies to external parties, but exemption can be granted under specific circumstances. Please note that you will be required to provide payment details in the course registration module. Your registration will not be considered valid if this information is missing or incorrect.

Please be aware that your registration for the course not necessarily equals your admission for the course. You will receive an e-mail after the registration deadline regarding whether you are admitted for the course or if you are registered on the waiting list. Please note that seats are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Course dates:

• 29 January 2026 09:00 - 15:00
• 30 January 2026 09:00 - 12:00
• 05 February 2026 09:00 - 12:00