PSYC 471 Research Writing in Neuroscience
College: Arts and Sciences
Department: Psychological and Brain Sciences
Type: W
Status: Approved
REPORT ON CERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: PSYC 471
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/21 to 9/1/25
We recommend that PSYC 471 Research Writing in Neuroscience be certified as a writing (W) course. We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 83% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:20; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
PSYC 471 is a one-credit course that focuses on writing. Writing includes an annotated bibliography, an introduction section, a methods and planned analyses section, and a discussion section. Students get formative feedback on three drafts each of the introduction assignment, of the methods and results section, and of the discussion assignment. On the first draft, they get peer comments, and on the second draft, they get instructor comments. Instruction is provided via lecture, reading, and modeling. Topics include summarizing and organizing scientific articles, how to write each of the assigned sections, common writing mistakes, effective editing, and understanding audience.
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/21 to 9/1/25
We recommend that PSYC 471 Research Writing in Neuroscience be certified as a writing (W) course. We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 83% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:20; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
PSYC 471 is a one-credit course that focuses on writing. Writing includes an annotated bibliography, an introduction section, a methods and planned analyses section, and a discussion section. Students get formative feedback on three drafts each of the introduction assignment, of the methods and results section, and of the discussion assignment. On the first draft, they get peer comments, and on the second draft, they get instructor comments. Instruction is provided via lecture, reading, and modeling. Topics include summarizing and organizing scientific articles, how to write each of the assigned sections, common writing mistakes, effective editing, and understanding audience.