Course Syllabus

LECTURES: Tuesdays, 2:30 – 4:00 pm, Clark 331, 100% face-to-face https://canvas.mit.edu/courses/33099

INSTRUCTORS :
Andrew Cross, across@whoi.edu, (508) 289-3749
Susan Lang, sqlang@whoi.edu, (508) 289-3660
Office hours as needed, please contact either or both instructors.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this class is to help you improve your skills at presenting scientific research. Producing interesting, novel, and rigorous scientific results is a primary focus of your scientific career. The impact of this hard work can only be realized by effective communication with peers, colleagues, editors, funding agencies, and the public. The main purpose of this course is for you to gain practical experience presenting complex ideas to a friendly and supportive group. We will also provide practical exercises to improve different parts of your scientific presentations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the semester, successful students will be able to:
1. Design figures, slides, and other visual materials to effectively represent complex information in an appropriate way for distinct audiences
2. Prepare and deliver oral presentations that effectively transmit complex information to distinct audiences
3. Implement good design when preparing a poster
4. Demonstrate active listening and the ability to provide constructive feedback to peers
5. Demonstrate ethical awareness and be able to apply ethical principles in scientific research, publishing, and presentations

GRADING

*Points will be awarded based on a rubric filled out by students not presenting

SCHEDULE

USEFUL READINGS:
• Crameri et al., (2020) The misuse of colour in science communication. Nature Communications 11: 5444
• Williams, R. (2015) The Non-Designer’s Design Book, 4th Edition. Peachpit Press

ATTENDANCE: This class is designed to be highly interactive and relies on dialog among you, your peers, and the instructors. Our expectation is that students will attend every class period. In the rare cases where you cannot attend, please notify the instructors in advance. Missing more than one class may result in a grade penalty.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Please contact the instructors if you are having problems keeping up with course assignments. Note, if you need disability-related accommodations, we encourage you to meet with us early in the semester. If you have not yet been approved for accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at sds-all@mit.edu.

MENTAL HEALTH: As a student and as a human, you may experience a range of challenges that can interfere with learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, substance use, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may impact your ability to attend class, concentrate, complete work, take an exam, or participate in daily activities. In the Office of Graduate Education (OGE) (https://oge.mit.edu/development/gradsupport/), GradSupport provides consultation, coaching, and advocacy to graduate students on matters related to academic and life challenges. If you are dealing with an issue that is impacting your ability to attend class, complete work, or take an exam, you may contact GradSupport by email at gradsupport@mit.edu or via phone at (617) 253-4860.

ENVIRONMENT: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are committed to maintaining a positive working and learning environment. We strive to foster a sense of community and consider the classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities, national origins, gender identities, sexual orientations, religious and political affiliations – and other visible and nonvisible differences. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment for every other member of the class. If this standard is not being upheld, please feel free to speak with us.

RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENTS: An important component of this course is developing your presentation skills, which includes practice and also getting feedback from your peers. Critique (not criticism) of presentations is an important part of your development. We will encourage students to give feedback, both on strong points and potential areas of improvement on the presentations given in class. Importantly, delivering feedback requires a respectful and supportive environment.
• We are here to learn together
• Everyone is encouraged to participate
• We will treat each other with respect
• We strive to have open-minded and compassionate discussion