Year
2019
Units
4.5
Contact
1 x 2-hour seminar weekly
Assumed knowledge
Minimum IELTS for RHD entry.
Course context
Enrolment in COMS9001 is available, by application, if you are admitted to a Research Higher Degree (RHD) i.e. Masters by Research or PhD. Please note, candidates who are enrolled in a PhD (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Education and Doctor of Public Health are unable to undertake the topic as it does not fit with their course rules.

After discussing the topic with your Principal Supervisor to ensure it fits within your study plan, you can apply to enrol in COMS9001 via the Ask Trim website Click here
Topic description
This topic helps students to develop their written and oral skills for use in higher degree research. It will develop their general and academic communication skills within the specific context of their course of study. The subjects covered include English grammar, syntax and idiom; academic and scientific writing; structure and argument; literature reviews; academic publishing; research proposals; editing and peer review. Students will be expected to learn how to edit their own and their peers' work.
Educational aims
This topic aims to:

  • develop the skills and understanding necessary for effective written communication in a research higher degre

  • introduce students to the diversity of communication styles for different purposes

  • emphasise the use of plain, concise, accurate English in writing documents for research higher degrees

  • revise and improve English usage, grammar, syntax, punctuation, composition and editing
  • examine and produce typical academic texts from a variety of disciplines

  • develop and enhance self-editing and peer review skills for written communication
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this topic students will be able to:

  • write in English to a pre-publication standard appropriate to their discipline

  • understand and respond to expectations of a research higher degree environment

  • edit their own and others’ written work

  • identify and correct grammatical and structural errors

  • plan and execute the written components of a research higher degree