State of the Art in Molecular Life Science

Aim

The course aims to provide knowledge of scientific communication and skills to communicate state-of-the-art molecular life science research. A chosen life science research project or field, with a focus on protein science, is to be studied and disseminated to variable audiences and with different objectives. A major focus is on scientific communication, argumentation, writing and visualization. After the course, the student will:

• be able to summarize and discuss a top field or research project within the molecular life sciences after careful analysis of scientific literature
• be able to do computer-based visualization of proteins structures
• master a variety of communication strategies intended for different audiences
• be able to communicate life scientific findings in a well-structured manner, both orally and in writing.

Content

A research project or field within the molecular life sciences is studied in-depth by use of the scientific literature. Analysis of results, synthesis of results and formulation of hypotheses are explored.

Examples of projects/fields that could be covered, with an emphasis on protein molecules, include infectious diseases, mechanisms of cancer, drug discovery, neurological diseases, and mechanisms of aging.

Different methods for disseminating results and conclusions are studied. Examples of topics covered during the lectures and seminars are scientific argumentation, different text types (press release, scientific paper, scientific review article), molecular visualization, rhetoric, layout, and body language. Scientific publishing and publications are important parts of the course. The students also conduct prepared oral presentations.