JAB04 English for Biology IV

Faculty of Science
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Anjuli Pandavar, PhD (seminar tutor)
Luis Carlos Rodriguez, M.Phil. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Eva Čoupková, Ph.D. (assistant)
Mgr. Daniela Dlabolová (assistant)
Mgr. Monika Ševečková, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Anjuli Pandavar, PhD
Language Centre, Faculty of Science Division – Language Centre
Contact Person: Lenka Pavlíková
Supplier department: Language Centre, Faculty of Science Division – Language Centre
Timetable of Seminar Groups
JAB04/01: Tue 11:00–12:50 C15/227, A. Pandavar
JAB04/03: Thu 11:00–12:50 C15/227, A. Pandavar
JAB04/04: Tue 13:00–14:50 J5, L. Rodriguez
Prerequisites
Knowledge of English - B2 level CEFR ** NOTE THAT JAB04/01 IS DIFFERENT TO JAB04/02 AND /03. Please read the descriptions for each class carefully. For further information, feel free to contact anjuli.pandavar@mail.muni.cz **
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with language competences (B2/B2+ levels of CEFR) within the context of their study programme with the focus on transferable skills, in particular on presentation skills.
Learning outcomes
After completing this course the student will be able to:

understand authentic biological texts/lectures
identify the main ideas
formulate the main ideas
interpret the information
present biological topics using basic presentation techniques
summarize a biological text
compare and contrast
use arguments in a discussion on a biological topic (defend one´s opinion, opose, support arguments of a colleague)
present one´s research using advanced presentation techniques

After successfully completing JAB04/02 or JAB04/03, the student will be able to:
• work independently on substantial tasks in their discipline for sustained periods
• make sound academic judgements
• apply the English language spontaneously and flexibly to any academic situation in their discipline
• hypothesise, link, infer, summarise and synthesise in any situation
• speak boldly and confidently in public
• use different modes of discourse (narration, description, exposition and argumentation) appropriately and effectively
• be comfortable with employing creativity in their scientific work
• demonstrate most of the B2 skills identified in CEFR
• demonstrate a deeper understanding of themselves as learners
• Understand portfolios (how to design, compose, present and defend them)
• Reflect on their work and themselves as a matter of habit
Syllabus
  • Osnova kurzu:
  • - odborná témata z biologie
  • - obecná témata (potřebná slovní zásoba)
  • Scientific method
  • Presentations
  • Handedness
  • Genetic research
  • Human genome project
  • Stem cells
  • Genetic diseases
  • Eugenics
  • Panel discussion
  • JAB04/02 and JAB04/03 ONLY (for JAB04/01, see above)
  • 1. Understanding the semester, your role, the teacher's role and how you will be assessed. Understanding independent use of English. Forming teams, selecting preferred project topics and understanding the tasks.
  • JAB04/02
  • 2. First 3-week creative project commences (20-minute podcast); Learning to work independently. The role of feedback and reflections; drafts and revisions
  • JAB04/03
  • 2. 10-week creative project commences (any one of the following: a series of three 20-minute podcasts; a 15-minute video; a 32-page e-book; or a 5-page website with embedded media); Learning to work independently. The role of feedback and reflections; drafts and revisions
  • JAB04/02 and JAB04/03
  • 3. Modes of discourse (Rhetorical modes) and how they are applied in scientific communication 4. Professional interviews, reports and professional correspondence 5. Working with sources: relevance and reliability, summarising and synthesising
  • JAB04/02
  • 6. Creative project presentation and peer feedback; Second 3-week creative project commences (32-page e-book)
  • JAB04/03
  • 6. Creative project Stage 1 review and peer feedback; Creative project Stage 2 commences
  • JAB04/02 and JAB04/03
  • 7. Graphic communication of data and information 8. Effective grammar: sentences and paragraphs; clauses; choosing between two correct words; general versus specific; vague versus accurate; hedging; economy of words
  • JAB04/02
  • 9. Creative project presentation and peer feedback; Third 3-week creative project commences (5-minute video)
  • JAB04/03
  • 9. Creative project Stage 2 review and peer feedback; Creative project Stage 3 commences
  • JAB04/02 and JAB04/03
  • 10. Principles of presentations; good and bad presentations; body versus words versus pictures; audience engagement: head versus heart. 11. Completing a portfolio; composing a manifesto; presenting and defending a portfolio; Assessment rubrics 12. Presentation and defence of portfolios; listening test
  • * Short weekly reflections are mandatory in JAG04/02 and JAB04/03 *
  • ** THERE IS NO TEXT BOOK FOR JAB04/02 AND JAB04/03. YOU WILL FIND YOUR OWN MATERIAL **
Literature
  • Přehled doporučené literatury - viz informace učitele.
  • online: New Scientist, Science Daily, Nature, National Geographic, BBC, How stuff works
  • The recommended literaure - see the information of the teacher
  • MCCARTHY, Michael and Felicity O'DELL. Academic vocabulary in use. First published. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008, 176 stran. ISBN 9780521689397. info
  • Academic writing course :study skills in English. Edited by R.R Jordan. 1st ed. Essex: Longman, 1999, 160 s. ISBN 0-582-40019-8. info
Teaching methods
foreign language course; text analysis, listening comprehension, discussion (in pairs, groups, plenary) presentations; blended learning - IS MU (interactive materials, dril)
Assessment methods
Each course is concluded with a credit test. 85% attendance in seminars is required. JAB04/01 is concluded with a credit test (two credits). Students who choose this option are required to also sit the J002 examination (two credits).

JAB04/02 and JAB04/03 are concluded with a portfolio assessment, portfolio defence and listening test (four credits). Students who choose either of these options will NOT be required to sit the J002 examination.

85% attendance in seminars is required across the board.
Language of instruction
English
Follow-Up Courses
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2011 - only for the accreditation, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2020/JAB04