About this Course

408,360 recent views

This course teaches scientists to become more effective writers, using practical examples and exercises. Topics include: principles of good writing, tricks for writing faster and with less anxiety, the format of a scientific manuscript, peer review, grant writing, ethical issues in scientific publication, and writing for general audiences.

Learner Career Outcomes

26%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 30 hours to complete

English

Skills you will gain

Grammar
Medical Writing
Science Communication
Writing

Learner Career Outcomes

26%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Beginner Level

Approx. 30 hours to complete

English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.92/5 (3,023 Ratings)

Dr. Kristin Sainani

Associate Professor

Health Research and Policy

409,162 Learners

1 Course

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating97%(36,257 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

1

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 79 min)

Week2

Week 2

2 hours to complete

2

2 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 87 min)

Week3

Week 3

4 hours to complete

3

4 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 105 min)

Week4

Week 4

4 hours to complete

4

4 hours to complete

7 videos (Total 81 min)

Reviews

4.9

2518 reviews

5 stars
89.65%
4 stars
9.36%
3 stars
0.62%
2 stars
0.17%
1 star
0.18%

TOP REVIEWS FROM WRITING IN THE SCIENCES

by SOJun 22, 2019

Great course. Learned so much that will help me be a better writer and editor, not only in the sciences, but in other areas. A fantastic professor, clear thinking, speaking, writing. an inspiration.

by IAAug 25, 2020

A very helpful course. My writing has improved significantly in these 8 weeks. I highly recommend this course to everyone. Thank you Dr. Kristin Sainani and Coursera for bringing this course together.

by AWNov 28, 2021

Extremely informative and well written. I loved the author's way of explaining. I really enjoyed taking this course and learnt a great deal. Would love to take more courses from the same instructor.

by NKSep 21, 2020

"Writing in the Sciences" is a well-structured and balanced course to understand research writing process from the basics. Dr Sainani has done a great job with her valuable tips on science writing.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Are there other versions of this course available?
Yes. There is a Stanford Lagunita offering, and a Continuing Medical Education (CME) offering. The different offerings are described below:
The Stanford Lagunita offering is self-paced, unmoderated, includes self assessment assignments, and offers you the ability to earn a free Statement of Accomplishment.
The Coursera offering is provided on a monthly basis, is more moderated, includes peer assessment assignments, and offers you the ability to earn a certificate of completion for a fee.
The CME offering can be used to earn Continuing Medical Education credits.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

Writing in the Sciences