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.

Writing in the Sciences

Instructor: Dr. Kristin Sainani

604,268 already enrolled

8 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

9,806 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

8 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

9,806 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

97%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

9 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 8 modules in this course

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.

Unit 1 introduces the course and reviews key principles of effective writing. In particular, you will practice cutting clutter from writing.

What's included

7 videos2 assignments

7 videosTotal 79 minutes

1.1: Introduction; principles of effective writing11 minutes
1.2: Examples of what not to do7 minutes
1.3: Overview, principles of effective writing6 minutes
1.4: Cut the clutter17 minutes
1.5: Cut the clutter, more tricks4 minutes
1.6: Practicing cutting clutter10 minutes
Demo Edit 1 (Optional)23 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 75 minutes

Unit 1 Homework60 minutes
Unit 1 Practice15 minutes

Unit 2 focuses on writing with strong, active verbs. Lessons include how to: write in the active voice; avoid turning verbs into nouns; choose strong verbs; and get to the main verb of a sentence quickly.

What's included

7 videos1 assignment

Unit 3 reviews how to vary sentence structure and write strong paragraphs. You will practice using the dash, colon, semi-colon, and parentheses, as well as writing well-organized and concise paragraphs.

What's included

8 videos1 assignment1 peer review

8 videosTotal 105 minutes

3.1: Experiment with punctuation28 minutes
3.2: Practice, colon and dash7 minutes
3.3: Parallelism6 minutes
3.4: Paragraphs9 minutes
3.5: Paragraph Editing I14 minutes
3.6: Paragraph Editing II11 minutes
Module 3.7: A few more tips7 minutes
Demo Edit 3 (Optional)23 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 60 minutes

Unit 3 Homework60 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Paragraph editing exercise60 minutes

Unit 4 reviews the writing process. I will give you tips for making the writing process easier, more efficient, and more organized.

What's included

7 videos1 assignment

Unit 5 reviews the sections of a scientific manuscript. You will learn how to format tables and figures, and how to write results, methods, introduction, and discussion sections.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment

Unit 6 discusses the peer review process, as well as ethical issues in scientific publishing. You will learn how to avoid plagiarism, determine authorship, submit a paper, write a peer review, and avoid predatory journals.

What's included

9 videos1 assignment1 peer review

9 videosTotal 143 minutes

6.1: Plagiarism18 minutes
6.2: Authorship10 minutes
6.3: The Submission Process12 minutes
6.4: Interview with Dr. Bradley Efron15 minutes
6.5: Interview with Dr. George Lundberg27 minutes
6.6: Interview with Dr. Gary Friedman23 minutes
6.7: Doing a peer review14 minutes
6.8: Predatory journals8 minutes
Demo Edit 6 (Optional)18 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Unit 6 Homework20 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 300 minutes

Essay300 minutes

Unit 7 reviews types of writing beyond original research manuscripts. You will learn how to write review papers, grants, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.

What's included

7 videos1 assignment

Unit 8 reviews communication with broader audiences. You will learn how work with the media, be interviewed, conduct an interview, and write about science for general audiences.

What's included

8 videos1 assignment1 peer review

8 videosTotal 125 minutes

8.1: Talking with the media13 minutes
8.2: Panel Interview23 minutes
8.3: Writing for general audiences21 minutes
8.4: Writing a science news story11 minutes
8.5: Interviewing a scientist16 minutes
8.6: Social media21 minutes
8.7: Concluding Remarks1 minute
Demo Edit 8 (Optional)19 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 60 minutes

Unit 8 Homework60 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Lay summary exercise60 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(4,021 ratings)

Dr. Kristin Sainani

Stanford University

1 Course604,268 learners

Offered by

Stanford University

Explore more from Basic Science

Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Scientific Writing for Research Grant Proposals
Course
Status: Preview
University of Colorado Boulder
Designing Effective Science Communication
Course
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
Teaching Writing Process
Course
Status: Preview
O.P. Jindal Global University
Introduction to Academic Writing
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
89.37%
4 stars
9.58%
3 stars
0.60%
2 stars
0.20%
1 star
0.23%

Showing 3 of 9806

Reviewed on Dec 19, 2019

This is one of the wonderful course on Writing that I came across. I highly recommend this course to people who are interested in making their career in writing or prospective doctorate students.

Reviewed on Oct 12, 2020

This course covers each and every aspect about "Writing" - be it a research paper, a recommendation letter, an abstract, and much more. The well organized structure helps to grasp the points faster.

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2021

Exceptional course! Dr Kristin Sainani is an incredible instructor! The course material was detailed and provided all the tools to become a great scientific writer! This will help me in my field!

View more reviews

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

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.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. 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.

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.

Writing in the Sciences

Writing in the Sciences

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

There are 8 modules in this course

1

What's included

2

What's included

3

What's included

4

What's included

5

What's included

6

What's included

7

What's included

8

What's included

Instructor

Offered by

Explore more from Basic Science

Scientific Writing for Research Grant Proposals

Designing Effective Science Communication

Teaching Writing Process

Introduction to Academic Writing

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.

Learner reviews

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Advance your career with an online degree

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Frequently asked questions

Are there other versions of this course available?

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

More questions