Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Scientific Communication 2
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish
Teaching staff
By appointment. Please contact the instructor by email.
Introduction
Scientific Communication II is designed to develop students’ ability to communicate scientific and clinical information clearly and effectively in English. The course focuses particularly on oral scientific communication in academic and professional health-science contexts, including the presentation and discussion of research findings.
The course follows a flipped-classroom format. Students engage with pre-recorded lectures, scientific texts, audiovisual materials and preparatory tasks before synchronous online sessions. Live sessions are used for active practice, discussion, peer interaction and feedback. Activities include oral summaries of research articles, scientific and poster presentations, interpretation of research data, peer-teaching tasks, problem-solving discussions, academic debate and case-based presentations. The course also promotes the development of appropriate academic language, organization, delivery and interactional skills for communicating with both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Pre-course requirements
Preferred minimum global level is that of a B1+ / B2 before the start of the course.
Objectives
Classroom:
- To develop the lexical and linguistic resources necessary to understand, discuss and communicate scientific and clinical research in English.
- To strengthen receptive skills (reading and listening) and productive skills (speaking and writing) through tasks related to scientific communication.
- To develop students’ ability to present scientific information clearly, accurately and appropriately for different audiences.
Tutorial:
- To develop students’ interpersonal and collaborative communication skills through peer interaction, discussion and feedback.
Self Study:
- To strengthen students’ ability to work autonomously with scientific texts and audiovisual materials in English.
- To consolidate academic vocabulary, organizational patterns and communication strategies used in scientific presentations and discussions.
- To prepare students for synchronous sessions through guided pre-class activities and independent practice.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CP02RA - Work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team on a research project clinical.
- CP03RA - Communicate the stages of a clinical research project to the public specialized and non-specialized clearly and unambiguously
- HB02RA - Use tools to critically evaluate projects, protocols and research articles, both qualitative and quantitative, in the field of Health Sciences
- HB04RA - Discuss judgments based on ethical and social responsibility in research clinic.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Students will be able to:
- M3.5. Create scientific health presentations and reports written in English.
- M3.6. Discuss scientific reports and results in the health field in English.
- M3.7. Adapt linguistic resources in English to the needs of different environments and scientific health reports.
Syllabus
What will I learn?
- To communicate scientific information, research findings and conclusions clearly and professionally in oral academic contexts.
- To summarize and present research articles using the IMRaD structure.
- To organize oral presentations effectively using appropriate signposting and academic language.
- To describe and interpret tables, charts, figures and research data orally.
- To adapt scientific language to different audiences and communication contexts.
- To participate actively in academic discussions, peer-teaching activities and problem-solving tasks.
- To formulate and respond to questions and arguments in scientific discussions.
- To prepare and deliver concise scientific, poster and case-study presentations in English.
Content:
- Oral summaries of scientific articles: IMRaD structure and signposting.
- Academic language, organization, tone and pronunciation in scientific presentations.
- Scientific poster presentations: structure, delivery and critical analysis.
- Communicating and interpreting research data, tables, figures and charts.
- Peer teaching and collaborative explanation of scientific concepts.
- Problem-solving discussions and academic interaction.
- Mini-debates and argumentation in professional and scientific contexts.
- Case-study and scientific presentations.
- Question handling and participation in academic discussions.
Teaching and learning activities
Online
|
Cooperative Learning: Online Adaptation (RP) |
|
Master classes: online adaptation (CT) (CP) |
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Group tutorials |
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Case method: Online adaptation (EC) |
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Self-Paced Learning: Online Adaptation (AA) |
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Project-Based Learning: Online Adaptation (PBL) |
The course follows a flipped-classroom approach. Students are provided with pre-recorded lectures, supporting materials and preparatory tasks before each synchronous online session. Live sessions focus on active oral communication practice, collaborative activities, discussion, peer interaction and feedback. Students complete individual and collaborative tasks related to scientific communication, including oral summaries, poster presentations, problem-solving discussions, peer-teaching activities and case-based presentations.
Evaluation systems and criteria
Online
| Weekly assignments / exercises | 45% | 45% |
| Final oral presentation | 55% | 55% |
Bibliography and resources
Grove, S. K., & Gray, J. R. Understanding Nursing Research: Building an Evidence-Based Practice. 8th ed. Elsevier, 2022.
Mayer, D., Eskin, B., & Nunan, D. Essential Evidence-Based Medicine. 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2026.
Alley, M. The Craft of Scientific Presentations: Critical Steps to Succeed and Critical Errors to Avoid. 2nd ed. Springer, 2013.
International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals. Updated January 2026.
Selected scientific articles, presentation examples, audiovisual materials, and course resources provided through Moodle.