Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Scientific Communication (Cross Disciplinary Subject)
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish
Teaching staff
Introduction
The aim of the programme is primarily to provide students with a range of skills when speaking for different purposes in a professional context.
The programme contains 3 elements that include class-based lessons, tutorials and self study. The teacher-led lessons focus on the basic principles of public speaking and the speechmaking process.
Tutorials will focus on student development and interpersonal skills and will include an evaluated group project. The final part being the self study element which primarily focuses on preparing for public speaking through drafting.
All three elements have been specifically designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge and resources that will increase their confidence in order to communicate effectively in public and in English.
Pre-course requirements
Preferred minimum global level is that of a B2 before the start of the course.
Objectives
Classroom:
To prepare and equip students with the necessary skills needed for oral production through a series of reading, application, and speaking assignments that build systematically upon one another.
Tutorial:
To develop students' interpersonal skills and ability to work with others in both native and an additional language.
Self Study:
To develop autonomy with respect to preparing themselves for speaking in public through drafting and rehearsing.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB6 - Students should have and understand knowledge that provides the basis for or opportunity to be original in terms of the development and application of ideas, often within a research context.
- CB7 - Students should know how to apply the knowledge they have acquired and be able to resolve problems in new or little known environments within a broader (or multidisciplinary) context, related to their area of study.
- CB8 - Students should be able to incorporate knowledge and tackle the complexity of making judgements based on information which, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibility linked to the application of their knowledge and judgement.
- CB9 - Students should know how to express their conclusions, and the knowledge and reasoning these are based on, to specialised and non-specialised audiences in a clear and unambiguous way.
- CE1 - Students should be able to undertake a proper analysis and an extraoral diagnosis, and underline the aesthetic and functional aspects of the teeth and the soft areas of the lower part of the face as well as an analysis and clinical and lab-based diagnosis, using diagnostic and therapeutic wax models, in order to rehabilitate dental occlusion with good functional and aesthetic balance, while taking into account multidisciplinary factors related to the masticating apparatus.
- CE10 - Students should acquire the ability to apply scientific methods, and apply the knowledge acquired to resolving problems in a scientific field. They should learn how to develop research projects both in vitro and in vivo, within the fields of mechanics, biology and microbiology applied to prosthetic and restorative dentistry and dental implants.
- CE11 - Students should be autonomous in terms of developing and applying new technologies to aesthetic restorative dentistry and searching for new scientific information, as well as acquiring the ability to evaluate and undertake the research and development projects the industry offers in an ethical way, and manage the financial and human resources, as well as be aware of the strategic basis for the transfer of new knowledge to the industry.
- CE2 - Students should be able to work as a clinical professional and/or researcher in the field of aesthetic restorative dentistry, and act as a real specialist or expert in the material; as well as know how to diagnose, treat, prevent and research oral disorders and have updated knowledge of the diagnostic and treatment-related advances which continue to arise throughout their professional life.
- CE4 - To acquire the ability to make oral preparations on mucosa, teeth, and dental implants, to build dental prostheses in patients with advanced oral and multidisciplinary disorders; as well as identify and undertake the procedures and various checks for the prosthetic components during construction.
- CE5 - To be able to give public presentations on your own clinical cases based on the scientific literature, and correctly use the scientific terminology related to temporomandibular dysfunction and aesthetic restorative dentistry.
- CE6 - To acquire the ability to make scientific informed opinions so as to choose the type of material a dental prosthesis is built of in order to fit the patient with it, as well as know how to continuously update your knowledge of the dental biomaterial used in the field of aesthetic restorative dentistry, know how to manipulate it, and about its properties, indications, biocompatibilities, toxicity and environmental impact.
- CE7 - To be able to search for, organise and analyse, from a critical point of view, and using biomedical sources of information, scientific literature on issues related to temporomandibular dysfunction and aesthetic restorative dentistry, in order to pursue continuing education in a self-directed and autonomous way.
- CE8 - To know how to apply epistemological, ethical, legislational and humanitarian factors to research and the disclosure of scientific data in the field of aesthetic restorative dentistry.
- CE9 - To recognise and interpret images and specialised diagnostic techniques that are significant in research, as well as know how to apply bioinformatic tools and new technologies to the fields of prosthetic and restorative dentistry and dental implants.
- CG2 - To be autonomous in terms of obtaining a patient's anamnesis and oral explorations in patients with pathologies that might be either advanced or multidisciplinary in nature; and fill in their medical record and other clinical paperwork using scientific language and terminology that is suited to an aesthetic restorative dentistry professional.
- CG4 - To know how to apply protocols for the use of the equipment in the dental laboratory-workshop to the point of undertaking the necessary procedures that help in oral rehabilitation or the treatments common to a restorative dentist.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Students will be able to:
- Know and use the appropriate format when presenting research results in public, both in a scientific paper, as a poster, and in oral communication.
- Communicate in scientific English.
- Demonstrate the ability to work in a team and autonomously.
Syllabus
Academic skills:
Students will develop the ability to organise and present scientific and clinical information clearly and effectively. They will practise explaining research findings and dental concepts to specialist and non-specialist audiences, summarising scientific work orally, describing and interpreting tables, figures and clinical data, and responding to questions in academic and professional discussions.
Language and communication skills:
Students will develop the academic language, vocabulary, organisation, pronunciation and interactional strategies required for effective oral scientific communication. Particular attention will be paid to clear delivery, audience awareness, signposting, and confident participation in professional and clinical communication.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course is organised around five interactive face-to-face sessions focused on the development of oral scientific and professional communication skills. Students will work individually, in pairs and in groups through guided practice, short presentations, discussion tasks, interpretation of scientific and clinical information, and question-and-answer activities.
Classroom activities will provide opportunities to practise presenting research findings, explaining dental and health-related concepts to different audiences, describing and interpreting tables, figures and clinical data, and using appropriate academic language and discourse organisation. Students will receive ongoing feedback from the teacher and peers in order to improve clarity, delivery, interaction and confidence in oral communication.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Assessment activity: Final Oral Presentation
Weighting: 100%
The final assessment consists of an oral presentation delivered after completion of the five course sessions. Students are expected to apply the academic, linguistic and communication skills developed throughout the course.
The assessment focuses on the students’ ability to:
- Present scientific and clinical information clearly and professionally.
- Communicate effectively in scientific English.
- Organise and deliver information appropriately for the intended audience.
- Demonstrate effective oral presentation and interactional skills.
Given the practical nature of the course, attendance and active participation in class are essential for developing the skills required for the final assessment.
Bibliography and resources
Class-based materials:
Materials provided by the teacher, including selected scientific articles, presentation examples, clinical and scientific data, audiovisual materials, and course resources available through Moodle.
Resources for self-study:
Relevant academic and professional online resources, an English-English dictionary, and a thesaurus.