Academic writing for PhD candidates and Master’s students (health sciences)

Academic Writing (PhD-1) 

Location: online (all 8 sessions take place online)

PhD-1 offers you a general introduction to academic writing. As such, it is open both to PhD candidates and to Research Master’s students from across Maastricht University and beyond. In these courses, you will write your own texts, review literature, improve texts, develop your grammatical ability and learn to identify typical features in published articles. The course also provides you with an opportunity to submit work to your tutor and receive comprehensive feedback on what you have written. In addition, participants have repeated opportunities to provide feedback to fellow course members and receive feedback from them on your written submissions. 

When participating on this course, ideally students should be able to submit two pages of written work each week. It is advisable, therefore, either to have written something just before starting the course, or at least to be in a position to submit pieces of work as the course progresses. Submitting and sharing your work on a regular basis, enables writers to discover more about their writing style and maximise their learning experience.

After completing the course, students will be able to:

• structure ideas to write clearer sentences and more cohesive paragraphs
• use an academic writing style which is characterized by precise, concise, and formal language
• report on previous research and assess its importance
• write more persuasively and with nuance
• use a wider range of vocabulary and grammatical structures
• identify common mistakes in written texts
• feel more confident about writing in English

Advanced Scientific Writing (PhD-2)

Location: on campus course (all 8 sessions take place in Maastricht)

The ability to write a coherent scientific article is essential to educational and career development, allowing researchers to engage with complex ideas and contribute to the intellectual life in their chosen field. The PhD-2 writing course aims to help candidates further refine and develop their writing ability at dissertation and publication level. As well as improving their overall writing technique and organizational competence, students learn vocabulary and language skills that will positively impact their wider academic and professional life.

At the beginning of the course, participants are placed in smaller groups with colleagues from similar research backgrounds. Groups work together on a variety of exercises during the first hour of the session before completing peer-reviews of one another’s work in the second hour. During the course, students are required to (re)submit 600-800 words of work weekly for review. The peer-review of this work focuses on structure, language, and coherence. The teacher provides feedback on the submissions immediately after class, so you can combine both the advice of your colleagues and teacher to help improve your work. While the course does follow an IMRaD pattern, meaning that a given week focuses on a given section of a scientific paper, you may resubmit an improved draft or a section from any part of your research for peer-review in class.

By the end of the course, students will have received up to 18 pieces of oral or written feedback across six submissions, including the written feedback provided by the course instructor. You will also have built up a portfolio of useful sample articles from both the course and from your own field. As such, the course aims to make you highly independent in your ability to scrutinize and redesign work in terms of structure, style and narrative, and to feel more confident when applying these skills throughout your writing career.

Learning Objectives

Outline knowledge of redrafting to improve overall writing skills

Expand knowledge of the theory and practice of scientific writing for journals

Develop the ability to critically evaluate writing style, argument, and rhetoric

Revise language skills and improve use of rhetoric

Enhance ability to discuss research and writing with colleagues in English

Required Material

Glasman-Deal, H. (Second Edition 2020). Science Research Writing. London: Imperial College Press (available at the Randwijck Study Store) 
ISBN 9781786347848

Advanced Scientific Writing (PhD-2)

Location: online (all 8 sessions take place online)

The ability to write a coherent scientific article is essential to educational and career development, allowing researchers to engage with complex ideas and contribute to the intellectual life in their chosen field. The PhD-2 writing course aims to help candidates further refine and develop their writing ability at dissertation and publication level. As well as improving their overall writing technique and organizational competence, students learn vocabulary and language skills that will positively impact their wider academic and professional life.

At the beginning of the course, participants are placed in smaller groups with colleagues from similar research backgrounds. Groups work together on a variety of exercises during the first hour of the session before completing peer-reviews of one another’s work in the second hour. During the course, students are required to (re)submit 600-800 words of work weekly for review. The peer-review of this work focuses on structure, language, and coherence. The teacher provides feedback on the submissions immediately after class, so you can combine both the advice of your colleagues and teacher to help improve your work. While the course does follow an IMRaD pattern, meaning that a given week focuses on a given section of a scientific paper, you may resubmit an improved draft or a section from any part of your research for peer-review in class.

By the end of the course, students will have received up to 18 pieces of oral or written feedback across six submissions, including the written feedback provided by the course instructor. You will also have built up a portfolio of useful sample articles from both the course and from your own field. As such, the course aims to make you highly independent in your ability to scrutinize and redesign work in terms of structure, style and narrative, and to feel more confident when applying these skills throughout your writing career.

Learning Objectives

Outline knowledge of redrafting to improve overall writing skills

Expand knowledge of the theory and practice of scientific writing for journals

Develop the ability to critically evaluate writing style, argument, and rhetoric

Revise language skills and improve use of rhetoric

Enhance ability to discuss research and writing with colleagues in English

Required Material

Glasman-Deal, H. (Second Edition 2020). Science Research Writing. London: Imperial College Press (available at the Randwijck Study Store) 
ISBN 9781786347848

German B2

German B2 is intended for people who can use German independently, meaning you have already completed a number of courses or have lived in a German speaking country for a while and are able to make yourself well understood in all situations. 

In this module you will learn to:

• give presentations;
• make your case in an argument;
• carry out discussions with native speakers;
• bring up topics relating to work or studies in class discussions;
• express thoughts and opinions;
• understand reports, interviews, talk shows and speak about different point of views;
• debating and presenting a topic;
• read literary texts and write a summary;
• talking about topics such as travelling, beauty, friendship, technology, work, communication and culture;
• express feelings and emotions;
• express an positive or negative opinion;
• prepare a letter of application and analyse job applications.

Course material for German B2

Mittelpunkt neu, B2, Deutsch als Fremdsprache für Fortgeschrittene (Klett). NB! ISBN is correct regardless of edition year.

• Lehrbuch ISBN 978-3-12-676652-4
• Arbeitsbuch ISBN 978-3-12-676653-1  (Lektionen 1-6 for DE-4 and 7-12 for DE-5)

German B2plus

The German B2plus course is suitable for participants who have already reached the B2 level. German B2plus is primarily a discussion forum in which you must play an active role.

During this module, you will learn to:

• express your thoughts and justify your position in discussions and debates;
• learn how to present yourself well in an interview;
• hand in written assignments, in which you will have to pay special attention to grammar.

Course material for German B2plus

Mittelpunkt neu, B2, Deutsch als Fremdsprache für Fortgeschrittene (Klett). NB! ISBN is correct regardless of edition year.

• Lehrbuch ISBN 978-3-12-676652-4
• Arbeitsbuch ISBN 978-3-12-676653-1  (Lektionen 1-6 for DE-4 and 7-12 for DE-5)

German B2plus

The B2plus course is suitable for participants who have already reached the B2 level. German B2plus is partly a discussion forum in which you must play an active role.

In module B2plus you will learn to:

• express your thoughts and justify your position in discussions and debates;
• talk, read and listen about experiences abroad, health, science, German culture and current topics, for example;
• learn how to present yourself well in an interview;
• hand in written assignments, in which you will have to pay special attention to grammar.

Course material for German B2plus

Mittelpunkt neu, B2, Deutsch als Fremdsprache für Fortgeschrittene (Klett). NB! ISBN is correct regardless of edition year.

• Lehrbuch ISBN 978-3-12-676652-4
• Arbeitsbuch ISBN 978-3-12-676653-1  (Lektionen 1-6 for DE-4 and 7-12 for DE-5)

Dutch biweekly B2

To participate in this B2 course an intake is required when you do not have a of B2minus certificate.

In this course, you will improve your ability to:

• give a clear and well-structured presentation, as well as spontaneously answer questions;
• use grammar correctly;
• make summaries;
• pay attention to intercultural aspects: discuss typical subjects for your country or for a country with which you are familiar.

After B2minus and B2 you are advanced enough to take the State Exam Dutch as a Second Language, programme II, if you like.

Course material: Please note, new edition: De Finale (herziening 2025) | | 9789024465897 | NT2

Certificate B2: upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail. 

NB Boost your employability and apply for a free Advanced Dutch language course now. Go to UM Language Centre – Scholarships for more information.

French C1

This course further improves speaking and listening skills, with special attention to professional purposes.

A lot of emphasis is put on themes and vocabulary that relate to study or work. You will also work on skills that are useful for your career, such as presenting, discussing and participating in meetings. 

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

• discuss typical subjects concerning your country or a country you are familiar with and compare it to the French speaking countries realities.
• clearly express and explain your ideas and opinions;
• give a clear and well structured presentation, as well as spontaneously answer questions;
• use grammar correctly;
• make summaries;
• argue, presenting and debating;
• write letters and e-mails (formal and informal).

Course material for French C1

• Expression française écrite et orale, Editions PUG, (ISBN: 9782706123108)​
• Recommended literature: Vocabulaire progressif du français avancé: Avec 390 exercices Broché – Grand livre, Claire MIQUEL,  2018,  CLE International; 2e édition (4 septembre 2018), 
  ISBN-13: ‎ 978-2090381993

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