12241 - PhD Thesis Writing Skills Modulübersicht

Module Number: 12241
Module Title:PhD Thesis Writing Skills
  Schreibkompetenzen PhD Thesis
Department: Faculty 2 - Environment and Natural Sciences
Responsible Staff Member:
  • Prof. Dr. phil. Raab, Thomas
Language of Teaching / Examination:English
Duration:2 semesters
Frequency of Offer: Every winter semester
Credits: 6
Learning Outcome:The module supports PhD students in improving their writing skills as young researchers. Unlike for example a master’s thesis, writing a dissertation is a very large project, which is usually a new experience for most PhD candidates. Besides developing their writing skills, the PhD students also need to develop further skills such as time-management, planning the writing process, how to integrate their sources, etc. The module combines lectures, group work, student presentations, and exercises. It is divided into three consecutive parts. By the end of the module, the PhD candidates shall be able to meet the challenges of writing with clarity a coherent dissertation. 
Contents:This module ranges over two semesters and contains three consecutive parts.

Semester 1

Part 1  – Writing a dissertation: common concerns
·         Understanding similarities and differences between a dissertation and other types of academic writing
·         Understanding the requirements of the thesis-based and article-based PhD
·         Developing independence as a researcher and challenges in the writing process
·         Understanding the writing process of a dissertation (getting started, ideas, structure, drafts, edit, publish)
·         Publishing your PhD thesis

Part 2 – Clarity and effectiveness
·         Addressing the audience through clear and effective written expression
·         Establishing a productive writing routine
·         Improving cohesion at the sentence, paragraph, section and chapter level
·         Integrating sources by quoting, summarising and paraphrasing
·         Editing and proofreading
·         Avoiding plagiarism

Semester 2

Part 3 – Strategies for creating a logical structure
·         Exploring tools to improve the structure of the thesis
·         Essentials of writing the literature review
·         Organising the method, results and discussion chapter
·         Writing good introductions and conclusions
Recommended Prerequisites:For PhD students of Environmental and Resource Management, it is recommended to pass the module „Academic Research and Methods” before taking this module.

For PhD students of Heritage Studies it is recommended to pass the module “Theories / Methods” before taking this module.
Mandatory Prerequisites:None
Forms of Teaching and Proportion:
  • Seminar / 2 Hours per Week per Semester
  • Self organised studies / 120 Hours
Teaching Materials and Literature:Recommended readings:
Bailey, S. 2006, Academic Writing. A Handbook for International Students, London and New York, Routledge
Deane, M. 2010, Inside Track to Academic Research, Writing & Referencing, Harlow, Pearson Education Limited
Gillet, A. et al. 2009: Inside Track to Academic Research, Writing & Referencing, Harlow, Pearson Education Limited
Murray, N. and Beglar, D. 2009, Writing Dissertations & Theses, Harlow, Pearson Education Limited
Thody, A. 2006, Writing and Presenting Research, Sage, London, 2006
Wallace, M. and Wray, A. 2011, Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates, London, Sage
Williams, J. M. et al. 2007, Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace, Pearson Longman, New York
Module Examination:Continuous Assessment (MCA)
Assessment Mode for Module Examination:
  • Active participation (20 %)
  • 2 in-class presentations, 15 minutes each (20 %)
  • Long outline PhD thesis, 5 pp. (30 %) 
  • Extract PhD thesis chapter, 5 pp., ex literature review (30 %)
Evaluation of Module Examination:Performance Verification – graded
Limited Number of Participants:None
Part of the Study Programme:
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Environmental and Resource Management / keine PO
  • Structural Doctoral Programme / Environmental and Resource Management / PO 2017
  • Structural Doctoral Programme / Heritage Studies / PO 2017
  • Abschluss im Ausland / Power Engineering / keine PO
  • Structural Doctoral Programme / Power Engineering / PO 2021
Remarks:None
Module Components:In winter semester (start of the module):
  • 240466 SE “PhD Thesis Writing Skills – Part 1 and 2” (2SWS)

In summer semester:
  • “PhD Thesis Writing Skills – Part 3” – (2SWS)

Seminar will be offered first in WS 2018/19!

Components to be offered in the Current Semester: