Practical and easy to use, Writing in the Biological Sciences: A Comprehensive Resource for Scientific Communication, Third Edition, presents students with all of the techniques and information they need to communicate their scientific ideas, insights, and discoveries. Angelika H. Hofmann introduces students to the underlying principles and guidelines of professional scientific writing and then teaches them how to apply these methods when composing essential forms of scientific writing and communication.

Ideal as a free-standing textbook for courses on writing in the biological sciences--or as an accompanying text or reference guide in courses and laboratories with writing-intensive components--this indispensable handbook gives students the tools they need to succeed in their undergraduate science careers and beyond.

New to This Edition:

• New sections on:
  • the scientific method
  • scientific writing
  • scientific ethics
  • basic statistical analysis
  • the most common interview questions
• An expanded section on plagiarism
• A glossary of scientific and technical terms
• An updated layout of the text and chapter overviews
• Updated PowerPoint slides

Foreword 
Preface

PART I. SCIENTIFIC WRITING BASICS 

Chapter 1: Science and Scientific Communication 
1.1 The Scientific Method and Communication 
1.2 Necessary Technical Skills 
1.3 Scientific Writing versus Science Writing 
1.4 Scientific Communication and Ethics 
1.5 Readers and Writers 
Summary 
Chapter 2: Fundamentals of Scientific Writing, Part I--Style 
2.1 Individual Words and Word Location 
2.2 Sentences and Technical Style 
Summary of Basic Writing Rules, Part I--Style 
Problems 
Chapter 3: Fundamentals of Scientific Writing, Part II--Composition 
3.1 Paragraph Flow 
3.2 Paragraph Construction and Organization 
3.3 Condensing 
Summary of Basic Writing Rules, Part II--Compositions 
Problems 

PART II: WORKING WITH REFERENCES AND DATA 

Chapter 4: Literature Sources 
4.1 Searching the Literature 
4.2 Source Material 
4.3 Citing References 
4.4 Common Reference 
4.5 Managing Sources 
4.6 Plagiarism and Taking Notes 
Summary 
Problems 
Chapter 5: Basics of Statistical Analysis
5.1 General Guidelines 
5.2 Basic Statistical Terminology 
5.3 Distribution Curves 
5.4 Statistical Analysis of Data 
5.5 Reporting Statistics 
5.6 Graphical Representation 
5.7 Useful Resources for Statistical Analysis 
5.8 Checklist 
Summary 
Problems 
Chapter 6: Notebooks, Data, Figures, and Tables 
6.1 Keeping a Laboratory Notebook 
6.2 From Notebook Entries to Presenting Data 
6.3 Figures, Their Legends, and Their Titles 
6.4 Tables and Their Titles 
6.5 Software Resources for Figures and Tables 
6.6 Checklist 
Summary 
Problems 

PART III: INTRODUCTORY WRITING 

Chapter 7: Laboratory Reports and Research Papers 
7.1 General Purpose 
7.2 The Big Picture 
7.3 Before You Get Started 
7.4 Components and Format 
7.5 Title and Title Page 
7.6 Abstract 
7.7 Introduction 
7.8 Materials and Methods 
7.9 Results 
7.10 Discussion 
7.11 References 
7.12 Acknowledgments 
7.13 Checklist 
Summary 
Problems 
Chapter 8: Revising and Editing 
8.1 General Advice 
8.2 Revising the First Draft 
8.3 Revising Subsequent Drafts 
8.4 Checklist for Revising 
8.5 Editing Someone Else's Manuscript 
8.6 Checklist for Editing Someone Else's Manuscript 
8.7 Submission and the Review Process 
Summary 
Problems 
Chapter 9: Sample Reports
9.1 General Overview 
9.2 Sample Weekly Lab Report 
9.3 Sample Project Paper 
Chapter 10: Reading, Summarizing, and Critiquing a Scientific Research Article
10.1 Content of a Scientific Research Article 
10.2 Reading a Research Paper 
10.3 Writing a Summary of a Research Paper 
10.4 Critiquing a Research Paper 
10.5 Checklist 
Summary 
Problems 
Chapter 11: Term Papers and Review Articles 
11.1 Purpose of Reviews 
11.2 Deciding on the Topic 
11.3 Format 
11.4 Title 
11.5 Abstract 
11.6 Introduction 
11.7 Main Analysis Section 
11.8 Conclusion 
11.9 References 
11.10 Checklist 
Summary 
Problems 
Chapter 12: Note Taking and Essay Exams 
12.1 General Overview 
12.2 Effective Note Taking 
12.3 Preparing for an Essay Exam 
12.4 Answering an Essay Question 
12.5 Time Management Tips 
12.6 Checklist 
Summary 

PART IV: ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC DOCUMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 

Chapter 13: Oral Presentations 
13.1 Format of a Scientific Talk 
13.2 Preparing for a Talk 
13.3 Delivery of a Talk 
13.4 Question and Answer Period 
13.5 Useful Resources 
13.6 Checklist 
Summary 
Problems 
Chapter 14: Posters 
14.1 Components and Format of a Poster 
14.2 Preparing a Poster 
14.3 Presenting a Poster 
14.4 Useful Resources 
14.5 Complete Sample Poster 
14.6 Checklist for a Poster 
Summary 
Problems 
Chapter 15: Research Proposals
15.1 General Overview 
15.2 Components and Format 
15.3 Abstract 
15.4 Specific Aims 
15.5 Background 
15.6 Research Design 
15.7 Impact and Significance 
15.8 Additional Proposal Components 
15.9 Checklist 
Summary 
Problems 
Chapter 16: Job Applications 
16.1 Curricula Vitae (CVs) and Resumes 
16.2 Cover Letters 
16.3 Personal Statements 
16.4 The Hiring Process and Interview 
16.5 Letters of Recommendation 
16.6 Checklist for a Job Application 
Summary 
Problems 

Appendix A: Commonly Confused and Misused Words 
Appendix B: MS Word Basics and Top 20 MS Word Tips 
Appendix C: Excel Basics and Top 20 Excel Tips 
Appendix D: PowerPoint Basics and Top 20 PowerPoint Tips 
Appendix E: MS Office Cheat Sheet 

Answers to Problems 
Glossary of English Grammar Terms 
Bibliography 
Credits 
Index

Angelika H. Hofmann - Deputy Director, Science Initiatives, Yale University

Angelika H. Hofmann is Deputy Director for Science and International Initiatives at Yale University. She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology and biochemistry. Renowned in the field of scientific writing, she also heads "SciWri Services," a venture that has provided workshops and editing and consulting services for scholars and scientists around the world for over two decades.

"This textbook is essential for any student in the biological sciences. It is also a valuable resource for students after graduation, in terms of presenting their research orally, preparing job and graduate or professional school applications, and interviewing. Every biology student will benefit from this book!"--Andrea Henle, Carthage College

"Writing in the Biological Sciences covers a variety of written communication topics that scientists encounter, from lab reports, to note-taking, to resume and curriculum vitae construction. I highly recommend this text to anyone in the biological sciences."--Judith D. Ochrietor, University of North Flordia

"This is an ideal resource for undergraduate students in the biological sciences to learn how to write in a variety of formats, including for peer-reviewed literature. The material is presented clearly and succinctly."--Jeffrey H. Toney, Kean University