Students will receive two different manuscripts to review (following the guideline " instructions to referees" from a major international journal) by January 7, 2006 and must submit their written evaluation to Prof. McNeil no later than February 7, 2006.
During the course the manuscripts will be discussed, both for general scientific content (recognizing that the different papers will not be specific research fields of the students enrolled in the course) as well as the format used to present the material.

Each student will also prepare a point form outline of a paper based on their own research, clearly showing what information they will place in each section of the manuscript. This is to be sent to Prof. McNeil as a Power Point presentation by February 7, 2006. This must be prepared by the student and not based on a paper that has already been published or submitted for publication. Each one will be discussed during the course.

Through these two exercises we will examine general rules related to the preparation of a scientific publication.

Dates: 4 days: Monday 6, Tuesday 7, Monday 20, Tuesday 21 March, 2006

Schedule: 8.55 - 17.05

Location: University of Neuchâtel, Uni Mail, Institut de chimie, room B1

Credit points: 2.5 credit points (Communication)

Evaluation: Active participation including preparation (home work as described; please note the deadlines)

This course is opened to all Ph.D. student, however priority is given to NCCR Plants and their Environment Graduate School participants and NCCR Plant Survival Ph.D. students. Postdocs and diploma students are welcome depending on availability

Minimum number of participants: 8, maximum: 15.