Master
2026/2027
Research Seminar "Current Trends and Research Dialogue in Chemistry". Part 1
Type:
Compulsory course (Chemistry of Molecular Systems and Materials)
Delivered by:
Joint Department of Organic Chemistry with the RAS Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry
Where:
Faculty of Chemistry
When:
1 year, 1, 2 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
48
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course analyzes how contemporary chemical research addresses significant scientific issues while fostering independent and critical thinking. It focuses on emerging directions such as sustainable chemical technologies, advanced functional materials, energy and environmental solutions, and data-driven molecular design. Students will practice analyzing original content, generating research questions, and positioning their own investigations within global research frameworks. A strong emphasis is placed on scientific communication: participants will develop skills in writing papers and short proposals, delivering research talks, designing effective figures, and engaging in scholarly discussion and peer review. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to communicate complex chemical ideas to both specialist and interdisciplinary audiences and to contribute more confidently to international scientific collaboration.
Learning Objectives
- This course aims to develop graduate students' ability to critically analyze contemporary chemical research and to communicate complex chemical ideas effectively to both specialist and interdisciplinary audiences. By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate primary literature, formulate original research questions, write and present research in standard scientific formats (papers, abstracts, posters, grant proposals, and patents), engage constructively in peer review and scholarly discussion, and use AI writing tools responsibly — preparing them to contribute confidently to international scientific collaboration.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge of conventional approaches used for collection and interpretation of data on publications and patents
- A student compares research design
- The students will develop skills necessary for successful participation in seminars and for writing papers in English
- * Students develop analytical and critical thinking skills, as well as reading and writing skills; work with both primary and secondary sources of information; provide one’s own opinion, and take part in arguments on a variety of topics (individually or in small groups).
- Students will be able to critically analyse scientific literature, formulate original research questions in an international context, and communicate chemical research effectively to specialist, interdisciplinary, and non-specialist audiences, including through grant proposals.
- Students will be able to search, retrieve, visualise, and statistically evaluate structural data from chemical databases, particularly the CSD, and use reliable structural and bibliographic evidence responsibly in research and publications.
- Students will be able to prepare scientifically rigorous journal articles, abstracts, graphical abstracts, and patent-oriented materials, applying IMRaD principles, publication ethics, intellectual-property considerations, and responsible AI-assisted writing practices.
Course Contents
- General Principles and Methods of Scientific Communication
- Structural Chemical Databases and Information Literacy
- Scientific Writing (Papers, Patents) and Use of AI Writing Assistants
- Conferences, Abstracts, Oral Communication and Peer Review
Assessment Elements
- Article analysis
- Short talk & presentation (database in chemistry)
- Outline for a Scientific Article
- Oral Presentation on the Student’s Research Topic
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 2nd module0.25 * Article analysis + 0.25 * Oral Presentation on the Student’s Research Topic + 0.25 * Outline for a Scientific Article + 0.25 * Short talk & presentation (database in chemistry)
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- 50 steps to improving your academic writing : study book, Sowton, C., 2012
- 50 steps to improving your academic writing. Study book, Sowton, Ch., 2012
- A practical guide to scientific data analysis, Livingstone, D., 2010
- A short history of scientific thought, Henry, J., 2012
- An easyguide to research presentations, Wilson, J. H., 2015
- Fundamentals of database indexing and searching, Bhattacharya, A., 2016
- How to write and publish a scientific paper, Gastel, B., 2017
- Scientific writing and publishing : a comprehensive manual for authors, Wheatley, D. N., 2021
- Writing for scholarly publication, Huff, A. S., 1999
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- 100 Years with Nobel Laureates : 100 special articles written by Nobel Laureates exclusively for Encyclopaedia Britannica, , 2001
- 11 essentials of effective writing, Radaskiewicz McNeely, A. M., 2014
- Two hundred years of accounting research : an international survey of personalities, ideas and publications (from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twenty-first century), Mattessich, R., 2011