1. A Science-Writing Culture in the Research University: Curricula, Collaborations, and Student Opportunities
Chris Thaiss
University Writing
Program
UC Davis
CCCC Convention
Las Vegas
March 16, 2013

2. At UC Davis… California Diversity in a Rural Ecology
Began as “University Farm” (1906) in the agricultural Sacramento Valley
Has grown to largest UC campus, with 100+ major fields, 80 PhD programs, in all areas, from sciences to arts
Population reflects CA diversity in ethnicities and languages; geographic diversity of students from urban to rural to suburban, coastal, valley, mountain
Increasing number of transnational, multilingual undergrad and grad students
With “land grant” mission, retains the character of its rural locale: with ag and environmental sciences, wine-making, med and vet med among signature programs
WAC culture has grown up over 30 years in concert with this diversity and these emphases

3. Building a Writing Culture from Undergrad First-Year through Graduate School
First-Year Seminars
“Writing for Transfer” in UWP 1
“Writing Experience” (WE) in STEM majors—hundreds of lower division and upper-division courses
Upper-Division “Writing in STEM” courses in UWP
Focus on Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate Publications
The Interdisciplinary Writing Minor
Conversations with Writers and Scientists Discuss Writing
GradPathways: Workshops, Courses, Retreats, Tutoring
CETL courses for TAs, the PHCA, and UIIP grants

4. Collaborations for Writing in STEM
University Writing Academic Technology
Program (UWP) Services (ATS)
Center for Excellence in STEM Departments
Teaching and Learning (CETL)
Univ. Libraries
Office of Graduate Studies (OGS)
Univ. Committees (e.g. Gen Ed)

5. Example 1: First-Year Seminars (Elective)
19 students max
200 seminar topics per year, about 1/3 in STEM
Must be highly interactive, project-based, writing- and speaking-driven
Administered by the UCD Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning:
Some current seminar titles:
Rocket Propulsion
Color in the Winter Landscape
Insects in Industry
Making a Science Film
Animals and Veterinary Medicine in Egypt

6. Example 2: Intro to Biotechnology
Large-enrollment course (120 students) needed by majors in several biosciences fields
Meets GE science requirement, but not the WE requirement; nevertheless, uses writing to deepen learning; one of many science courses that fit this profile
Multi-stage, team research project challenges first- and second-year students to apply course concepts to (1)develop new technologies, then (2) build business plans to test viability, then (3) give oral presentations
Student feedback cycle includes online peer review system created by course faculty
Writing assignments designed by sciences faculty (Yoder, Dandekar) with consultation from UWP

7. Example 3: “Writing in Science” in the University Writing Program
Popular course (20 sections) for Math, Physical Sciences, Biosciences, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences majors
Pre-professional emphasis for students wanting careers in research, medicine and veterinary medicine, public service, and industry
Draws many L2 English writers and int’l students (50%)
Provides practice in research genres, popular scientific writing, and oral-visual presentations
Contributes to increasing number of science majors in the Professional Writing Minor
Science writing featured in UCD student publications and Undergraduate Research Conference

9. Example 4: Undergraduate Publications
Explorations
Published by the Undergraduate Research Center, which also sponsors the Undergraduate
Research Conference
Prized Writing
Annual contest sponsored by UWP
20+ essays—1/2 in STEM—chosen
from 400+ submissions
Honors students and their teachers

10. Example 5: GradPathways
7-year, expanding collaboration among:
Office of Grad Studies
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
University Writing Program
Academic Technology Services
Includes
writing workshops on many topics
dissertation writing retreats
pedagogy courses for TAs and grad student instructors
workshops for faculty supervisors
tutoring by Grad Writing Fellows, etc.

11. Example 6: The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Promotes “active learning” and “flipping the classroom”
“Seminars in College Teaching” for TAs across disciplines
In collaboration with Academic Technology Services and UWP, offers workshops and consultations for all disciplines
Large and small “instructional improvement” grants spur new courses, changes in teaching style, new teaching tools
Expanding venture: Provost’s Hybrid Course Awards (PHCA)
Student writing is seen as part of the mission to enhance interaction, metacognition, and creativity in learning.

12. Pertinent Websites
University Writing Program
UC Davis General Education
UC Davis Undergraduate Research Center
UWP Conversations with Writers
UC Davis Scientists Discuss Writing
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Office of Grad Studies “GradPathways”
Academic Technology Services