Make Your Mark in Science

This book is a guide for graduate students, doctoral students and beginning professional scientists and engineers on the art of communicating their scientific achievements in oral presentations and written publications. There is a need for such a book because college and university courses rarely address topics of creativity. A degree is not enough Make Your Mark in Science gives the young scientist the guidance and support much needed during the challenging early years of his or her career. It helps build the skills necessary to become successful in the world of professional science by answering the often neglected but career-defining questions of: How do I work creatively once I have left exams and course books behind? How do I effectively communicate my scientific achievements in oral presentations and written publications? Should I protect my accomplishments with a patent and, if so, how? Most importantly, this book shows young scientists how to develop their own optimum working habits, an essential ingredient of a successful career in science. In addition, readers will gain an understanding of the machinery of scientific publishing, including electronic publishing. The final chapter is devoted to patents, an area in which scientists frequently fail to recognize and exploit good opportunities. The authors have taken pains to write in a simple, informal style avoiding the minor but cumbersome technical details often encountered in such guides. Nearly every graduate student and working scientist will find useful hints for improving their creativity and communicating their ideas and results effectively. With proven techniques, useful tips, and practical perspectives on building a career in science, this book will enable you, the reader, to Make Your Mark in Science. This excellent guide tells graduate students and other young scientists and engineers everything they need to know to help them work creatively and communicate their achievements in oral presentations and written publications. Also addressing the topics of scientific ethics, electronic publishing, and patents, this concise but comprehensive book will help answer many of the questions faced by novice researchers, thereby making their tasks seem less intimidating.