English for Biomedical Scientists Ramón Ribes Palma Iannarelli Rafael F. Duarte

Transcription

1 English for Biomedical Scientists Ramón Ribes Palma Iannarelli Rafael F. Duarte

2 Ramón Ribes Palma Iannarelli Rafael F. Duarte English for Biomedical Scientists

3 Ramón Ribes Palma Iannarelli Hospital Reina Sofia University College London Serv. Radiología Gower Street Córdoba London Spain United Kingdom WC1E 6BT Rafael F. Duarte Hospital Duran i Reynals Inst. Català d Oncologia Servicio de Hematología Clinica Av. Gan Via s/n km 2.7, Barcelona Spain ISBN: e-isbn: DOI: / Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London NewYork Library of Congress Control Number: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Violations are liable to prosecution under the German Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Product liability: The publishers cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information about dosage and application contained in this book. In every individual case the user must check such information by consulting the relevant literature. Cover design: Estudio Calamar, F. Steinen-Broo, Pau/Girona, Spain Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (

4 To my sister Carmen Ribes Bautista for always being there. Ramón Ribes To our son, who is a wonderful blend of our three cultures. Rafael F. Duarte & Palma Iannarelli

5 Preface Biomedical scientists wishing to improve their capacity to communicate effectively in scientific English can find a great abundance of texts on the topic, from standard textbooks on English grammar to more practical manuals on scientific writing. Why then, you may wonder, would anyone want to write yet another book about scientific English? The quick answer is that our book is the first one to be aimed at a different group of readers. Other books on scientific English are written exclusively by and for native English speakers. Even the books that have added occasional chapters or appendixes for the benefit of international readers take for granted that their readership s mother tongue is English. The reality is that this is not the case for virtually all international biomedical scientists working in non-english-speaking countries. Even so, they still need to communicate in scientific English on many occasions. Nor is it the case for a very significant percentage of biomedical scientists at early stages in their career training and working at leading universities and research centers in English-speaking countries. Our book is directed at all those international scientists who, in addition to developing their scientific skills, have to face the additional challenge of communicating and being competitive in a language that is not their own. Our book shares with you more than ten years of first-hand experience in various areas associated with the use of English for biomedical scientists. We, the authors, have faced the very challenge that the book describes in our own professional experience. The information contained in this book is as comprehensive as possible, but also presented in a practical, easy-to-read and understandable way with many examples. Some units cover somewhat more general topics on English grammar and English writing applied to biomedical sciences. Others deal with practical professional information such as résumé and cover-letter writing, attendance at international conferences, scientific presentations, or preparing for a successful job interview in English. Finally, there are units on technical aspects such as laboratory environment and writing, safety and biohazards, and animal work. This all-in-one comprehensive combination, with a focus on non-native-english-speaking scientists, makes this book unique. vii

6 viii Preface We welcome your comments and suggestions, critical or otherwise. They will form the basis for an improved next edition of this book. Write to us at Ramón Ribes Palma Iannarelli Rafael F. Duarte

7 Acknowledgments We would like to thank Rafael Duarte-Lesmes for the cartoons in Units XI and XIII. ix

8 Contents Unit I Methodological Approach to English for Biomedical Scientists Introduction... 3 Your First Exercise in English for Biomedical Scientists... 4 Structure of the Book Unit II English Grammar Usage Tenses Talking About the Present Talking About the Future Talking About the Past Modal Verbs Expressing Ability Expressing Necessity Expressing No Necessity Expressing Possibility Expressing Certainty Expressing Permission Expressing Obligation or Giving Advice Conditionals Main Types of Conditional Sentences In Case Unless As Long As, Provided (That), Providing (That) Passive Voice Passive Forms of Present and Past Tenses Have/Get Something Done Supposed To xi

9 xii Contents Reported Speech Reporting in the Present Reporting in the Past Reporting Questions Reporting Orders and Requests Reporting Suggestions and Advice Questions Tag Questions Infinitive/-Ing Verb + -Ing Verb + Infinitive Verb + Preposition + -Ing Countable and Uncountable Nouns Countable Nouns Uncountable Nouns Articles: A/An and The Word Order Relative Clauses Defining Clauses Non-defining Clauses Relative Pronouns Prepositions in Relative Clauses Relative Clauses Without a Pronoun (Special Cases) Adjectives Adjective Order Regular Comparison of Adjectives The Superlative Irregular Forms of Adjectives Comparatives with The As Like and As So and Such Prepositions At/On/In Time For, During, and While By and Until In/At/On Ellipsis Unit III Usual Mistakes Made by Scientistis Speaking and Writing in English Misnomers and False Friends Common Grammatical Mistakes... 64

10 Contents xiii Common Spelling Mistakes Common Pronunciation Mistakes Unit IV Writing a Manuscript Preliminary Work Article Header Title Abstract Keywords Main Text Introduction Materials and Methods Statistics Results Discussion Acknowledgments References Articles in Journals Books and Other Monographs Other Published Material Unpublished Material Electronic Material Additional Material Tables Figures Final Tips Unit V Writing Scientific Correspondence Submission Letters Re-submission Letters Re-configuration Letters Letters of Thanks for an Invitation to Publish an Article in a Journal Asking About the Status of a Paper Other Letters Asking for Permission to Use Someone s Name as a Referee Postponing the Commencement of Duties In Summary

11 xiv Contents Unit VI Attending a Scientific Course or Conference Introduction Travel and Hotel Arrangements Airport During the Flight In the Taxi (US Cab) At the Hotel Course Example General Information Registration Course Planning Unit VII Giving Presentations for Biomedical Scientists Know Your Audience Choose a Relevant Main Message Put Together Your Presentation: Structure and Delivery The Dreaded Questions-and-Comments Section Practice, Practice, Practice Unit VIII Chairing a Scientific Discussion Usual Chairperson s Comments Introducing the Session Introducing Speakers Adjourning Finishing the Session Should Chairpersons Ask Questions? What the Chairperson Should Say When Something Is Going Wrong Behind Schedule Ahead of Schedule Technical Problems Lecturer Lacks Confidence Specific Scientific Chairperson s Comments

12 Contents xv Unit IX Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letters, and Other Professional Letters Professional Correspondence for Biomedical Scientists: General Tips Curriculum Vitae Cover Letter Other Professional Letters Job Acceptance Letter Declination Letter Resignation Letter Reference Letter Unit X Getting Ready for a Job Interview in English You Are More Than Your Level of English You Are More Than Your Résumé Find Out About the Employer and Interviewers You Must Prepare for Your Interview Practice, Practice, Practice What Else Should You do on the Day of the Interview? The Day After: What to do After Your Interview? Questions and Answers Unit XI The Laboratory Environment Commonly Misused or Misunderstood Terms Types of Biomedical Research Laboratories Rooms Within a Large Laboratory Laboratory Equipment and Consumables Glassware Commonly Found in a Laboratory Commonly Used Laboratory Consumables Commonly Used Laboratory Instruments Commonly Used Laboratory Equipment

13 xvi Contents Unit XII Laboratory Writing Scientific Protocols Lab Notebook Entries General Guidelines for Notebook Keeping Laboratory Reports Reagent Recipes Short Notes Unit XIII Laboratory Safety and Biohazards Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Laboratory Safety Equipment Chemical Safety Biological Safety Radiation Safety Safety Quiz Unit XIV Laboratory Animal Work What Is Animal Research? Animal Work Licences Animal Research Facility and Its Staff Space Description Holding Rooms Procedure Rooms Service Rooms Record Keeping Permanent Marking to Identify Individual Animals Cage Cards Data Record Form Transgenic Animals Administrative Techniques Management of Stress and Pain in Animals Signs of Stress and Pain in Animals Classifications of Drugs to Relieve or Control Pain and Stress

14 Contents xvii Humane Methods of Killing Ethical Considerations The 3Rs Principle Additional Resources Unit XV Latin and Greek Terminology Introduction Plural Rules List of Latin and Greek Terms and Their Plurals Unit XVI Acronyms and Abbreviations Abbreviation Rules and Style Conventions in English General Abbreviations and Acronyms Used in Biomedical Research Methods and Techniques Used in Biomedical Research Radioactive Isotopes Cell Lines Units of Measurement Unit XVII Conversation Survival Guide Introduction Greetings Presentations Personal Data Courtesy Sentences Speaking in a Foreign Language At the Restaurant Preliminary Exchanges Ordering Complaining The Check (UK, The Bill) City Transportation Shopping

15 xviii Contents Asking About Store Hours Preliminary Exchanges Buying Clothes/Shoes At the Shoe Shop At the Post Office Going to the Theater (UK, Theatre) At the Drugstore (UK, Chemist) At the Cosmetics Counter At the Bookshop/Newsagent s At the Photography Shop At the Florist Paying At the Hairdresser Cars At the Gas/Petrol Station At the Garage At the Parking Lot (UK, Car Park) Renting a Car How Can I Get to? Having a Drink (or Two) On the Phone Emergency Situations In the Bank At the Police Station