5 Scientific Writing Skills for UC Davis Genetics Majors: Noora’s Story

Scientific writing serves as an important bridge between groundbreaking research and overall understanding, especially in a field that’s as complex as genetics and genomics.

At UC Davis, a strong foundation in scientific writing sets genetics majors up for success. It allows them to communicate intricate findings clearly, tackle academic challenges, and build confidence for promising future careers.

Noora Mathur is one of the best examples of this. A Genetics and Genomics major with a minor in Public Health Sciences at  UC Davis, Noora has mastered scientific writing to excel in her academics and research.  

From her undergraduate research on cell signaling pathways to the work she’s done mentoring high school students through Polygence, scientific writing has been a cornerstone throughout her story.

Why Scientific Writing Matters in Genetics at UC Davis

Why is scientific writing so important for UC Davis genetics majors? Let’s break it down:

Role of Communication in Research-Heavy Majors

Genetics majors at UC Davis grapple daily with some of the most intricate aspects of science, like gene expression, congenital disorders, and cell signaling, to name a few. Without clear scientific writing skills, even the most groundbreaking and impactful research can lose its impact, with the message falling flat before it reaches the eyes of the right readers.

Whether it’s articulating research findings in genetics journals or presenting a conference poster, writing is how scientists make their discoveries resonate across demographics. 

Not Your Run-of-the-Mill High School Essays

Scientific writing isn’t your classic five-paragraph essay about literary themes. It’s precise, objective, and formatted meticulously to deliver a specific purpose. At UC Davis, genetics students learn to master a tone that’s formal, yet accessible. In an interview, Noora recalled that transitioning to writing lab reports and literature reviews in college marked a significant departure from high school writing styles.  

Structuring Scientific Writing with IMRAD

One of the first things genetics majors at UC Davis learn is that scientific writing isn’t freeform — it follows a time-tested structure. Most research papers in biology and related fields use the IMRAD format: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.

This structure provides a logical flow for readers:

• Introduction: sets up the problem and background.

• Methods: explains how the experiment or study was conducted.

• Results: presents the data clearly and objectively.

• Discussion: interprets the findings, connects them to past studies, and explains why they matter.

By mastering IMRAD early, students gain a tool they can use repeatedly across classes, labs, and even their future careers in medicine or research.

Writing to Decode Complex Concepts

There’s no sugarcoating it: genetics is complicated. Writing clearly about genomic studies is a necessary skill, but it’s easier said than done. For Noora, her research into congenital heart defects (a topic deeply connected to her own personal story) required not only deep understanding but also the ability to express these ideas in a way others could grasp. 

Common Writing Challenges Genetics Majors Face

It’s no secret that scientific writing is some of the most challenging in academia, but genetics majors face particular hurdles:

Adjusting to the Rigors of College Writing  

High school essays? Ancient history. College-level demands hit hard and fast, especially when genetics majors are expected to write lab reports, literature reviews, and even research papers as undergraduates.  

Mastering the Jargon  

What do you do when your work revolves around polypeptides, methylation, or microarrays? Learning how to incorporate complex, discipline-specific language while maintaining accessibility is tougher than it sounds.  

Conciseness and Word Choice in Genetics

In scientific writing, less is often more. Long, flowery sentences can confuse readers, while short, precise statements sharpen the argument. For genetics majors at the university level, choosing the right terminology (like “methylation” or “transcription factor”) while cutting unnecessary filler makes research papers stronger.

Synthesizing a Forest of Literature  

Genetics research doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Instead, it builds upon countless earlier studies. Students like Noora must skillfully assess, summarize, and critique dizzying amounts of published research to inform their own work.  

Keeping Up With Everything Else  

On top of demanding writing tasks, genetics majors balance research work, rigorous coursework, and extracurricular commitments. Without strong time-management strategies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, which is something Noora knows all too well. 

She stated, “One of the biggest challenges is handling everything at once. It gets extremely overwhelming, especially in the first year. You have to manage classes, which are a whole different level than in high school, as well as finding extracurriculars and making friends. It can easily get overwhelming. It did for me.”

Noora’s 5 Key Scientific Writing Skills for Success

Clearly, scientific writing isn’t easy, but there are several writing skills Noora’s mastered to put her on the path to success. 

Here are a few: 

Conducting Comprehensive Literature Reviews

From day one, genetics majors at UC Davis are expected to take a deep dive into existing literature, collecting and evaluating research papers on relevant topics to support their own understanding of a topic. For Noora, this came to life during her Polygence project, in which her literature review explored congenital heart defects. 

Noora’s advice is to start by organizing papers by themes or questions they address. Summarize the findings with an emphasis on what’s missing or contradictory in the research, as this often becomes the springboard for your own work. 

Organizing Complex Information Clearly

Scientific writing, like any other type of writing, thrives on structure. A well-organized paper with distinct sections (introduction, abstract, methods, results, discussion) makes intricate, complicated research more digestible. 

Heading hierarchies and clear transitions are also important, as they help readers follow the logic effortlessly. Even for seasoned writers, outlining saves time and reduces endless drafts.

Writing with Precision and Objectivity

Good scientific writing is lean and factual, with no room for fluff, ambiguity, or unnecessary flair. That doesn’t mean it has to be dry. 

One of the biggest lessons you’ll need to learn is how to write with clarity while using technical (yet approachable) language. Noora credits much of her growth to Polygence, where mentors helped her refine her work without losing its essence.

Revising and Editing for Clarity and Flow

The mantra for a genetics major at UC Davis (or anywhere else, for that matter)? Always revise. 

Good writing seldom happens on the first draft, so editing for clarity, grammar, and logical flow is a must. Seeking feedback from trusted mentors, peers, or even workshops is equally invaluable; Noora recalls how Polygence coaches pushed her to refine her paper to near-professional quality.

Citing Sources Properly

It’s common for citation styles to feel like an afterthought, until they’re not. Genetics majors at UC Davis must become fluent in citation formats like APA or AMA, recognizing that proper sourcing not only avoids plagiarism but establishes scientific credibility. Citation managers can help streamline the process, saving you time amidst the flurry of deadlines.

How Noora Balances Writing with Her UC Davis Experience

Writing, of course, is just one thread in the colorful tapestry of a genetics major’s life at UC Davis. Noora shares that, early on, she struggled with juggling classes, research, and personal commitments. 

Her strategy? Prioritise one career-focused activity, and one purely for fun.

For Noora, the career activity was volunteering in a student-run clinic where research and patient care intersected. For fun, it was joining an Indian dance team, where competitions brought stress relief and community. These complementary pursuits not only balanced her schedule but also kept her motivated during challenging times.

When it came to academic support, UC Davis had her back. The undergraduate research center offered seminars on research skills, alongside mentorship programs. They even hosted an annual research conference, where students like Noora got the chance to showcase their findings through poster presentations. 

Leveraging Scientific Writing for Future Goals

Noora is living, breathing proof that scientific writing doesn't just serve you well in college, but also well into your future. She credits her writing skills with building the confidence she needed to present at conferences and preparing technical research reports in clinics and labs. A long-term career aspiration in pediatric cardiology means engaging with patients and professionals alike, something her writing experience has prepared her well for.

What’s more, scientific writing has given Noora the opportunity to mentor others. Through her role at Polygence, she’s guided high school students on their own research journeys and combined her expertise with a deeply rooted passion for teaching.

Building Confidence Beyond the University

For Noora, scientific writing has grown into more than just an academic skill. It’s become a lifelong strength that connects her education, her research in biology, and even her mentoring work. Writing gave her the confidence to present at a university research conference, but also to explain congenital heart defects to her family in a way they could understand.

In this sense, scientific writing isn’t just about publishing papers. It’s about communication — a skill that provides genetics majors with opportunities in medicine, teaching, and public outreach long after they graduate.

Building Scientific Writing Confidence for Genetics Majors

At the end of the day, scientific writing is a skill, not an innate talent. Genetics majors at UC Davis might start to feel overwhelmed by the expectations, but rest assured, with practice and support, it does get easier.

Noora’s advice? Tap into campus resources, rely on peers and mentors, and connect your personal passion with your academic pursuits.

Noora’s own health issues gave her research purpose and a deeper meaning, transforming what would otherwise be a challenging task into an emotionally fulfilling one. Genetics majors at UC Davis have the same opportunity to use their life experiences to infuse meaning into their writing. 

Need help getting started? Consider participating in Polygence’s Research Mentors Program or Pods, which will help you hone your writing skills before you ever step foot on campus.

Whether you’re just embarking on your genetics studies or you’re knee-deep in your senior capstone, remember this: every research paper, lab report, and poster presentation sharpens the tools you’ll need for your future. 

Writing might be daunting at first, but with time and effort, it can become an empowering skill that will open doors you never even knew existed.