The scientific community has different norms for writing than the academic community as a whole. For example, the scientific paper has a relatively standard structure that is widely accepted and followed. Whether writing for a scientific journal or an informal blog post, scientists should be aware of the standards in their field and how to effectively communicate with their chosen audience.
The following resources provide introductions to the forms of communication used by scientists and norms within the field.
Effective Science Communication by 
ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication by MSU students are expected to "to submit original work and give credit to other peoples' ideas." However, proper attribution and citation practices are expected throughout the entire scientific community.
Students should familiarize themselves with both: