Technical Communication (BS)

Catalog Year

2022-2023

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

37

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Online

Program Requirements

Major Common Core

Required Introductory Course - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Introduction to learning the written and oral communication of technical information. Assignments include writing and presenting proposals, reports, and documentation. Emphasis on use of rhetorical analysis, computer applications, collaborative writing, and usability testing to complete technical communication tasks in the workplace.

Prerequisites: ENG 101 

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-13

Introduction to business communication. Assignments include writing and presenting proposals, reports, and documentation typical to a business/industry setting. Emphasis on use of rhetorical analysis, software applications, collaboration, and usability testing to complete business communication tasks. Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-13

Introduction to written and visual communication of technical information in agricultural contexts. Through rhetorical analysis, collaborative and independent writing, and usability testing, students will learn strategies to produce clear, concise, accurate, and effective documents and presentations.

Prerequisites: none

Required Courses - Choose 12 Credit(s).

Practice in writing various types of reports for a variety of purposes and audiences. Includes primary and secondary research methods, and data analysis of information to be used in reports.

Prerequisites: ENG 271W or ENG 272W 

Editing the content, organization, format, style, and mechanics of documents; managing the production cycle of documents; and discovering and learning computer and software applications for technical editing tasks.

Prerequisites: none

Creating both online and print documentation for products, with emphasis on computer software and hardware documentation for users. Attention also to policies and procedures as written for a range of uses (e.g., employee handbooks, manufacturing processes, usability testing).

Prerequisites: none

Internship - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). Students with industry experience may petition to substitute 4 400-level elective credits in technical communication for the internship requirement.

On-site field experience, the nature of which is determined by the specific needs of the student's program option. May be repeated with change in topic.

Prerequisites: none

Major Restricted Electives

Major Restricted Electives - Choose 17 - 18 Credit(s). Major Common Core and Electives must total 37 credits

Introduces students to theories of usability and teaches students various methods to evaluate design for usability including heuristic evaluations, card-sorting, task-based evaluations, and fieldwork.

Prerequisites: ENG 271W or ENG 272W

Students learn how to research and write technical information for multiple cultures, both locally and internationally.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to introduce students to technical project management. This introduction is achieved through participation in a simulated project management experience. Assignments include standard documentation associated with project management and reflective writing. Fall, Spring

Prerequisites: ENG 271W

This course provides analysis and training focused on concepts and practices of visual design as they relate to technical and professional communication.

Prerequisites: none

Overview of technical communication theory with emphasis on contemporary approaches. Hands-on workshop which implements the theories discussed.

Prerequisites: none

Brief history of publishing and typography, conventions of desktop publishing, and hardware and software application tools for desktop publishing. Students need not have prior experience with DTP, but some word processing and microcomputer experience will be helpful.

Prerequisites: none

Reading and analysis of stories, novels, poems, essays, and nonfiction accounts that deal with scientific and technological topics. Focus on the role of technology in communication forms and tools.

Prerequisites: none

Overview of prominent rhetorical theories, from classical to contemporary, which are applicable to technical communication. Practical application and implications of the theories emphasized. Additional attention given to current issues such as risk communication and ethics.

Prerequisites: none

Practice in the development and production of proposals, focusing on the researching, writing, and management of proposals by technical communicators.

Prerequisites: none

This course addresses the skills required for technical communication within the context of health and medicine. Students will discuss typical audiences, purposes, and genres of health and medical communication. Students will adapt complex health and medical information for audiences with varying levels of knowledge, demonstrating awareness of audience analysis, visual design, plain language, and ethics.

Prerequisites: none

Specialized workshops in topics such as computer-assisted writing, teaching the writing of poetry in the secondary school, or discipline-specific writing. May be repeated with change in topic. When offered as a creative writing workshop, the course may fulfill a workshop requirement.

Prerequisites: none

Other Graduation Requirements

English Department policy does not permit double-counting of courses for any English major or minor. A minor is required.

Minor

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 14 Credits

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 14 Credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Second Year

Fall - 16 Credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Introduction to learning the written and oral communication of technical information. Assignments include writing and presenting proposals, reports, and documentation. Emphasis on use of rhetorical analysis, computer applications, collaborative writing, and usability testing to complete technical communication tasks in the workplace.

Prerequisites: ENG 101 

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-13

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Other Graduation Requirements Course * 4 credits

Other Graduation Requirements Course * 4 credits

Third Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Practice in writing various types of reports for a variety of purposes and audiences. Includes primary and secondary research methods, and data analysis of information to be used in reports.

Prerequisites: ENG 271W or ENG 272W 

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Other Graduation Requirements Course * 4 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Creating both online and print documentation for products, with emphasis on computer software and hardware documentation for users. Attention also to policies and procedures as written for a range of uses (e.g., employee handbooks, manufacturing processes, usability testing).

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 16 Credits

On-site field experience, the nature of which is determined by the specific needs of the student's program option. May be repeated with change in topic.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Other Graduation Requirements Course * 4 credits

Spring - 12 Credits

Editing the content, organization, format, style, and mechanics of documents; managing the production cycle of documents; and discovering and learning computer and software applications for technical editing tasks.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits