Courses are listed sequentially by number:
Introductory (200-level) courses
271: Technical Communication
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.
272: Business Communication
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.
Undergraduate (400-level) courses
468: Document Design and Usability (4)
Covers approaches to the design, development, and testing of (print and online) technical documents, focusing on feedback-driven design and usability testing.
469: Project Management in Technical Communication (4)
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.
471: Visual Technical Communication (4)
This course provides analysis and training focused on concepts and practices of visual design as they relate to technical and professional communication.
472: Topics in Technical Communication (1-4)
Overview of technical communication theory with emphasis on contemporary approaches. Hands-on workshop which implements the theories discussed. May be repeated with different subject matter.
473: Desktop Publishing (4)
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.
474: Researching & Writing Technical Reports (4)
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.
475: Editing Technical Publications (4)
Editing the content, organization, format, style, and mechanics of documents, managing the production cycle of documents, and discovering and learning microcomputer and software applications for technical editing tasks.
476: Online Documentation (4)
This course serves as an introduction to the conventions and strategies for publishing online documentation and for managing online documentation projects. Topics will include 1) analyzing users and tasks; 2) designing and writing documents to be published online; 3) testing on-line documents; and 4) managing online documentation projects.
477: Technical Documentation, Policies, & Procedures (4)
Creating both on-line 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).
478: Technical & Scientific Lit (4)
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.
479: Rhetorical Theory Applied to Technical Documents (4)
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.
480: Proposals (4)
Practice in the development and production of proposals, focusing on the researching, writing, and management of proposals by technical communicators.
498: Internship (1-6)
Students gain experience in technical communication by working on site for corporations, institutions, or nonprofit organizations performing technical communication duties.
Internship forms and FAQ
Graduate (500-level) courses
568: Document Design and Usability (4)
Covers approaches to the design, development, and testing of (print and online) technical documents, focusing on feedback-driven design and usability testing.
569: Project Management in Technical Communication (4)
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.
571: Visual Technical Communication (4)
Analysis and training focused on concepts and practices of visual design as they relate to technical and professional communication.
572: Topics in Technical Communication (1-4)
Topics in theory and practice of technical communication. Hands-on course which implements the theories discussed. May be repeated with different subject matter.
573: Desktop Publishing (4)
Overview 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. Course will meet in both PC and Macintosh labs.
574: Researching & Writing Technical Reports (4)
Practice in writing various types of reports for a variety of purposes and audiences. Includes study of primary and secondary research methods.
575: Editing Technical Publications (4)
Editing the content, organization, format, style, and mechanics of documents; managing the production cycle of documents, and discovering and learning microcomputer and software applications for technical editing tasks.
576: Online Documentation (4)
This course serves as an introduction to the conventions and strategies for publishing online documentation and for managing online documentation projects. Topics will include 1) analyzing users and tasks; 2) designing and writing documents to be published online; 3) testing on-line documents; and 4) managing online documentation projects.
577: Technical Documentation, Policies, & Procedures (4)
Creating both on-line and hard copy 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, and usability testing.
Graduate (600-level) seminars
673: Research & Theory Technical Communication
Seminar for students engaged in conducting a major research project in the technical communication field. Emphasizes theoretical approaches to research, development and implementation of the individual research project, and presentation and publication opportunities in professional writing.
674: Topics in Technical Communication (1-3)
Topics relating to theory and practice of technical communication. May be repeated with different subject matter.
678: Technical & Scientific Prose (3)
Analysis of fiction and literary nonfiction that treats technical and scientific themes.
679: Rhetorical Theory Applied to Technical Documents (3)
Appliction of rhetorical theory to technical documents, including examination of how workplace cultures shape writing assumptions and approaches.
680: Proposals (3)
Theory and practice in the development and production of proposals, focusing on the researching, writing, and management of proposals by technical communicators.
694: Alternate Plan Paper (1-2)
Independent capstone experience, focusing on secondary research sources; paper may have other guidelines specific to the program option.
APP guidelines
698: Internship (3-4)
On-site field experience, the nature of which is determined by the specific needs of the student's program option.
Internship forms and FAQ
699: Thesis (3-4)
Independent capstone experience, guidelines of which are determined by the requirements of a particular program option.
Thesis guidelines
