Technical Technical CommunicationCommunication

A Strategic MinorA Strategic Minorfor Engineersfor Engineers

What is technical What is technical communication?communication?

Technical communication is the process through which specialized information is designed, built, and tested for delivery in appropriate media to the audiences that need to use it.

What media do we use to What media do we use to communicate?communicate?• Print publications – manuals,

instructions, specifications, reports, proposals

• Online media – Web sites, multimedia presentations, distance learning

• New media – blogs, wikis, social networking

• Speaking – presentations & reports

What kinds of work do What kinds of work do we do?we do?• Technical writing, editing• Publications design• Advertising and marketing• Web design and management• Multimedia design• Instructional design• Engineering management and

communication

What is a TCO minor?What is a TCO minor?15 hours of coursework (5 classes) in the Technical Communication Department

– Technical Communication (TCO 341)– Document & Web Design (TCO 285) – required

for the TCO minor– Plus any 3 other courses in the TCO program

How do you fit those courses How do you fit those courses into your curriculum?into your curriculum?

• All engineering students are already required to take TCO 341.

• All BSE students are required to take 2 humanities/social science/comm electives

• All BS-IDM students are required to take 3 humanities/social science/comm electives

What other courses do What other courses do we offer?we offer?• Multimedia• Communication in Management• Usability• Instructional Design• Visual Communication• Technical Editing• Applied Multimedia• International Technical Communication• Communication in High-tech Environments• Social Media Management

The TCO minor might …The TCO minor might …• Be the professional edge you need to

get the engineering job you want• Put you in a leadership position in

your engineering job• Polish your communication skills to a

high degree• Make you even more attractive to

employers

PS: The TCO major is also PS: The TCO major is also very transfer-friendlyvery transfer-friendly

Most of the courses freshman engineers take are also required by the TCO curriculum.

Do you have any questions?Do you have any questions?