Courses

TCM 220 Technical Report Writing (3) Class: 3 Lab: 0 Rec: 0 P: ENG W131 or equivalent C: None Extensive application of the principles of clear writing in industrial reporting, with emphasis on adaptation to the audience; organization of ideas; and a concise, objective writing style.

TCM 320 Written Communication in Science and Industry (3) Class: 3 Lab: 0 Rec: 0 P: ENG W131 or equivalent; junior standing or consent C: None Analysis of current writing practices in technology and science, especially in organizational settings. Practice in designing and preparing reports for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Description for the online section of TCM 320

TCM 340 Correspondence in Business and Industry (3) Class: 3 Lab: 0 Rec: 0 P: ENG W131 or equivalent C: None The development and application of strategies and skills for writing letters for business and industry in technology and engineering. Applications may include resumes and letters of application, informational and persuasive letters, and in-house memoranda.

TCM 350 Visual Elements of Technical Documents (3) Class: 3 Lab: 0 Rec: 0 P: TCM 220 or consent of instructor C: None Methods and principles of illustrating technical reports and manuals. The role of the technical writer in the company, basics of visual design, visuals for manuals, visualization of technical data, and modern technology available to technical writers.

TCM 360 Communication in Engineering Practice (2) Class: 1 Lab: 0 Rec: 2 P: ENG W131 and COMM R110 or equivalents C: None Junior standing or consent of instructor. The application of rhetorical principles to written and oral communication in the engineering professions. Planning, drafting, and revising professional engineering reports; planning and delivering oral presentations; organizing information; developing persuasive arguments.

TCM 370 Oral Practicum for Technical Managers (3) Class: 3 Lab: 0 Rec: 0 P: COMM R110 with a grade of C or better. C: None The practical application of effective listening and speaking skills in situations typical for managers and supervisors in technology and engineering. Applications may include one-to-one conversations in supervisory management, such as hiring interviews and performance reviews; technical training programs; group discussions in work units, committees, and task forces; informal presentations, including program and status reports; formal technical presentations; communication in international industrial environments.

TCM 395 Independent Study (1 to 3 cr.) P: Consent of the instructor. Individualized project approved by instructor consenting to direct and by program coordinator. Credit varies with the scope of the project. May be repeated for a total of 4 credit hours.

TCM 420 Field Experience (1 to 3 cr.) P: Consent of the instructor. Full or part-time work experience in technical communications, supervised by a qualified professional in the cooperating organization and a faculty advisor. Requires periodic written and oral reports and final comprehensive written and oral reports on work experience and required readings. Credit varies with scope of project. May be repeated for a total of 4 credit hours.

TCM 425 Managing Document Quality (3 cr.):  This course examines and applies principles of creating technical publications in order to pursue quality management of the process.  Students will create effective publications by identifying and intervening in crucial points in the documentation cycle – planning, researching, designing, drafting, reviewing, testing, and revising. 

TCM 435 Portfolio Preparation (1 cr. P/F) Individual work on preparation of portfolio highlighting abilities gained while pursuing the technical communications certificate.

TCM 450: Research Approaches for Professional and Technical Communication (3 cr.): Examines quantitative and qualitative research techniques practiced by professionals working in technical and business communication.  It explores both primary (i.e. field) and secondary (i.e. library) research approaches for learning about content, audience, and publication design. 

TCM 460 Engineering Communication in Academic Contexts (2 cr) Class:1 Lab: 0 Rec: 2 P: ENG W131 and COMM R110 or equivalents; senior or graduate standing or consent of instructor. Analysis of situations and genres of written and oral communication of engineering information in academic contexts. Application of rhetorical principles in preparing and delivering written and oral presentations of engineering information.

TCM 499 Special Topics (1 to 3 cr.) Topics of current and specialized interest for technical communications. Hours and subject matter to be arranged by staff. May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours.