The Technical Communication major (and minor) prepares students for workplace writing in careers that involve information—particularly scientific, workplace, and technical information. Emphasis is placed on researching, thinking critically, collaborating (often with subject matter experts), organizing, writing, editing, designing, and presenting information clearly. TComm is sometimes a second major for students in technical, scientific, or engineering fields, and often a second major or minor for students who major in English.
Technical Communication Major Requirements
Technical Communication majors must take 34-36 credits within the major and 6 hours in a designated area of concentration related to technology, science, or design (an acceptable minor will also fulfill this requirement). Majors develop advanced skills in multiple aspects of technical communication and apply their knowledge of technical communication to a specific discipline.
| ENGL 310 | Rhetorical Analysis | 3 |
| ENGL 314 | Technical Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 350 | Rhetorical Traditions | 3 |
| ENGL 487 | Internship in Business, Technical, and Professional Communication | 1-3 |
| Choose 3: | 9 | |
| (Note: Students planning to take ENGL 415 Business and Technical Editing in the future should take ENGL 220 Descriptive English Grammar for 3 of these credits.) | ||
| Introduction to Technical Communication | ||
| Descriptive English Grammar | ||
| Business Communication | ||
| Proposal and Report Writing | ||
| Biological Communication | ||
| Rhetorical Website Design | ||
| Visual Communication of Quantitative Information | ||
| Choose 5: | 15 | |
| Technology, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication | ||
| Business and Technical Editing | ||
| Visual Aspects of Business and Technical Communication | ||
| Seminar in Argumentation | ||
| Seminar in Technical Communication | ||
| Content Management | ||
| Document Design and Editing | ||
| Multimedia and Interaction Design | ||
| Designated Area of Concentration (DAC) in technical, scientific, or design field | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 40-42 | |
Designated Area of Concentration Courses
The Designated Area of Concentration (DAC) is a student-designed grouping of related courses in a technical, scientific, or design field that will meet the student's professional or academic interests. Courses for the 6-credit DAC must be taken outside the English Department and approved by the Technical Communication Program Adviser. A second major or a minor in areas such as computer science, social science, natural science, entrepreneurial studies, design studies, engineering studies, or another technical, scientific, or design field may substitute for the DAC.
Technical Communication, B.S.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 150 (or Engl 250 by placement or transfer credit) | 3 | Social Science Choice | 3 |
| Humanities Choice | 3 | Natural Science Choice | 3 |
| Foreign Language/Elective | 4 | Humanities Choice | 3 |
| MATH or STAT | 3 | Foreign Language/Elective | 4 |
| LIB 160 | 1 | Elective or Minor | 3 |
| Elective or Minor | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| TComm Elective from List - ENGL 200+ | 3 | Technical/Scientific/Design Course | 3 |
| Social Science Choice | 3 | ENGL 314 | 3 |
| U.S. Diversity Choice | 3 | ENGL 300+ | 3 |
| Natural Science Choice | 3 | ENGL 310 | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | 3 | Humanities Choice | 3 |
| Computers in the Study of English (if student took ENGL 150 semester 1) | Natural Science Choice | 2 | |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 300+ | 3 | ENGL 350 | 3 |
| International Perspectives Choice | 3 | Elective or Minor | 3 |
| TCOM Elective from List - ENGL 400+ | 3 | TCOM Elective from List - ENGL 400+ | 3 |
| Humanities Choice | 3 | Technical/Scientific/Design Course | 3 |
| Social Science Choice | 3 | Electives or Minor | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Technical/Scientific/Design Course | 3 | ENGL 487 | 3 |
| TComm Elective from List - ENGL 400+ | 3 | TComm Elective from List - ENGL 400+ | 3 |
| TCOMM Elective from List - ENGL 400+ | 6 | Electives or Minor | 6 |
| Electives or Minor | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
Technical Communication Major Requirements Technical Communication majors are required to have, in addition to ISUComm foundation courses (ENGL 150 Critical Thinking and Communication and ENGL 250 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition), at least 34 credits in TComm and 6 credits in a designated area of concentration. Majors transferring from other institutions must take at least 18 of their credits in TComm while in residence at Iowa State. | |
To graduate with a major in Technical Communication and meet the university-wide Communication Proficiency Grade Requirement, a student must have credit for ENGL 150 Critical Thinking and Communication and earn at least a C (not C-) in ENGL 250 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition as well as in each of the courses taken to fulfill the program of study, including one advanced communication course. | |
Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. diversity and a three-credit course in international perspectives. Check (http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/courses/div-ip-guide.html) for a list of approved courses. (http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/ courses/div-ip-guide.html) Discuss with your adviser how the two courses that you select can be applied to your graduation plan. LAS majors require a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 300/400 level. You must also complete the LAS foreign language requirement. |
Technical Communication Minor Requirements
The department offers a minor in Technical Communication, which students may earn by completing the following:
| ENGL 314 | Technical Communication | 3 |
| Choose 4: | 12 | |
| Introduction to Technical Communication | ||
| Business Communication | ||
| Proposal and Report Writing | ||
| Rhetorical Analysis | ||
| Biological Communication | ||
| Rhetorical Website Design | ||
| Visual Communication of Quantitative Information | ||
| Rhetorical Traditions | ||
| or with the appropriate prerequisites | ||
| Technology, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication | ||
| Business and Technical Editing | ||
| Visual Aspects of Business and Technical Communication | ||
| Seminar in Argumentation | ||
| Seminar in Technical Communication | ||
| Content Management | ||
| Document Design and Editing | ||
| Multimedia and Interaction Design | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Nine of the 15 credits must be 300 level or above and students must earn a grade of C (not C-) or higher in each course taken in the minor. Up to 6 of the 15 credits taken for the minor may be used to meet other degree program requirements. Students may design their minor programs around their own interests but are encouraged to work with the Technical Communication Program Adviser.
Note: Students should check the ISU catalog to be sure that they meet prerequisites if they intend to register for 400+ courses.