Technical Communication

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

Majors develop advanced skills in multiple aspects of technical communication and apply their knowledge of technical communication to a specific discipline. Technical Communication majors must take 33 credits within the major, and 6 hours in a designated area of concentration related to science, technology, or design (an acceptable minor will also fulfill this requirement).

ENGL 214	Introduction to Technical Communication	3
ENGL 310	Rhetorical Analysis	3
ENGL 313	Rhetorical Website Design	3
ENGL 314	Technical Communication	3
ENGL 415	Business and Technical Editing	3
ENGL 416	Visual Aspects of Business and Technical Communication	3
Electives: 9 credits (with at least 6 credits from 400 or above courses)		9
ENGL 220	Descriptive English Grammar
ENGL 302	Business Communication
ENGL 309	Proposal and Report Writing
SP CM 312	Business and Professional Speaking
ENGL 312	Biological Communication
ENGL 350	Rhetorical Traditions
ENGL 418	Seminar in Argumentation
ENGL 477	Seminar in Technical Communication
ENGL 487	Internship in Business, Technical, and Professional Communication
ENGL 542	Document Design and Editing
ENGL 549	Multimedia and Interaction Design
Designated Area of Concentration (DAC) in technical, scientific, or design field		6
Total Credits		33

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 33 credits in TComm (including 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
ENGL 214	Introduction to Technical Communication
ENGL 302	Business Communication
ENGL 309	Proposal and Report Writing
ENGL 310	Rhetorical Analysis
ENGL 312	Biological Communication
ENGL 313	Rhetorical Website Design
ENGL 332	Visual Communication of Quantitative Information
ENGL 350	Rhetorical Traditions
or with the appropriate prerequisites
ENGL 411	Technology, Rhetoric, and Professional Communication
ENGL 415	Business and Technical Editing
ENGL 416	Visual Aspects of Business and Technical Communication
ENGL 418	Seminar in Argumentation
ENGL 477	Seminar in Technical Communication
ENGL 529	Content Management
ENGL 542	Document Design and Editing
ENGL 549	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. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement. 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.