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Technical Communication

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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The Technical Communication major (and minor) prepares students for careers that involve writing and designing a wide range of texts, including online content. The major prepares students to make scientific, business, and technical information clear and usable for their intended audiences. Courses emphasize research, critical thinking, collaboration (with other content developers and subject-matter experts), organization, writing, editing, and design. Some students double major in Technical Communication and a technical or scientific field. Technical Communication is also often a second major or minor for students who major in English.

BS in Technical Communication Learning Outcomes

Students who major in Technical Communication will be able to

  • compose a wide range of print and online documents for use in business, schools, and communities.
  • understand technical and scientific information and strategies for producing texts to communicate that information to others.
  • describe and use the theories that assess print and online documents, collaboration, organizational activities, and various technologies.
  • demonstrate mastery of concepts from organizational culture and visual communication, including collaborative writing and clear professional/technical documentation.
  • identify specific audience needs in rapidly changing digital and print environments.
  • identify and create user-friendly interfaces; understand and put into practice strategies to enable the optimal usability of documents.