Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication Degree Requirements
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates who earn a BS in Technical Communication will be able to:
- Design information for print and electronic formats, using multiple modalities.
- Produce materials that address contexts outside the classroom (real or simulated).
- Produce documents that meet the needs of diverse audience (same topic for more than one audience such as old/young, lay/technical, multicultural).
- Conduct and use research effectively.
- Use ethical standards in citation, visual design, and language.
- Write clearly and effectively.
Degree Requirements
To complete a BS in Technical Communication, students must satisfy the “Requirements for CHSS Majors” and fulfill the coursework listed below.
Common Core Requirements
See listing under Common Core Requirements in the UHD catalog.
Preparatory Requirements
(Courses in this area can be reused from the common core)
3 Lower-Level Hours in Lit.:
Complete 3 semester credit hours from:
- ENG 2301 - Survey of World Literature: Ancient to 17th Century
- ENG 2302 - Survey of World Literature: 17th Century and Beyond
- ENG 2305 - Literature and Culture
- ENG 2311 - Survey of American Literature: Beginnings to 1865
- ENG 2312 - Survey of American Literature: 1865 to Present
- ENG 2313 - Survey of British Literature: Beginnings to 1800
- ENG 2314 - Survey of British Literature: 1800 to Present
Major Requirements
3 Hours in Theory:
Complete 3 semester credit hours from:
- TCOM 3317 - Studies in the Theory of Rhetoric
- TCOM 3327 - Visual Rhetoric and Literacy
- TCOM 3339 - Digital Media Theory
- TCOM 3349 - Rhetoric of Technology
3 Hours in Research:
Complete 3 semester credit hours from:
- TCOM 3325 - Medical Writing
- TCOM 3338 - Introduction to Usability
- TCOM 4306 - Science Writing
- TCOM 4323 - Feature Writing for Business and Industry
3 Hours in Software:
Complete 3 semester credit hours from:
- TCOM 3328 - Documentation and Manuals
- TCOM 3330 - Desktop Publishing
- TCOM 3335 - Publishing for the Web
- TCOM 4340 - Social Media Writing
Or any other software course with departmental approval.
15 Hours in Specialty:
Complete 15 semester credit hours from the following:
- ENG 3305 - Essay Writing
- ENG 3309 - Introduction to Creative Writing
- ENG 3320 - History of the English Language
- ENG 3345 - Workshop in Creative Nonfiction
- TCOM 3308 - Legal Writing
- TCOM 3316 - History of Rhetoric
- TCOM 3317 - Studies in the Theory of Rhetoric
- TCOM 3325 - Medical Writing
- TCOM 3326 - Proposal Writing
- TCOM 3327 - Visual Rhetoric and Literacy
- TCOM 3328 - Documentation and Manuals
- TCOM 3329 - Environmental Writing
- TCOM 3330 - Desktop Publishing
- TCOM 3333 - Writing for the Media
- TCOM 3334 - Writing for Presentation
- TCOM 3335 - Publishing for the Web
- TCOM 3336 - Writing for the Web
- TCOM 3338 - Introduction to Usability
- TCOM 3339 - Digital Media Theory
- TCOM 3349 - Rhetoric of Technology
- TCOM 3371 - Public Relations Writing
- TCOM 3373 - Introduction to Advertising
- TCOM 3390 - Topics in Technology Studies & Strategies *
- TCOM 4306 - Science Writing
- TCOM 4308 - Plain Language in Government, Medical, and Business Writing
- TCOM 4318 - Advanced Studies in English Grammar and Style
- TCOM 4322 - Editing, Rewriting and Copyreading
- TCOM 4323 - Feature Writing for Business and Industry
- TCOM 4339 - Video Game Story Writing
- TCOM 4340 - Social Media Writing
- TCOM 4680 - Field Experience in Technical Communication ^
Field Experience Requirement
TCOM 4380 - Field Experience in Technical Communication ^
Portfolio Requirement
TCOM 4099 - Technical Communication Portfolio
Note:
*Course may be repeated when topic varies.
^Student may not take both TCOM 4380 and TCOM 4680.
Supplemental Content Requirements
12 SCHs in Supplemental Content: complete 12 semester credit hours in any single discipline
or area of study outside of Technical Communication or 12 hours of writing-intensive
courses. At least 9 of these semester credit hours must be at the 33XX or 43XX level.
Free Electives
Upper or lower division courses may be applied to this area, with the exceptions described
under the “Requirements for CHSS Majors,” so that the student’s entire coursework,
including the course listed in the above areas, totals 120 semester credit hours.