The writing program now offers a minor in business and technical writing to all interested undergraduates in the School of Arts and Sciences.
The primary goal of the business and technical writing minor is to enhance students' writing proficiency in order to increase their eligibility for employment in business and technical professions that require advanced writing competency. The minor provides students with writing training, research practice, computer knowledge, and an internship experience designed to give them professional writing experience.
Requirements:
This minor requires six courses in four key skill areas:
1. Writing Training (6 credits)
Since writing competence is at the heart of the minor, students must complete two writing courses intended to improve writing, editing, collaboration, and general communication skills. Electives may be chosen from among the following writing courses:
01:351:312 Literature and Technology (3)
01:355:202 Technical Writing Essentials (3)
01:355:203 Business Writing Essentials (3)
01:355:315 Writing Grant Proposals (3)
01:355:342 Science Writing (3)
01:355:352 Writing as a Naturalist (3)
01:355:355 Writing in the Professions (3)
01:355:365 Technical Editing (3)
01:355:375 Collaborative Writing Practices (3)
2. Research Practice (3 credits)
In the information and technology economy, the ability to conduct research and use information to develop viable plans of action is essential to success and advancement. Students therefore must complete a research writing course in business or technical writing. These courses will also fulfill most students' second-level writing requirements (consult with your school's academic advising office for specific requirements in your program). Research writing courses include:
01:355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
01:355:303 Writing for Business and Professions (3)
01:355:312 Writing for Biology and Natural Sciences (3)
01:355:315 Writing Grant Proposals (3)
01:355:322 Writing for Engineers (3)
3. Computer Knowledge (6 credits)
Basic computer knowledge and the ability to learn new programs quickly are essential to success in business and technical writing environments. Students in our program will be introduced to general and advanced writing software in many classes and they will be required to pass an introductory course in computer science.
a) Though several of our courses will expect students to learn relatively simple programs (such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint), students are also required to take one of the following courses that teaches advanced writing software, covered in our upper-level workshop courses. These include:
01:351:312 Literature and Technology (3)
01:355:402 Advanced Writing Workshop (3)
01:355:415 Information Design (3)
01:355:425 Web Authoring (3)
b) Students will also need to pass one of the following introductory computer science courses:
01:198:110 Introduction to Computers and their Application (3)
01:198:111 Introduction to Computer Science (4)
01:198:170 Computer Applications for Business (3)
4. Internship Experience (3 credits)
Hands-on training in work environments offers an invaluable, practical component to the minor, providing students with useful experience while encouraging professional attitudes toward work. In our minor program, students must complete an independent internship:
01:355:396 Internship (3). Please see the internships website for more information.
The writing program also offers professional writing and technical writing certificates. Please see the Certificate Programs page in this catalog for more information.
Please speak with your academic advising office regarding declaration of majors and minors.
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