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 students professional writing experience. Students must choose the
18-credit option for the minor.
Requirements
The minor requires six courses (for a total of 18 credits)
in four key skill areas. Students
must achieve a grade of C or better in each of these courses in
order to qualify for the minor.
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 Grant Writing (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 the Professions (3)
01:355:312 Writing for
Biology and Natural Sciences (3)
01:355:315 Grant Writing (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 the 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 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:
01:198:107 Computing for
Math and the Sciences (3)
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 the 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.