Minor in Business and Technical Writing

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 complete a minimum of 18 credits for the minor and any one course cannot be used in more than one skill area. Twelve out of the 18 required credits must be completed from Writing Program (01:355) courses.

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  Digital Literary Studies (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)

    04:192:315  Writing and Communication (3)

    04:192:380  Public Speaking (3)

    04:567:324  News Reporting and Writing (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 Science (3)

    01:355:315  Grant Writing (3)

    01:355:322  Writing for Engineers (3)

     3. Digital Image Fundamentals (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, which teach 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)

    04:189:103  Information Technology and Informatics (3)

    04:547:220  Retrieving and Evaluating Electronic Information (30

    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. As part of the minor program, students must complete an independent internship: 01:355:395,396 Internship (3,3). Please see the internships course webpage for more information.

The Writing Program also offers professional writing and technical writing certificates to students enrolled in the business and technical writing minor. Please see the Certificate Programs page in this catalog for more information.

Please speak with the academic advising office regarding declaration of majors and minors.