Technical Communication

Technical communicators use their language, visual, and analytical skills, as well as training and research in electronic and other media, to create and enhance communication in scientific and technical environments. Technical communication prepares students to design, create, edit, and evaluate technical and scientific discourse. The department provides coursework in the development of online help systems and in the design of general-audience content for delivery by means of advanced communication technologies such as the Web.

The complexities of modern life have greatly increased the number of people who need to communicate about technical and other specialized topics. Scientific journal articles, manuals, proposals, and other genres are important for a vast array of readers. With the Information Age, gaining and sharing technological understanding and capability has become a crucial human activity. We communicate in more genres, address broader (often global) audiences, and face more complex rhetorical problems than ever before.

To achieve success in their communication activities, progressive organizations are employing sophisticated planning and development methods, including user-centered design and evaluation, content management, and systems-based analyses. In addition, they undertake research projects and apply existing research to their own needs. Contemporary research in technical communication ranges from controlled empirical research on the processing of text, graphics, and multimedia content to observational research on how meaning is created and negotiated in business environments and virtual communities.

Other major interests include the human-computer interface, hypermedia, communications technology, the rhetoric of technical discourse, international communication, visual communication, publications and communications management, policy analysis of technological systems, and research and testing.

Undergraduate Program

The Department of Technical Communication offers the following programs of study:

• The Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication degree
• A minor in technical Japanese

Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication

Department Admission Requirements

Early Admission

1. Course requirements: 38 credits to include 10 credits of approved mathematics or statistics; 15 credits of approved natural science; and 13 credits of approved written and oral communication (including T C 231). All courses must be completed prior to the July 1 application deadline.
2. Applicants must be currently enrolled at the UW and must have completed a minimum of 15 credits taken in residence at the UW. Application deadline is July 1 for autumn quarter only.
3. Grade requirements: Minimum 3.00 GPA in written and oral communications courses and minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA.

1. Course requirements: 10 credits of approved mathematics or statistics; 15 credits of approved natural science; and 13 credits of approved written and oral communication (including T C 231). All courses must be completed prior to the July 1 application deadline.
2. 60 credits completed by application deadline, which is July 1 for autumn quarter and February 1 for spring quarter.
3. Students applying in the senior year must spend a minimum of four quarters in the program.
4. Grade requirements: Minimum 3.00 GPA in written and oral communications courses and minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA.

Students may also declare into the Technical Communication degree program through the College of Engineering Advanced Admission program (see the College of Engineering section for Advanced Admission entrance and continuation requirements).

Graduation Requirements

General Education Requirements (93 credits)

1. Written and Oral Communications (13 credits): 5 credits of English composition from the University list; T C 231; 5 credits of oral/written communication from T C list (see adviser).
2. Visual, Literary, & Performing Arts (VLPA), and Individuals & Societies (I&S) (30 credits): A minimum of 10 credits is required in each area.
3. Math and Natural Science (50 credits):
   1. Mathematics (minimum 15 credits; see list of qualifying courses on T C Web site)
   2. Science (minimum 15 credits; see list of qualifying courses on T C Web site)

Major Requirements (82 credits)

1. Technical Communication Core (51 credits):  T C 310, T C 400, T C 401, T C 402, T C 403, T C 407, T C 411, T C 412, T C 437, T C 493, T C 495
2. Technical/Analytical (12 credits): Must include either CSE 142 or PHIL 120.
3. Approved Electives (19 credits): Must demonstrate a coherent and relevant area of specialization. 

Minor

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

• Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: The department has identified several areas of competency for students. By achieving mastery in all these areas, upon graduation TC students are well prepared to advance to careers in technical communication, apply to top graduate programs, and conduct research in the field.

  Graduates are able to:

  • Understand the TC field
  • Write and edit at a professional level
  • Analyze communication situations and problems in scientific and technical settings
  • Identify and work with the major genres of technical communication
  • Use appropriate tools and technologies to develop communication solutions
  • Understand and use principles for effective display of information
  • Understand and practice effective content development
  • Manage TC projects effectively
  • Work effectively on teams
  • Be sensitive to relevant larger contexts and environments

  The Department of Technical Communication prepares students to assume positions of intellectual leadership in industry, government, and non-profit organizations. Students also specialize in science writing or Web site design. The Technical Japanese program provides a unique opportunity to develop cross-cultural experience and expertise.

  Whatever their professional direction, technical communication students learn the newest communication technologies and practices, the most effective information-design strategies, and the research skills appropriate to their interests. They also learn the enduring theory and principles that enable them to understand the constant changes they will encounter throughout their careers. Finally, their coursework takes place in the context of social and political issues and human needs.

• Instructional and Research Facilities: Department facilities include the T C Computer Lab, Technical Japanese Computer Lab, Laboratory for Usability Testing and Evaluation (LUTE), and the Engineering/iSchool Writing Center (EiWC).

• Honors Options Available: With College Honors. With Distinction. See adviser for details.

• Research, Internships, and Service Learning: All Technical Communication undergraduates are required to complete at least one 3-credit internship. The supervised internship in a publications organization must be approved by the faculty adviser. As an internship substitution, students may elect to take part in a six-month co-op, sponsored by the Engineering Co-op program. Additionally, undergraduates are invited to work in research groups with TC grad students and faculty.

• Department Scholarships: Annually, T C selects one recipient of a College of Engineering Scholarship. The criteria for this scholarship are the applicant's prior academic history and likelihood for success in the technical communication field. Additionally, the Society for Technical Communication (STC) offers annual scholarships open to all students enrolled in a T C-related program.

• Student Organizations/Associations: Students in the Technical Communication degree program often participate in the Student Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), the Minority Science and Engineering Program (MSEP), and Women in Science and Engineering (WISE).

Of Special Note: The T C department is a small, academic community. Students generally call their professors by their first name and have the opportunity to work individually on projects and research supervised by T C faculty. Undergraduate students are encouraged to work in research groups and to attend conferences and professional meetings.

Graduate Programs

Graduate Program Coordinator
14 Loew, Box 352195
206-543-2567
tcadvise@u.washington.edu

Master of Science in Technical Communication

Technical Communication offers a Master of Science in Technical Communication (M.S.T.C.). (An evening program is offered through UW Educational Outreach.) A total of 41 credits is required for the M.S.T.C. degree, which includes 29 credits of required T C graduate courses and 11 credits of approved electives. M.S.T.C. students may elect to pursue a master's thesis or project report with the approval of their supervisory committee.

Admission Requirements

In making recommendations for admission, the faculty consider the following from an applicant's record: (1) undergraduate GPA; (2) undergraduate degree program and work experience; (3) the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal score; (4) the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score (if applicable); (5) letters of recommendation; and (6) Statement of Goals and Career Objectives. A limited number of prerequisite undergraduate courses may be required.

Degree Requirements

The course of study must include:

• Two courses in Theory (min. 8 cr)
• Two courses in Research Methods (min. 8 cr)
• Coursework in Society and Systems (min. 4 cr)
• Coursework in New Media Design and Applications (min. 8 cr)
• Electives (no minimum)
• One seminar (min. 1 cr)

Students must complete the M.S.T.C. program within three years of admission; most finish within one to two years. Students who wish to propose a master's thesis (T C 700) or internship with report (T C 601) should consult with the adviser.

The required T C graduate courses include the following: T C 501 (4); T C 502 (4); T C 510 (4); either T C 516 (4) or T C 517 (4); either T C 505 (4), T C 512 (4), or T C 520 (4); T C 521 (1-2, max. 3).

Other courses that fulfill requirements in the four categories (Theory, Research Methods, Society and Systems, and New Media Design and Applications) must be approved by the student's supervisory committee chair. Courses may include coursework not only in engineering, but also in fields such as computer science, cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, behavioral science, as well as other disciplines at the UW.

Inter-Engineering Master's in Technical Japanese

Students take classes in an engineering specialty and in advanced Japanese. They spend summer quarter after their first year in Japan doing a required internship in a Japanese company or research lab. Some internships are longer. Students graduate with an Inter-Engineering M.S.E. or M.S. degree.

Applicants who do not have an engineering or other high-tech background can follow the technical communication track and graduate with the inter-engineering M.S. degree.

Admission Requirements

Degree Requirements

• Engineering Fields: Students must select an engineering field (usually the same as your undergraduate area of concentration) from among the following:
  • Aeronautics and Astronautics
  • Bioengineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Technical Communication
• Credit Requirements:
  • Distribution: 24 credits in one engineering specialty, 27 credits of coursework in Technical Japanese, and 3 credits of summer internship in Japan. Note: 3 credits of internship may be substituted for 3 credits of coursework.
  • Technical Japanese coursework:
    • Oral Communication in Technical and Business Settings: T C 471 (3), T C 472 (3), T C 473 (3)
    • Reading Techniques in Technical Japanese: T C 461 (3), T C 462 (3), T C 463 (3)
    • Advanced Japanese for Technical and Business Professionals: T C 561 (3), TC 562 (3), T C 563 (3)

Doctor of Philosophy

• To prepare individuals for a career as researchers, teachers, and intellectual leaders in the discipline of technical communication
• To foster the development and dissemination of new knowledge in technical communication
• To foster the development of an international, multi-cultural perspective and a diverse, inclusive student body and workforce in technical communication
• To invent new technical and strategic solutions to technical communication problems

• Analyze a communication situation in its full complexity
• Select or develop an appropriate theoretical framework to motivate an understanding of the situation
• Select an investigative method from a broad range of methods and effectively use it for conducting an inquiry.
• Confront specific communication problems and create solutions for them that can be defended theoretically
• Translate theory and research findings into technical or strategic inventions for solving communication design problems

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

• UWTC Ph.D. admission forms
• Official transcripts of all academic study
• Evidence of a minimum GPA of 3.00
• Three letters of recommendation
• A curriculum vitae
• A personal statement of objectives and research area of interest.

Degree Requirements

To be awarded a Ph.D. in Technical Communication from the Department of Technical Communication at the University of Washington, the following requirements must be met:

• After having completed 30 credits of coursework, pass a Preliminary Exam. (Those who do not pass the preliminary exam for Ph.D. study may proceed to finish a terminal master's degree.)
• Select Committee Chair within two quarters of passing Preliminary Exam.
• Successfully complete all course distribution and credit-hour requirements.
• Successfully complete the requirements for directed research.
• After having completed 60 credits, pass a General Examination to attain formal candidacy for the Ph.D. program (Candidate's Certificate).
• Successfully defend a dissertation proposal before a Supervisory Committee.
• Successfully defend the dissertation itself before a Reading Committee (Final Exam).

Course Distribution

• Theory: Four courses that are 3 or more credits, as follows: T C 501 (4), T C 502 (4), additional approved theory courses
• Research Methods: Three courses that are 3 or more credits, as follows: T C 516 (4) or T C 517 (4); additional approved research methods courses
• Media Design and Applications: Three courses that are 3 or more credits, as follows: T C 510 (4), T C 511 (5), additional approved media design courses
• Society and Systems: Three courses that are 3 or more credits, from the following: T C 505 (4), T C 512 (4), T C 520 (4), other approved society and systems courses

Credit-Hour Requirements

• 46 credits minimum of core distribution requirements
• 12 credits of directed research (T C 596)
• 20 credits minimum approved electives (30 credits max.)
• 27 credits minimum dissertation

Research Facilities

The Department of Technical Communication has a well-equipped computer laboratory that effectively supports its courses and research projects. In addition, there are two specialized departmental research laboratories: the Technical Japanese Lab and the Laboratory for Usability Testing and Evaluation (LUTE). An award-winning magazine, Northwest Science and Technology, is produced in the department and serves as a laboratory for science-writing students. Finally, technical communication graduate students can utilize significant College of Engineering and University-level research facilities.

Financial Aid

A limited number of teaching and research assistantships and scholarships are available for the financial support of graduate students in technical communication. More information and application forms can be obtained by contacting the department.