Technical Writing Certificate
Curriculum
Major Requirements
| Foundation Class | Credits: | |
| FCWR 304 | Communication for Technical Professions* | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Take one course in each group: Group 1 (FCWR 101 or FCWR 111 or WRIT 101 or WRIT 111) and Group 2 (FCWR 151 or FCWR 161 or WRIT 151 or WRIT 161) Building on courses taken in their majors, students will learn and apply concepts of effective written and oral expression appropriate for careers in the technology professions, such as engineering and computer science. In addition to modes of technical discourse (definition, description, analysis, interpretation), this course emphasizes strategies for effective business communication in the technical professions and stylistics of technical communication. Methods and procedures of research are explored in depth. Course work includes a computer lab component, oral presentation of final reports using presentation software, and exploration of appropriate technology for technical communication. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| Total: 3 Credits | ||
| * Although FCWR 304 is preferred, other professional writing courses are also acceptable. | ||
| Intermediate Level* | Credits: | |
| DGIM 101 | Introduction to Digital Imaging | 3 |
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This course acts as an introduction to the concepts of Digital Imaging for TV, Film, Advertising, and the Web. Students learn to create, optimize and output various forms of imagery, and explore the potential of new media forms using the computer. The class focuses on the Internet as the main output medium, and each student creates his or her own Website. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| WRIT 366 | Survey of Technical and Professional Document Production | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FCWR 301 or FCWR 302 or FCWR 303 or FCWR 304 or WRIT 310 or WRIT 315 or WRIT 316 or WRIT 320 or WRIT 325 or WRIT 330 A survey of principles, techniques and procedures of electronic and print-based document production. Topics: the relationship between written and visual material, traditional copy preparation and design, desktop publishing, traditional printing techniques for books, brochures, pamphlets, and newsletters. Students will produce their own brochures, pamphlets, and newsletters. Coursework includes a computer lab component. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| Total: 6 Credits | ||
| * Prerequisite: FCWR 304 or any Professional Writing Course | ||
| Advanced Level | Credits: | |
| WRIT 351 | Advanced Technical Writing | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FCWR 301 or FCWR 302 or FCWR 303 or FCWR 304 or WRIT 310 or WRIT 315 or WRIT 316 or WRIT 320 or WRIT 325 or WRIT 330 Advanced training and practice in the techniques and forms of technical writing. Focused around planning and producing electronic and print-based manuals. Topics will include: information gathering; usability testing; group collaboration, project management, using text and graphics, relevant technologies, and writing techniques. Coursework includes a computer lab component. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| WRIT 363 | Writing for the Web | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FCWR 301 or FCWR 302 or FCWR 303 or FCWR 304 or WRIT 310 or WRIT 315 or WRIT 316 or WRIT 320 or WRIT 325 or WRIT 330 This is a computer-intensive course. Focus is on learning and practicing advanced aspects of creating multimedia, hypertext, and online help documents. Topics: linear and nonlinear planning structures ("information architecture"), writing stylistics, the rhetoric and use of graphics, linking, reading and editing online, project management. Oral presentations of final project with computer-based presentation programs. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| Total: 6 Credits | ||
| Advanced Course (choose one of the following) | Credits: | |
| LITR 240 | The Art of Prose: Scientific and Technical Literature | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FCWR 151 or FCWR 161 or WRIT 151 or WRIT 161 An intermediate-level course in which the art of prose writing is explored in depth. This course focuses on stylistics and rhetoric and covers the development of scientific and technical literature. This course may be chosen to fulfill the Group A requirement. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| SPCH 205 | Professional Speaking and Advanced Oral Communication | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisite: SPCH 105 Study through practice of professional public speaking and advanced professional communication techniques. Topics covered include: audience analysis, techniques of persuasion, interview techniques, listening skills, presentation styles and techniques, effective audio and visual aids, and special problems of communicating technical information. Students deliver presentations in both live audience and media environments. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| WRIT 220 | Workshop in Publication | 3 |
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Prerequisite: Prerequisite: FCWR 101 or FCWR 111 or WRIT 101 or WRIT 111 A continuation of WRIT 210. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| WRIT 355 | Advanced Writing and Editing Techniques | 3 |
| Please view all course descriptions: http://www.nyit.edu/courses | ||
| WRIT 360 | Seminar in Professional Writing | 3 |
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An advanced seminar in a specialized topic, utilizing the expertise of an instructor from the profession at large or from the regular NYIT faculty. The topic will vary from offering to offering. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 3-0-3 |
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| WRIT 415 | Internship in Technical and Professional Writing | 3 |
| Please view all course descriptions: http://www.nyit.edu/courses | ||
| Total: 3 Credits | ||
| Students seeking to earn a Certificate in Technical Writing are required to complete 18 credits of coursework in the technical writing/professional communications area. Students from any major can opt for the Technical Writing Certificate. It is also open to working professionals, who can take the classes on a part-time basis. NOTE 1) A student may earn up to three credits by challenging for life experience. 2) Those entering the program without sufficient technical background must take six additional credits in a technical area. Members of the faculty will determine what constitutes an appropriate background. Total Required Credits = 18 |