College of Liberal Arts

180 Wesbrook Hall
77 Pleasant St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-624-3445
Fax: 612-624-3617
E-mail: writ@umn.edu

Major

B. S. in Scientific & Technical Communication

Our department is one of about 70 programs in the U. S. that offers a bachelor's degree in scientific and technical communication (S&TC). We are leaders in educating and training scientific and technical communicators. Our graduates are in demand. Our placement rate is high, and our program is growing.

Overview

People who choose this program tend to be interested in communication as well as science or technology. The degree provides a sound background in both areas.

Learning Objectives

  • Conduct audience analysis
  • Write effective print and electronic documents and messages in a variety of genres
  • Edit documents for clarity, conciseness, voice, and correctness
  • Design attractive and useable documents based on visual rhetoric theories
  • Integrate visuals and text
  • Select and design media for particular audiences, messages, and purposes
  • Test for usability
  • Select appropriate research methods, evaluate sources, and conduct research
  • Conduct informational interviews
  • Understand and apply information and project management principles
  • Design and deliver effective oral presentations
  • Collaborate on team-written documents
  • Identify and understand major theoretical movements and figures within rhetorical theory
  • Apply rhetorical theory to professional practice
  • Place technical skills into broader social contexts, drawing upon literary, historical, and theoretical works that speak to the intersections among people, technologies, and their environments
  • Recognize how issues of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and religion can affect scientific and technical communication
  • Review and reflect on current controversies in scientific and technical fields, working to shape personal ethics and public policy
  • Understand the implications of the global contexts in which we live and work

Requirements

The B.S. in scientific and technical communication requires 46 credits in the areas of written, oral, and visual communication; theory and research; and science, technology, and society. Students in the program also complete an internship. We strongly encourage you to complete a 12-18 credit minor or emphasis in a scientific or technical field. It will be a valuable supplement to your major and will improve your marketability.

Advising

As a CLA student, you will work with a team of advisors: a major advisor, a college advisor, a peer advisor, and a liaison from the Career and Community Learning Center. As a major in the Department of Writing Studies you will be advised by the assistant director of undergraduate studies for your first term. Later you will be assigned a faculty advisor.

All of your advisors are part of your CLA student community (Communications and Media) and are available to help you with understanding course requirements, academic difficulties, finding opporunities to learn outside the classroom, and more. Learn more about making the most of your student community.

For More Information