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Undergraduate

B.S. in Scientific and Technical Communication

Photo: Erika Schulte

The Department of Writing Studies offers a B.S. in Scientific and Technical Communication (S&TC). This degree offers a unique combination of written, oral, and visual communication theory and practice as they apply to interdisciplinary areas of science and technology.

This program examines how communication is a complex process that involves both the robust principles of audience, persuasion, clarity, accuracy, and ethical integrity, and a command of the knowledge of scientific and technical topics that one communicates. Students have the opportunity to examine social, legal, ethical, and political implications of communication as they relate to science, environment, gender, technology, diverse cultures, and workplace practices.

Students will study theories of rhetoric and communication and apply principles of audience analysis, writing and editing, information design, oral communication, and visual rhetoric. They will learn to engage in writing as a process and examine writing within communities of practice.

Careers in Scientific and Technical Communication

Scientific and technical communicators apply communicative techniques and technologies to the distribution of knowledge in industry, business, education, and government. They write and design information for audiences ranging from scientists to management to consumers of technical products and services.

The technical communication field is on the rise, and the demand for trained communicators in this profession is strong and likely to increase. The Twin Cities is home to many companies and organizations that hire technical communicators. Our graduates consistently find rewarding careers with outstanding companies, including Medtronic, Unisys, IBM, Symantec, U.S. Bank, Fredrickson Communications, and more.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while employment of writers and editors is predicted to rise with the overall national employment average, “[O]pportunities should be best for technical writers and those with training in a specialized field. Demand for technical writers and writers with expertise in areas such as law, medicine, or economics is expected to increase because of the continuing expansion of scientific and technical information and the need to communicate it to others.”

Undergraduate News

• Info session for new and returning S&TC majors

  Please join us for an information session in the Department of Writing Studies.

  Thursday, January 28th
  Drop in anytime between 11:30am & 12:45pm
  45 Wesbrook Hall (downstairs)

  Learn about:
  New curriculum and sub-plans
  Scholarship opportunities
  Preparing for your internship
  Software training resources

  Get your questions answered and meet new and old majors, advisors, and undergraduate program staff and directors.

  FREE FOOD!
  Chips, beverages, and sandwiches from Erbert and Gerbert's!

  January 27th, 2010

• Class blog featured as part of NCTE National Day on Writing

  A class blog from WRIT 3001: Introduction to Scientific and Technical Communication was featured in the Write@U Gallery for the NCTE National Day on Writing (October 20, 2009). The blog can be seen at http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lkbreuch/writ3001. Students are writing about readings and guest speakers, and they are sharing their reflections about technical communication.

  Guest speakers include:

  October 14: Alecia Ramsay, IBM
  October 21: Guy Petrie, Medtronic
  October 28: John Neenan, US Bank
  November 4: Lee Thomas, Yamamoto Moss
  November 11: Janel Anderson, Thomson-Reuters

  Congratulations to students in WRIT 3001!

  November 5th, 2009