MAT 3270 (LUOA), ENGR 270 (LUO): Technical Communication
07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 03/11/2025
Course Description
Next Start Date*
May 12, 2025
LUOA Equivalent Course*
- MAT 3270: Technical Communication, 3 LUO credits.
Program Restrictions*
- DPL: Dual Enrollment – AS STEM Mathematics (DUSM-DPL-D)
Prerequisite Requirements*
LAN 3101 previously completed with a minimum grade of D.
Rationale
The engineering degree programs are designed to develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to positively influence engineering-related industries in the current and evolving economy. The programs prepare graduates for the thoughtful integration of work and life and to view the engineering profession as a lifelong commitment to serving others. Within a few years of graduating, engineering graduates will be able to advance in an engineering career or graduate studies, be recognized as a creative thinkers exhibiting an aptitude for continuous learning, and display professional ethics and behavior consistent with foundational Christian principles.
In a world dominated by technology and corporations, there is a great need for those who can think and communicate well in various professional contexts. Irrespective of whether it is the field of engineering, medicine, etc., it is professional and technical communication that enables work in various areas in the real world. Good communicators make good professionals and are valued by their employers. This course, by developing the student’s understanding of rhetoric and sharpening his/her oral and written communication skills, will enable the student to compete effectively in the marketplace.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussion: Why is Technical Communication Important in Engineering
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. There will be one traditional Discussion post. The initial thread must be at least 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to the threads of at least 2 classmates. Each reply must be at least 150 words.
Peer-Review Discussions (4)
Throughout the technical writing process, the ability to give and receive feedback from colleagues and stakeholders is important. Providing feedback to peers requires the student to critically think about the assignment’s intention and ensure the peer meets the expectations of the assignment. Furthermore, receiving peer feedback allows the student to gauge whether or not his/her writing is clear, concise, and meets the assignment parameters. In this course, the student will have four (4) discussion assignments that give him/her the opportunity to give and receive feedback on writing assignments. Each student must submit his/her written assignment for review (i.e. Resume and Elevator Speech, Abstract, Brochure and Presentation, and Executive Summary and Presentation). In each peer review discussion, the student will review three peers’ submissions and provide a substantive and relevant review of each. Each review should have a minimum of 300 words (900 words total minimum).
Discussions: Topic Submission (3)
In this course, the student will have 3 discussions where he/she will submit a topic for the Paper and Presentation Assignment in the following module.
Written Assignments (3)
These written assignments are all on different topics related to the practicality of technical writing and each have their own requirements. The topics are as follows:
Resume and Elevator Speech
The purpose of this assignment is for the student to develop successful resumes and to obtain experience in persuasively pitching his or her ideas and self. The student will create a professional, informative and persuasive resume specific to his or her field of study. The student will also develop and record a 30 to 60 second speech where introducing and “selling” himself or herself.
Writing an Abstract
This assignment provides the student an opportunity to write an abstract based on a technical report manuscript. The student will follow Anderson’s guidelines and the organization of the scholarly research journal (IRM&D Framework) provided in the assignment instructions. The student should only cite research from this study.
Technical Instructions and Usability
This research project will provide the student experience in writing technical instructions and usability studies he or she may encounter as a practicing engineer. The student must approach this paper as providing best practices and common pitfalls to avoid. Using the provided scenario, the student will draft a usability student report in current APA format, use narrative form, include sub-section headings, and include the required components.
Brochure and Presentation: Technical Information Assignment
This assignment provides the student experience in preparing a document involving technical definitions, descriptions, and specifications for a general audience who has little knowledge of his/her device. The student will create a written document explaining technical definitions, descriptions, and specifications and create a video explaining technical definitions, descriptions, and specifications. The student must create a 6-panel brochure, presentation slides, and a 6-8 minute video podcast recording the presentation.
Paper and Presentation Assignments (2)
The Paper and Presentation Assignments are an opportunity for the student to experience preparing an informal and formal report for a specific audience and delivering the contents of the report using the required speech type.
Paper and Presentation: Apologetics Issue Assignment
This assignment requires the student to prepare a formal report for a specific audience and deliver the content of the report in a persuasive speech. The student will choose a topic from the provided list, research and create a persuasive paper, develop presentation slides and a speech highlighting the contents of the paper, and record the presentation. The paper/report must be at least 6 to 8 page in current APA format and include at least 8 references. The and create a presentation. The student will then create a 5 to 7 minute
Paper and Presentation: Executive Summary Assignment
This assignment requires the student to prepare an informal report for a specific audience and deliver the content of the report in an operational speech. The student will choose a topic from the list of Grand Challenges, find and select one 15-page research article related to the chosen grand challenge, create an informative Executive Summary paper based on the article, create presentation slides with a detailed summary of the paper, and record a presentation of his or her presentation slides. The report must be a minimum of 4 pages (not including title page or reference pages) in current APA format. The recorded presentation must be 5 to 7 minutes and follow the provided guidelines.
Quizzes (8)
There will be eight (8) quizzes in this course. The quizzes will cover the Learn materials for the assigned modules/weeks. The quizzes will be open-book/open-notes, contain 15 questions, and have a 20-minute time limit.
*Course specifics are tentative and subject to change each year. For the most current information, please refer to the Course Registration Tool.
