Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Scientific and Technical Communication M.S.Writing Studies Department
College of Liberal Arts
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Writing Studies, 214 Nolte Center, 315 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-3445; fax: 612-624-3617)
Email:
WRIT@umn.edu
Website: http://cla.umn.edu/writing-studies
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The master's of science in scientific and technical communication focuses on applying basic theory and research to the practice of scientific and technical communication in the workplace.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan C: Plan C requires
21
major credits and
9
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project: The capstone course (WRIT 8505), this is the final course necessary to complete the degree requirements. The course is primarily for students seeking the MS in scientific and technical communication, but is also suitable for graduate students in any program who want structured support to write an extended project report. Classes are conducted in a "writers' workshop" format, during which each student receives feedback and support for his or her individual research report writing.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
Required Courses
Take the following courses for a total of 18 credits:
WRIT 5001 - Foundations and Futures of Technical Communication
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5112 - Information Design: Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5561 - Editing and Style for Technical Communicators
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 8505 - Professional Practice
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5671 - Visual Rhetoric
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 4501 - Usability and Human Factors in Technical Communication
(3.0 cr)
Electives
Take at least 3 credits of electives, in consultation with the advisor.
WRIT 4573W - Writing Proposals and Grant Management
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
WRIT 4664W - Science, Medical, and Health Writing
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Related Field Competency Area
Take at least 9 credits outside the Department of Writing Studies, in consultation with the director of graduate studies.
Possible areas of study include, but are not limited to:
• Health sciences
• International technical communication
• Food science and nutrition
• Technical communication and software engineering
• Technical communication and environmental science
• Technical communication and law
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Writ 4501/Writ 5501 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Writ 4664W/ Writ 5664 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |