Technical Communication

Associate of Applied Science Degree

 

In business, industry, government, technology and health care, there is a need to communicate information of a technical nature to varied audiences. Technical Communication is the process of translating technical information into forms that different audiences can understand and use. Technical communicators are the translators. They write, edit, and perform page layout and design on user manuals, textbooks, training materials, press releases, memos, environmental impact statements, video scripts and online help files. They design Web pages, develop computer-based training (CBT) modules, prepare multimedia presentations, and develop material for delivery on CD, DVD and the Internet.
 
The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Technical Communication at Columbus State Community College is the only technical communication degree program in central Ohio. The program provides students with the practical, specific skills and technical knowledge needed to get entry-level jobs as technical communicators. All courses are taught in a state-of-the-art computer classroom with a variety of computer applications.
 
The program is designed to be completed within six quarters of full-time study. Students are required to take eleven courses in Technical Communication (TCO courses) and another 15-25 credits in a single cognate (specialization) area. The choice of the cognate area is up to the student in consultation with the Technical Communication advisor and the advisor in the cognate area. Currently, there are more than 20 approved cognates in areas such as accounting, aviation maintenance, computer programming, marketing, microcomputing and graphic communications. For a complete listing, contact the Technical Communication Program Coordinator.

A technical communicator should be able to discuss projects with a technical expert and know the best way to translate information so that the targeted audience will understand it. The cognate area enhances the knowledge and skills of the technical communicator and provides vocabulary and basic knowledge about the chosen field.

Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in the Technical Communication, the graduate will be able to:

•  Write in the forms most often required of a Technical Communicator: processes, procedures, reports, manuals, etc.
•  Translate complex material into clear, concise, and easy-to-use language for specific targeted audiences.
•  Participate in the entire technical writing cycle, both  individually and collaboratively, including planning, researching, and coordinating projects; writing, revising, and editing documents; designing and placing graphics; and producing a final product.
•  Prepare and deliver oral presentations both in formal and informal settings.
•  Develop basic graphics and integrate them into text.
•  Apply the principles learned in technical cognates to technical communication.
•  Critically evaluate existing documentation for clarity, completeness, and effectiveness.
•  Operate the word processing and desktop design packages most widely used in the technical communication field.
•  Incorporate the basic concepts of multimedia production into professional technical presentations.
•  Edit documents individually and collaboratively, using both hard copy and online methods.
•  Carry out, prepare, and produce documented primary or secondary research.
• Demonstrate an understanding of concepts of time/project management both in individual and team projects.

Technical Communication Associate Degree

COURSE		CR
Quarter 1
ENGL 101	Beginning Composition	3
TCO 101	Careers in Technical Communication	2
CIT 101	PC Application 1	3
*	Technical Cognate	3-6
XXXX XXX	Math or Science Elective for Tech Cognate	5
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		16–19
Quarter 2
ENGL 102	Essay and Research	3
BOA 101	Business Grammar Usage	3
HUM XXX	Humanities 111, 112, 113, 151, 152 or 224	5
TCO 102	Tools and Tips for Technical Communicators	3
TCO 203	Introduction to Technical Communication	3
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		17
Quarter 3
BOA 167	Desktop Publishing	3
COMM 105	Speech	3
NSCI 191	Natural Science I	5
TCO 204	Introduction to Technical Editing	3
*	Technical Cognate	3-6
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		17–20
Quarter 4
COMM 200	Business Communications	3
TCO 223	Advanced Technical Communication	3
GRPH 251	Photoshop and Design I	5
TCO 214	Document Design and Delivery Methods	3
*	Technical Cognate	3-6
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		17–20
Quarter 5
COMM 110	Conference and Group Discussion	3
TCO 215	Online Documentation	3
TCO 230	Technical Presentations	3
XXX XXX	Technical Writing Elective	3
*	Technical Cognate	3–6
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		15–18
Quarter 6
SSCI 101	Cultural Diversity	5
TCO 250	Capstone Project	3
TCO 260	Career Development	1
TCO 290	Industry Internship	4
*	Technical Cognate	3–6
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS		16–19
TOTAL DEGREE CREDIT HOURS		98–113

*Between 15-25 hours must be completed in a Technical Cognate.
Technical writing electives may be selected from the following courses:

COMM 202	Writing for the Health and Human Services	3
COMM 206	Governmental Communications	3
COMM 207	Writing for the Web	3
COMM 208	Communication for the Mass Media	3
ENGL 215	Magazine Publication	3
ENGL 280	Publishing Practicum	2
TCO 221	Proposal Development	3
TCO 222	Developing Software Documentation	3
TCO 224	Advanced Technical Editing	3
TCO 235	Instructional Design	2
TCO 236	Computer-Based Training	3
TCO 237	Digital Video Production for the Workplace	3
TCO 245	HTML-Based Online Documentation	5
TCO 297/298/299	Special Topics in Technical Communication	1–5