The Technical Communication Certificate (TCC) has established itself as a program that meets industry and government agencies' demands for students with skills as communicators and for communication specialists. Because employers value well-developed communication skills, TCC courses will enhance success in co-op/intern positions and post-graduation careers. TCC graduates overwhelmingly confirm not only that the certificate gave them an edge over other candidates during the recruitment process, but also that the communication knowledge, skills, and attitudes they acquired while in the program helped them succeed in their jobs and helped prepare them for the diverse communication and management tasks in today's multifunctional team environments.
The Technical Communication Certificate, housed in the College of Engineering, complements all undergraduate degrees, but is especially designed to fit in well with an engineering degree. TCC students gain experience in career-applicable skills by
- Receiving education in principles and processes for communicating about technical subjects (including problem solving methods, audience analysis, rhetorical analysis, conventions of format, and usability testing).
- Gaining education in the fundamentals of written, oral, and visual communication (including organization, structure, style, mechanics, format, and delivery).
- Learning effective interpersonal communication and management skills (including teamwork, interviewing, leading and facilitating groups, project management, and international communication).
- Gaining opportunities to research and think analytically about contemporary issues and to consider ethical issues.
- Using current technology to encourage effective communication in a variety of environments (including use of the web, distance communication, group software, and layout and presentation software).
While the certificate is designed especially for engineering students, students from other fields sometimes seek out the program to enhance their career options. Students who complete the certificate will have the notation "Technical Communication Certificate" added to their transcripts.
Students in the program often take on leadership roles in other college or campus student organizations and projects, further developing their communication, team, and management skills.
How to Get in
Undergraduates who would like to enroll in the Technical Communication Certificate (TCC) may download the TCC Application form (PDF). Email the completed TCC Application along with a PDF of your current DARS report to Laura Grossenbacher, Director of the Tech Comm Program, at lrgrossenbac@wisc.edu. Graduate students and non-degree-seeking students cannot enroll in the TCC.
Prerequisites for Admission to the TCC Program
- A grade of at least B in Communication A or equivalent course or AP English credits (score of at least 4 out of 5).
- Four courses (12-credit minimum) in science and/or engineering, including at least one intermediate-level (minimum 200-level) course.
- Three courses (9-credit minimum) in humanities, social sciences, and/or foreign language.
- Overall GPA of at least 2.5.
Applications are accepted throughout the semester, though students are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible so they have ample time to plan their coursework. The program will notify all new admissions via email.
Requirements
To graduate with the certificate in technical communication, students must complete at least 21 credits, with a minimum of 6 credits in technical proficiency courses and a minimum of 15 credits in both technical and non-technical communication courses.
In addition to course requirements, students must achieve at least a B in the required Engineering Communication (INTEREGR 397) and the Technical Communications Internship (E P D 398). All students must complete the program within five years from their application date. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor regularly to ensure they are on track to graduate with their certificate. Students cannot count courses completed on a pass/fail basis toward the certificate.
Substitution of courses substantively equivalent to those listed will be considered by the Technical Communication Curriculum Committee. Students must submit requests for substitution with supporting material before beginning the course.
Prerequisites
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A grade of at least B in Communication A or equivalent course or AP English credits (score of at least 4 or 5) | ||
| Select four courses (12-credit minimum) in science and/or engineering, including at least one intermediate-level (minimum 200-level) course | ||
| Select three courses (9-credit minimum) in liberal studies including a foreign language | ||
| Overall GPA of at least 2.5 | ||
Technical Proficiency
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of one course each from two areas: | 6 | |
Computer Science | ||
Management/Economics/Business | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Computer Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CBE 255 | Introduction to Chemical Process Modeling | 3 |
| CIV ENGR/G L E 291 | Problem Solving Using Computer Tools | 4 |
| COMP SCI 200 | Programming I | 3 |
| COMP SCI 220 | Data Science Programming I | 4 |
| COMP SCI 300 | Programming II | 3 |
| COMP SCI 320 | Data Science Programming II | 4 |
| INFO SYS 371 | Technology of Computer-Based Business Systems | 3 |
| LSC 532 | Web Design for the Sciences | 3 |
Management/Economics/Business
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A A E/INTL ST 374 | The Growth and Development of Nations in the Global Economy | 3 |
| ACCT I S 401 | Business Organizations and Negotiable Instruments | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 491 | Legal Aspects of Engineering | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 492 | Integrated Project Estimating and Scheduling | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 494 | Civil and Environmental Engineering Decision Making | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 498 | Construction Project Management | 3 |
| ECON 301 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 4 |
| ECON 302 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory | 4 |
| ECON/A A E/ENVIR ST 343 | Environmental Economics | 3-4 |
| ECON 467 | International Industrial Organizations | 3-4 |
| GEN BUS 301 | Business Law | 3 |
| GEN BUS 365 | Contemporary Topics | 1-3 |
| INTL BUS 200 | International Business | 3 |
| INTL BUS/GEN BUS 320 | Intercultural Communication in Business | 3 |
| I SY E 313 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 |
| I SY E/PSYCH 349 | Introduction to Human Factors | 3 |
| I SY E 476 | Industrial Engineering Projects | 3 |
| I SY E 515 | Engineering Management of Continuous Process Improvement | 3 |
| I SY E 575 | Introduction to Quality Engineering | 3 |
| MARKETNG 300 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| MARKETNG 310 | Marketing Research | 3 |
| MARKETNG 415 | Social Creative Marketing | 3 |
| MARKETNG/INTL BUS 420 | Global Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| M E 549 | Product Design | 3 |
| M H R 300 | Managing Organizations | 3 |
| M H R 365 | Contemporary Topics | 1-3 |
| M H R 420 | Leading Change in Organizations | 3 |
| M H R 612 | Labor-Management Relations | 3 |
| N E 571 | Economic and Environmental Aspects of Nuclear Energy | 3 |
| OTM 365 | Contemporary Topics | 1-3 |
| R M I 300 | Principles of Risk Management | 3 |
Technical Communication Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INTEREGR 397 | Engineering Communication | 3 |
| E P D 398 | Technical Communications Internship (Required. This course, completed in conjunction with the Technical Communication Internship. Only offered in spring.) | 1 |
| Total Credits | 4 | |
Technical Communication Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of 8 credits 1 | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 8 | |
Elective Courses in Communication
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| E P D 275 | Technical Presentations | 2 |
| M E 231 | Geometric Modeling for Design and Manufacturing | 3 |
| I SY E 515 | Engineering Management of Continuous Process Improvement | 3 |
| BSE 270 | Introduction to Computer Aided Design | 3 |
| BSE 375 | Special Topics | 1-4 |
| CBE 324 | Transport Phenomena Lab | 3 |
| CBE 424 | Operations and Process Laboratory | 5 |
| CIV ENGR 159 | Civil Engineering Graphics | 2 |
| COM ARTS 260 | Communication and Human Behavior | 3 |
| COM ARTS 262 | Theory and Practice of Argumentation and Debate | 3 |
| COM ARTS 266 | Theory and Practice of Group Discussion | 3 |
| COM ARTS 272 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COM ARTS 355 | Introduction to Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 368 | Persuasion and Social Influence | 3 |
| COM ARTS 575 | Communication in Complex Organizations | 3 |
| ENGL 201 | Intermediate Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 315 | English Phonology | 3 |
| ENGL 318 | Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| GEN BUS 360 | Workplace Writing and Communication | 3 |
| HISTORY 201 | The Historian's Craft | 3-4 |
| HIST SCI 201 | The Origins of Scientific Thought | 3 |
| HIST SCI 202 | The Making of Modern Science | 3 |
| JOURN 425 | Video Journalism | 4 |
| JOURN 447 | Strategic Media Planning | 4 |
| LSC 515 | Social Marketing Campaigns in Science, Health and the Environment | 3 |
| JOURN/POLI SCI/URB R PL 373 | Introduction to Survey Research | 3-4 |
| JOURN 563 | Law of Mass Communication | 4 |
| L I S 601 | Information: Perspectives and Contexts | 3 |
| L I S/LEGAL ST 663 | Introduction to Cyberlaw | 3 |
| LSC 350 | Visualizing Science and Technology | 3 |
| LSC 515 | Social Marketing Campaigns in Science, Health and the Environment | 3 |
| M H R 365 | Contemporary Topics | 1-3 |
| M H R 401 | Leading Teams | 3 |
| PHILOS 210 | Reason in Communication | 3-4 |
| PHILOS 241 | Introductory Ethics | 3-4 |
| PHILOS 243 | Ethics in Business | 3-4 |
| PHILOS/ENVIR ST 441 | Environmental Ethics | 3-4 |
| PSYCH 456 | Social Psychology | 3-4 |
| PSYCH/I SY E 653 | Organization and Job Design | 3 |
| SOC 535 | Talk and Social Interaction | 3 |
| Independent Study courses by instructor approval only 2 | ||
- 1
Note: These E P D courses do NOT count toward the TCC:
- 2
Special credits in Technical Communication include E P D 499 Senior Independent Study.
Senior Design or Capstone
If students pursuing this Certificate from outside of engineering, can petition for a senior-level communication-intensive course in their chosen discipline to count for this requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Capstone Design Course in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design II | ||
| Biological Systems Engineering Design Practicum I | ||
| Biological Systems Engineering Design Practicum II | ||
| Operations and Process Laboratory | ||
| Process Design | ||
| Senior Capstone Design | ||
| Embedded Microprocessor System Design | ||
| Senior Design Project | ||
| Design Problems in Engineering | ||
| Geological Engineering Design | ||
| Industrial Engineering Projects | ||
| Industrial Engineering Design II | ||
| Engineering Design Projects | ||
| Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects I | ||
| Interdisciplinary Experiential Design Projects II | ||
| Capstone Project I | ||
| Capstone Project II | ||
| Nuclear Reactor Design | ||
| Economic and Environmental Aspects of Nuclear Energy | ||
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand and apply principles and processes for communicating about technical subjects to diverse audiences.
- Understand and apply fundamentals of written, oral, and visual communication.
- Apply improved skills in interpersonal communication, teamwork, and management.
- Research, identify, and think analytically about social, global, economic, political, environmental, and ethical issues as they impact technical projects or engineering work.
- Use current technology to communicate effectively in a variety of formats and environments.
- Engage in real world experiences through communication internships and guest lectures.