In all careers, we are called upon to write carefully, thoughtfully, and precisely. In scientific and technical fields, this is of the utmost importance, because communicating difficult-to-understand material requires more than content-knowledge, but rhetorical strategies and the ability to make your writing count. Scientific and technical communication involves valuable tactics that do more than state “just the facts,” but provide nuanced and powerful representations of information and values through rhetorical analysis, user-centered design, and the visual representation of data. Students who complete the Undergraduate Certificate in Scientific, Technical, and Professional Communication (STPC) will be able to communicate their work and the work of others through effective written, oral, and multimedia communication.
The School of Writing, Literature and Film and the School of Arts and Communication support the STPC with courses like Writing for Media, Interpersonal Communication, and New Media Futures. Taking two required courses for the certificate (Science Writing and Technical Writing), you’ll then choose 12 credits from a list of core courses, take a Writing Intensive Course, and then choose 8 more credits from a list of electives. Capping off your experience will be a one-credit portfolio course, where you’ll edit and collect your work to show off your writing and communication skills.
Learning Outcomes
Select at least 12 credits from below:
Select up to 8 credits from below:
Complete one WIC course of 3 to 4 credits, preferably from the primary discipline and major program of study.
Footnotes:
Major Code: C750
For questions regarding course overrides or adding courses not listed above to the certificate, contact Liddy Detar, liddy.detar@oregonstate.edu.