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PTC 601 - Advanced Professional and Technical Communication (3 credits)
Provides the foundation and direction for all Professional and Technical Communication coursework. This course introduces students to the profession and the academic discipline of technical/professional communication. Modules include usability analysis; visual information; ethics; global communication; report writing; information literacy; communicating with new technologies; and technical writing style. Students begin development of the MSPTC ePortfolio. Effective From: Spring 2007
PTC 603 - Cultural and Technological Change (3 credits)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PTC 601. Examines the complex ways in which technology constructs and is constructed by society, with emphasis on interrelationships between technology and communication. Discussions focus on how technological change is expressed in social and political movements, literature, art, architecture, and philosophy and how they, in turn, influence the future direction of technology. Design and updating of the MSPTC ePortfolio will be required in this seminar. Effective From: Spring 2007
PTC 604 - Communication Theory and Research (3 credits)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PTC 601Reviews the major theories of communication and provides strategies for research in the field of Professional and Technical Communication. The course focuses on these research methods: problem statement and hypothesis formulation derived from theory; research design and data generation; existing information sources and their acquisition; and analytic techniques. Students develop analytic methods necessary to create a well-considered thesis proposal. Design and updating of the MSPTC ePortfolio will be required in this seminar. Effective From: Spring 2007
PTC 605 - Elements of Visual Design (3 credits)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PTC 601. Provides an understanding of and competency in the visual presentation of information. Course integrates theories of design, techniques of composition, and technologies of electronic and print publishing. Modules include both design principles and hands-on practice in visual literacy, layout and design, and graphic tools. Design and updating of the MSPTC ePortfolio will be required in this seminar. Effective From: Spring 2007
PTC 606 - Advanced Online Design (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PTC 605 Elements of Visual Design. Develops online visual communication strategies and community building. The course will cover the design and creation of multimedia objects, usability heuristics, navigation theory, contemporary design practices and online community building. Students will be required to create media-rich multidimensional online projects that encourage and facilitate interaction and team-building in the online environment. Design and updating of the MSPTC ePortfolio will be required for this seminar. Effective From: Spring 2007
PTC 610 - Usability: User and Task Analysis (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PTC 601. Guides students in conducting research to understand user requirements and analyze user tasks. Covers the complex tasks needed to create user-centered material: audience assessment, task analysis, scenario development, and evaluation. This is a writing intensive course that focuses on creating effective goal-oriented products. Effective From: Spring 2009
PTC 612 - Theory and Practice of Text Encoding (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PTC 605 or equivalent . In the beginning, IBM created "Script," a series of low-level commands that formatted text on a page. Then came Generalized Markup Language (GML) a series of macros for Script. Today we have Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Extensible Markup Language (XML), all of which rely on the same basic concepts. Students will learn XHTML in order to gain a solid understanding of the theory of text encoding, while looking into the past (when technical writers wrote the code behind the text) and into the future (when VoiceXML enables unified messaging in a single interface). Each student will also create a website. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 620 - Proposal Writing (3 credits)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PTC 601 . Provides an understanding of and practice in proposal writing for corporations, foundations, and government agencies. Students build skills to create a range of persuasive documents including proposals for research grants, responses to requests for proposal, and government proposals. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 622 - Working in Teams: Collaborative and Interpersonal Communications (3 credits)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PTC 601 . Uses case studies and simulations to provide both the theoretical foundations and the hands-on practice needed to work effectively in and among heterogeneous corporate groups. Includes collaborative writing, interviewing, and conflict resolution, and computer-mediated group work. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 624 - Professional and Technical Editing (3 credits)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PTC 601 . Presents the theory and practice of editing professional and technical writing. Topics include correctness and conciseness, hard copy and on-line editing, editing graphics, document management, editor-author relationships, and ethical considerations in editing. Students edit writing samples from a variety of technical fields. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 626 - Hypertext Design Studio (3 credits)
Prerequisite: PTC 605 or equivalent. Integrates language, image, linking and thinking in a studio approach to advanced HTML projects. Students work in computer laboratory with instructor on designing individual projects using current audio and video design applications. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 631 - Communication and Environmental Problem Solving (3 credits)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PTC 601. Develops critical thinking on ecological issues for problem solving by integrating technical information, human values, and communication with environmental change. Students combine theory, research and models, case studies, visual thinking, and scientific inquiry for application in individual decision-making course project. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 632 - Content Management and Information Architecture (3 credits)
Prerequisite or Corequisite: PTC 601. Today's complex systems often produce complex information needs that require new technical communication methods and tools. This course will focus on the use of Information Architecture methodologies (such as, DITA or DocBook) to develop a structure for presenting technical information and on Content Management tools for creating a single source repository for this information. Students will also use theory and practical applications to design and develop a structured online Help module. Effective From: Fall 2007
PTC 640 - Health Communications (3 credits)
This course will focus on the use of communication strategies to inform and influence individual and community decisions regarding health. The course will cover: the multidimensional nature of health communication, research in health communication, behavioral theories in health communication, rhetorical theories in health communication, legal and ethical concerns in health communication, the communication of risk and uncertainty, and the design of health campaigns. Students will be required to (a) research and prepare a health communication strategy for use in a specific context and (b) to design an accompanying print or hypertext document to be used in that context. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 642 - Corporate Communication (3 credits)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PTC 601 . Develops communication skills for modern global corporate and business markets. Business documents may include mission/vision statements, business plans, financial statements/plans, marketing plans, and corporate policies and procedures. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 644 - Communication in Technology Transfer and Innovation (3 credits)
In order to help prepare students for careers in a market-oriented productive economy, this course builds on the understanding that communication is essential to innovation development and technology transfer. Students first review the principles of successful technical communication and the models and literature of communication in technology transfer. Then, students apply this knowledge in team-based projects to develop Technology Transfer Communication Strategy (TTCS) for technology start-up companies as needed (business plans, documentation, technical reports, etc.) Effective From: Fall 2007
PTC 650 - Web Based Training Design (3 credits)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PTC 601 and PTC 605 . Web-based Training (WBT) is at the forefront of the recent 'e-learning' boom. However, while WBT use is on the rise, specific skills and tools are required to ensure a successful WBT implementation. Based on proven instructional design concepts, this course provides the student with the skills necessary to create effective web-based training programs. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 691 - ePortfolio Capstone Seminar (0)
This course is taken in the student's final semester before graduation. Students complete final revisions of the ePortfolio of work completed in MSPTC seminars (may also include professional and service projects). Student ePortfolios must successfully demonstrate MSPTC core competencies and be presented in an oral presentaiton for faculty and other students. Effective From: Fall 2008
PTC 698 - Selected Topics in Professional and Technical Communication (3 credits)
Prerequisite or corequisite: PTC 601 Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 700 - Master's Project (3 credits)
Prerequisites: Approval of graduate advisor, and completion of core courses. Requires demonstration of student's ability to conceive and execute an extended writing project with professional graphics and to make an oral and visual presentation of the work. Based on experiential research (internship, co-op, work experience) student submits a proposal, develops a project (e.g., guidebook, manual, online documentation, website, video, podcast) and completes a paper describing the theory and methodology supporting the project application. Submission of the MSPTC ePortfolio demonstrating proficiency is required for graduation. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 701 - Master's Thesis (6 credits)
Prerequisites: approval of graduate advisor; completion of core courses. Demonstrates ability to conceive and execute an extended writing project with professional graphics and to make an oral and visual presentation of the work. The completed written thesis should warrant publication in a technical journal. Thesis Committee consists of program-approved faculty advisor, one other faculty member, and external reviewer. A student must register continuously for a minimum of 3 credits per semester until thesis in completed. Total will be limited to 6 credits. Effective From: Spring 2006
PTC 725 - Independent Study in Professional and Technical Communication (3 credits)
Prerequisite: approval of graduate advisor and supervising faculty.Allows development of areas of specialization for Master's Project or for areas of study in communication in which one or more students may be interested but which are not of sufficiently broad interest to warrant a regular course offering. Effective From: Spring 2006
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