Undergraduate Programs

The Scientific and Technical Communication minor is the perfect choice for students who are working toward a career that requires skilled communicators or for students who simply want to enhance their skills in professional writing, editing, and document design.

What is Scientific and Technical Communication?

Scientific and Technical Communication (STC) centers around creating documents, websites, and
other media that efficiently serve the needs of their intended audience. These media are most often produced for organizations centered around advanced technologies, complex scientific subjects, and other professional disciplines. Individuals working in STC are involved in nearly every step of the document’s creation, from preliminary outline to published product. Research, writing, editing, document design, and website development all fall under the STC umbrella.

Coursework

The STC minor is designed to help students excel as professional communicators. Our core courses (Introductory Technical Writing, Professional Editing, and Writing for the Web) focus on the subjects most beneficial for students wanting to enter this field. Nearly every core course culminates in a client-based project that emulates the work students will complete in their professional careers. Students will leave the STC minor with a refined portfolio of work they can present to potential employers.

Students enrolled in the STC minor will also have the opportunity to choose from numerous electives within other majors. Courses in visual communication technology, computer science, technology education, communications, and other disciplines allow students the freedom to study subjects in which they are truly interested while also developing an individualized skillset that will set them apart from their peers.

Internship Opportunities

The STC minor provides students the opportunity to participate in an internship that will help build their resumes while also earning course credits. Previous students have interned in areas such as learning design, grant development, content development, editing, and copywriting for a range of industries and organizations.