General Studies
Technical Writing
The Department of Technical Communication (TC) in the College of Engineering offers a degree leading to a Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication (BSTC). Students interested in this area of study should contact the TC department (211 Engineering Annex, 206-543-7108) to discuss the requirements for the BSTC.
If you find that the TC degree does not meet your needs, you can propose instead a program in Technical Writing through General Studies.
General Studies is a program in which students design their own majors. Technical Writing is a semi-formalized program, meaning you must propose a program that meets the guidelines on the other side of this handout. If this also is not what you have in mind, you may propose a different General Studies major, but you cannot title it Technical Communication or Technical Writing. If you wish to design a different kind of major, consult the publication Designing a General Studies Major.
If you wish to pursue a Technical Writing program, your proposal must be accepted by both General Studies and Technical Communication.
Before applying to the Technical Writing students should complete 13 credits of oral and written communication, including 5 credits of English composition and ENGR 231, with at least a 3.0 grade in each course. There is a list of acceptable courses below.
- Print and fill out a Technical Writing Proposal form. The application includes an essay stating your educational objectives and a proposed program of courses that meets the requirements described below.
- Set up an appointment with a General Studies adviser to go over your proposal. Make any revisions suggested.
- Submit your proposal to the General Studies Committee, 171 Mary Gates Hall. The Committee meets on the last Friday of each month.
- If the proposal is accepted, pick it up and submit it to Technical Communication, 211 Engineering Annex. The TC deadlines are February 1 and July 1. Along with your proposal, submit your file and a recent unofficial transcript. Unofficial transcripts are available at 260 Schimitz and 171 Mary Gates Hall.
- If the proposal is approved by TC, return the approved application to 171 Mary Gates Hall and fill out a change-of-major form.
Applicants to the Technical Writing program are expected to have completed 13 credits of oral and written communication courses, including 5 credits of English composition and ENGR 231, with grades of at least 3.0. The following UW courses, or equivalent transfer courses, count as English composition: ENGL 111, 121, 131, 182, 197, 198, 199, 281, 381; C LIT 240. The remaining credits to bring the total to 13 can be more English composition or ENGL 283, 284;
B CMU 301; TC 333; SP CMU 103, 220, 301.
W courses, grammar, and language study classes such as ENGL 370-374 do not count toward this requirement.
- 24 credits TC core courses
- These usually include 310, 400, 401, 402, 403, 411, and 412 or 437. You may include additional TC courses in this list, depending on your interests.
- 10 credits related electives
- "Related" electives include TC courses not listed in the core, approved 300- or 400-level CMU or composition courses, or other upper-division courses related to some aspect of communication.
- 5 credits GEN ST 493-Senior Study
- 50 credits approved science and technical courses
- This 50-credit "technical area" must include at least 30 credits from the following list, with at least 10 credits in Category 1 and 10 credits in Category 2. It is recommended that the remaining 20 credits be concentrated in an area related to your career interests.
- Physical Sciences
- CHEM all courses
- PHYS 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121/131, 122/132, 123/133, all courses numbered 224 or above
- Math/Statistics/Computer Science
- MATH 112, 124, 125, 126 (or 127, 128, 129 or 144, 145, 146), all courses numbered 200 or above; Q SCI 291, 292
- STAT 220, 301, 311 or above; PSYCH 213, 217, 218;
QMETH 201; Q SCI 381, 382; other approved statistics courses
- ENGR/CSE 142, CSE 143, other approved computer courses
- Biological Sciences
- BIOL 101-102, 201, 202, 203, all 300- or 400-level courses
- BOTANY all courses except 110
- ZOOL, MICROM, and B STR all courses
As above, except for 50 credits of approved science substitute 30 credits of approved science or an approved technical area.
The General Studies degree is granted by the College of Arts and Sciences. General Studies majors must complete all Arts and Sciences general education requirements, including English composition, foreign language, Q/SR, additional writing (W courses), and 75 credits of Areas of Knowledge.
For further help and information, contact one of the General Studies academic advisers at Undergraduate Advising , 171 Mary Gates Hall. Call 206-543-2550 for an appointment.
Cynthia Caci
206-685-2777
ccaci@u.washington.edu
David Sayrs
206-616-7302
dsayrs@u.washington.edu
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genstudy@u.washington.edu
March 2002