Individualized Studies - Faculty-Designed Majors - Technical Writing - Overview

The Technical Writing (TW) major offers the study of writing and other modes of communication in a variety of technical environments. It differs from the Human Centered Design and Engineering (HCDE) major offered in the College of Engineering largely in that the Technical Writing major allows for more flexibility in the technical area (i.e., the subject matter that your writing is about).

Technical Writing students take many of the same classes as, and in fact are treated as part of the same cohort with, Human Centered Design and Engineering students. For this reason, Technical Writing proposals must be approved by both Individualized Studies and the Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering.

How to Apply

Technical Writing is a competitive admission major, accepting applications in winter and summer quarters. To apply, you must have completed 13 credits of oral and written communication, including 5 credits of English composition and HCDE 231, with at least a 3.0 grade in each course.

1. Complete the prerequisite courses (13 credits of oral and written communication):
• One English Composition course: ENGL 111, 121, 131, 182, 197, 198, 199, 281, 381; C LIT 240 (5 credits)
• HCDE 231: Introduction to Technical Writing (3 credits)
• Five credits of additional English Composition or ENGL 283, 284, 381, 383, 384, 481, 483, 484, 485, 486; B CMU 301; COM 220, 251, 270
2. Print and fill out a Technical Writing Proposal Form, including a proposed program of courses that meets the degree requirements.
3. Attach a personal statement outlining your educational objectives.
4. Set up an appointment with an Individualized Studies adviser to go over your proposal. Make any revisions suggested.
5. Submit your proposal to the Individualized Studies Committee, 171 Mary Gates Hall; proposals are due on the last Friday of each month.
6. If the proposal is accepted, pick it up and submit it to the Human Centered Design and Engineering (HCDE) major. The HCDE deadlines are February 1 and July 1. Along with your proposal, submit a recent unofficial transcript.
7. If the proposal is approved by HCDE, return the approved application to 171 Mary Gates Hall and do a change of major form.

Advisers

For further help and information, contact one of the Individualized Studies academic advisers at the Gateway Center, 171 Mary Gates Hall. You should bring to your first meeting ideas for your technical area (Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts) and at least a first draft of the list of courses you are proposing. If you want to make an appointment, please do not contact the adviser directly; instead, call the front desk at (206) 543-2550.

UW General Catalog: Individualized Studies  |  istudies@uw.edu Last modified: 06/8/09 at 04:10PM   © 2009 University of Washington