HU 3120: Technical and Scientific Communication
Section R06
MTWR
11:05 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Walker 134
Instructor: |
Jim Nugent |
Email: |
jdnugent@mtu.edu |
Phone: |
487-3273 |
Office: |
Walker 142 |
Office Hours: |
Every day after class (just pull me aside), and by appointment
any time. |
Links
Course Description
Technical and Scientific Communication is a study of written and oral communication
in technical, scientific, and professional environments. It emphasizes audience,
writing processes, genres of scientific and technical discourse, visual communication,
collaboration, professional responsibility, and clear expression.
Required Textbook and Readings
Course Policies
- Given that HU 3120 is a collaborative , discussion-based course, I expect regular, timely attendance from all students. More than two unexcused
absences will result in your final grade being dropped by one letter (for
example, B becomes C, AB becomes BC, CD becomes F). Also, any absences or
tardiness will reflect poorly on your social practices when I determine your
social practices grade. In-class work generally cannot be made up—even
if the absence is excused. Six or more absences is grounds for automatic failure.
- If you fail to sign the attendance sheet on a given day, it will count as
an unexcused absence.
- If you have been absent for a class, do not ask me what you missed. Consult the online course calendar or your classmates instead.
- When working collaboratively, your group is responsible for practicing sound data management skills and sharing the
most current versions of your work. (You may want to get in the habit of emailing
your group's most current drafts to everyone at the end of each in-class work day.)
Technology excuses are generally not viable in this class.
- Do not hesitate to email me anytime you have questions about the course, course policies, assignment requirements, etc. I reserve the right, however, to not respond to any email posing questions already answered on this webpage.
- Late assignments are generally not accepted.
- You are responsible for providing a replacement if I lose your work. (This
doesn't mean that I will make a policy of losing your work—all it means
is that you should keep a saved copy of the major assignments on hand, and
be prepared to offer a copy should the unthinkable happen.)
- I reserve the right to revise this syllabus throughout the semester.
- I expect all work in this class to meet the standards of the university's Academic
Integrity Policy.
Assignments
There will be five major assignments in this class, listed below, which are
due on the dates listed in the course calendar.
The five major course segments are as follows:
- Reading and Composing Scientific Reports
- User Documentation Project
- Recommendation Report Project
- Résumé and Cover Letter
- Reading Science and Technology
Grading
I will give letter grades (A, AB, B, BC, C, CD, D, or F) for all graded assignments
in this class. The final grade is determined as follows:
15% |
Reading and Composing Scientific Reports |
20% |
User Documentation Project |
25% |
Recommendation Report Project |
15% |
Résumé and Cover Letter Assignment |
10% |
Reading Science and Technology |
15% |
Social Practices—This grade will reflect
your contributions to class discussions, peer review activities, and group
work, as well as your commitment to submitting timely and complete work.
Needless to say, if you are not in class regularly and on time, you are
not participating, so this grade will also partially reflect your attendance. |
ADA Notice
MTU complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination,
including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). If you have a
disability and need a reasonable accommodation for equal access to education
or services at MTU, please call Dr. Gloria Melton, Associate Dean of Students,
487-2212. For other concerns about discrimination, you may contact your advisor,
department chair, or the Affirmative Action Office at 487-3310.