Transcript Study abroad presentation to University of

Mercer University Department of
Technical Communication
C
Presentation prepared for
University of Karlsruhe
by
Dr. Helen Grady
School of Engineering
9 October 2008
What will be discussed
• Mercer’s School of Engineering
• Overview of Dept. of Technical
Communication (TCO)
• Our curriculum
• Our faculty
• Our facilities
• Opportunities to work with you
Mercer’s School of Engineering
•Established in 1986
•Nationally accredited in 1989
•500 students
•BS Engineering degrees in:
• Electrical
• Computer
• Mechanical
• Biomedical
• Environmental
• Industrial
Mercer’s School of Engineering
•BS degrees in
Technical Communication
Industrial Management
•MSE degree
•MSTCO degree
Why our program is in engineering
• Historical demand from engineers for
“engineering English”
• Current engineering accreditation
requirements for excellent communication
skills
• Focus on real-world projects – a good fit
with engineers
What we mean by technical
communication….
The process of
designing and creating
information that
transfers specialized
knowledge from subject
matter experts to those
who need to use it.
What our students think….
“I’m a graphic designing,
website creating, quality
controlling, product
supporting, project
managing, engineer
translating, software
developing, technical
editing, corporate branding,
usability testing, document
designing, manual writing
major at Mercer University.
So…what does your major
do?
TCO Curriculum
•TCO core competencies
•TCO electives
•Engineering core
TCO Core Competencies
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Document and web design
Technical communication
Usability
Instructional design
Technical editing
Industry internship
TCO Electives
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Multimedia/advanced multimedia
Communication in management
Visual communication
Reports and proposals
Communication in high tech environments
Other Electives
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Visual programming
Video production
Digital storytelling
Digital photography
Internet programming
• Plus, many other options available from our
College of Liberal Arts and School of Business
Strengths of our BS program
•Emphasis on
technology and
communication
•Engineering focus
•Teamwork
•Real-world projects
Our MS in Technical Communication
Management
• Prepares working professionals to assume
leadership roles in their organizations
• Emphasizes collaborative problems that
address industry perspectives
• Delivered via distance education
• Consists of four modules
• Foundations, Media, Management, Design
Our Faculty
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Dr. Susan Codone
Dr. Marjorie Davis
Dr. Helen Grady
Dr. George Hayhoe
Dr. Susan Codone
•Former multimedia
manager for Raytheon
•Teaching focus:
multimedia
•Research focus:
clinical and professional
communication;
technology in teaching
Dr. Marjorie Davis
•Founding Chair, TCO
•STC Fellow
•Teaching focus:
usability, writing,
distance learning
•Research focus:
defining the body of
knowledge in field of
tech comm
Dr. Helen Grady
•Department Chair
•Founding Director,
Center for Excellence in
Engineering Education
•Teaching focus: tech
editing, instructional and
information design
•Research focus:
instructional strategies
for distance ed delivery
Dr. George Hayhoe
•MSTCO Director
•Editor, Technical
Communication (19962008); STC Fellow
•Teaching focus: usability,
technology, distance
learning
•Research focus: ISO
standards, research
methods
A tour of our facilities
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Usability lab
Hi-tech classrooms
Curriculum development lab
New office and student work rooms
New University Center
Historic campus
New Science/Engineering Home
State-of-the-art usability lab
Hi-tech classrooms
Well equipped curriculum
development lab
Spacious office areas
Individual student work areas
So why study abroad at Mercer?
Small school, extra attention from
Professors
Small class sizes
A vibrant student community with
many activities throughout the year
Opportunities to work with you?
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Student exchange (short/long term)
Faculty exchange (short/long term)
Project collaboration (virtual teams)
Internships
Potential certificate in TCO