NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND WATER ENGINEERING

COURSE NAME: Technical Communication for Engineers
COURSE CODE: TCW 1103
COURSE SYNOPSIS

Technical documentation, oral and written technical reports, designing principles of technical
and professional communication , policy making and leadership skills, teamwork, conflict
management styles, public speaking skills, participation in group meetings, interview types and
skills,
This class is an overview of the research, writing, editing, gathering, organizing, and presenting
information effectively according to audience and purpose. Covered will be:

 , including such items as proposals, requirements, recommendation reports, and

business correspondence
 Oral reports and public speaking
 Use of visuals and audio to communicate material
 Research techniques using the library and the Internet

RATIONALE
Technical communication addresses attitude, knowledge and skills to enhance the value of the
engineering programme. The interfacing skills attained facilitate team building, setting the right
tone for the work climate and securing support from allt he stakeholders. Therefore, Technical
Communication lays the groundwork for the effective and efficient career enhancement in five
major ways:
a) Define conducive learning and work climate.
b) Sets tone for promoting healthy relationships.
c) Provides appropriate guidelines for work and the equitable distribution of resources.
d) Facilitates the acquisition of professional attitudes and skills in the designing and the
evaluating policies globally.
e) Advances explanatory theories for policy shifts and leadership roles in the production
governance systems.

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OBJECTIVES
I.Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:-

a) Communicate technical material in print effectively and share it with a variety of audiences.
b) Present technical material in writing and orally with confidence and poise.
c) Use leadership styles to prevent and resolve conflicts.
d) Craft policies that add value to engineering activities institutionally and nationally.

Outcome 1: Demonstration of technical communication material in print.

Outcome 2: Demonstrate that you can present technical material orally with confidence and poise.

Outcome 3: Demonstration of the use of technical material using audiovisual materials.

Outcome 4: Demonstration of technical material using relevant communication skills to a variety of

audiences, from members of the building and engineering trades and medical fields to government
representatives and the general public.

Outcome 5: Demonstration of capacity and ability to work with teams.

INSTRUCTION METHODS

The instruction methods are to be situational and shall include conventional lectures, presentations, team-
based learning, case studies, research, analyses and discussion.

ASSESSMENTS

Mixed forms of continuous assessments (40%) followed by final written examinations (60%) will be
used.

Continuous assessments;

a) Test and quizzes at the end of some/each course topic (s).

b) Practical reports, assignments and project report.

Final examination:

Written paper (s) essays and/or multiple choice papers (60%)

Attachment and Elective Reports:

a) Supervisors combined assessment forms

b) Final attachment report including any project work

COURSE OUTLINE: TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION FOR ENGINEERS

LECTURE 1: CLASS-COURSE INTRODUCTIONS

Introductions: Introduction to the class. Audience analysis. Identifying talents and intelligences

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LECTURE 2: TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION: THE CONCEPT

Definition(s), application principles, pre-writing techniques, defining project topics.

LECTURE 3: CONFLICT PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT

Leading theories: Kurt Lewis’ freezing and unfreezing model, multiple streams model, Kingdon’s 3
process stream

LECTURE 5: ASSESSMENT: ASSIGNMENT/TEST 1

Assignment one: discussion, explanation. Test one: one hour duration

LECTURE 6: DESIGNING POLICY AND LEADERSHIP STYLES

Leading theories: Top-bottom approach, Bottom-top approach: implementation processes

LECTURE 7:POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS ON SELECTED policy THEORIES

Researched theories to be presented by individuals and group representatives.

LECTURE 8:POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS OF SELECTED SELECTED THEORIES

Continued theories presentations by individuals and group representatives.

LECTURE 9: NETWORKS AND POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS

Stakeholder and needs assessment skills. Tests, Assignment two and discussions

LECTURE 10: LEADINGING LEADERSHIP THEORIES IN ENGINEERING

Students research on the theories and present individually in class. Running meetings well. How to edit
politely.

LECTURE 11 STUDY SKILLS AND EXAMINATIONS PREPARATIONS

Question papers and revision exercises. Examination preparations and Tactics

LECTURE 12: NETWORKING AND STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS

Project management (guest speaker). Team building.

LECTURE 13: TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION

. Writing emails, letters, and memos. Differences between writing for neutral and hostile
audiences.Running meetings well. How to edit politely, How to write a proposal, How to write a
proposal,
LECTURE 14: JOB INTERVIEWS
Writing resumes and cover letters. interviewing types and skills, Delivering and presentation skills

LECTURE 15 EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES

Final examination

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REFERENCES
References

1-David F. Beer and David McMurrey, Guide to Writing as an Engineer, 2nd ed., Wiley, 2021, ISBN:
0471430749.  Okay as a style and format guide for students. I never found the perfect textbook,
though.

2-Dale Jungk, Applied Writing for Technicians, McGraw-Hill, 2020, ISBN 0-07-828357-4.  This book has
grammar and style worksheets, which are useful for teaching the basics that many students don’t seem
to have and would be a waste of time to teach in class.

3-Diane Hacker, Pocket Style Manual, Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003, ISBN: 0312406843.  Very important
book for students to have. I use this when grading papers by pointing students to the relevant section of
the book when they have a grammar, style, or sense error

4-Technical Communication for Engineers Shalini Verma Vikas Publishing, 2022,Technical

Communication for Engineers has been written for undergraduate students of all engineering
disciplines. It provides a well-researched content meticulously developed to help them become
strategic assets to their organizations and have a successful career.
5- Magnalia Jackson, 2019)Situational Languages. The book covers the entire spectrum of learning
required by a technical professional to effectively communicate the technicalities of his subject to
other technocrats or to a non-technical person at their proper levels. It is unique inasmuch as it
provides some thoughtful pedagogical tools that help the students attain proficiency in all the modes
of communication.