"I didn’t study engineering to write a bunch of reports."
"Who cares if I can communicate well? I’m a whiz at math and science."
"Engineers don’t need to write."
Smart engineering students know that’s nonsense. Everyone—regardless of field of study—needs
to be able to communicate well, but this is especially true for mechanical engineers.
At Michigan Tech, you have plenty of opportunities to develop technical and non-technical
writing and presentation skills in and out of the classroom.
Helpful Websites
Here are a few links to help you with some of the communication tasks you encounter,
whether it’s in a lab, an Enterprise, Senior Design, or a co-op/internship.
Classes
Michigan Tech offers a tremendous variety of courses to help you improve your communication
skills. Here are just a few you might consider that also fulfill the HASS (Humanities,
Arts, Social Sciences) requirement.
HU 2830 - Public Speaking & Multimedia
Introduces the fundamentals of public speaking and multimedia applications. Emphasis on speaking/listening competencies in face-to-face and digital environments using online and digital tools.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall, Spring, Summer
HU 2910 - Language and Mind
Linguistic study of structural and cognitive aspects of language. Examines language design: how sounds, words, sentences, and conversation create meaning; the relationship of language, brain, mind, and thought; the ability of humans, animals, and machines to acquire language.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
- Semesters Offered:
On Demand
HU 3120 - Technical and Professional Communication
A study of written and oral communication in technical and scientific environments; emphasizes audience, writing processes, genres of scientific and technical discourse, visual communication, collaboration, professional responsibility, clear and correct expression. Students write and revise several documents and give oral report(s).
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall, Spring, Summer
- Restrictions:
May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore
- Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025 or Modern Language - 3000 level or higher)
HU 3130 - Rhetoric of Science and Technology
A study of contemporary theories of rhetoric and their application to interpreting and critiquing various forms of persuasive discourse, especially in science and technology.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall
- Pre-Requisite(s): UN 1015 and (UN 1025 or Modern Language - 3000 level or higher)
