Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - MSE 101W D100

Process, Form, and Convention in Professional Genres (3)

Class Number: 1016

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Mon, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Surrey

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The course teaches fundamentals of informative and persuasive communication for professional engineers and computer scientists in order to assist students in thinking critically about various contemporary technical, social, and ethical issues. It focuses on communicating technical information clearly and concisely, managing issues of persuasion when communicating with diverse audiences, presentation skills, and teamwork. Students with credit for CMPT 105W, SEE 101W, ENSC 102 or ENSC 105W may not take MSE 101W for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

Weekly Topics:

  • Planning, Drafting and Revision Strategies
  • Writing Proposals
  • Team Dynamics and Collaborative Writing
  • Library Research Strategies and Referencing Conventions
  • Principles of Form and Informative RWiting Strategies
  • Persuasive Writing Strategies
  • Paragraphing, Quotes, Summaries and Paraphrasing
  • Revising Your Writing for Style (Series of 4 lectures)
  • Punctuation Strategies
  • Powerpoint and Graphics
  • Oral and Poster Presentations

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Apply rhetorical strategies to analyze an audience and tailor writing to it
Select and apply effective writing and revision strategies within various written documents
Incorporate visual aids and graphics into written documents
Identify and apply critical thinking skills
Identify and apply principles of effective team dynamics
Identify and apply research strategies and referencing and citation conventions
 

Grading

  • Professionalism/Participation 20%
  • Topic Proposal 5%
  • Paper 1 25%
  • Paper 2 30%
  • Midterm(s) 20%
  • WHMIS 0%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Notes will be provided on Canvas.
 
Reference texts: 

Stevenson, S. and Whitmore, S. 2002. Stategies for Engineering Communication. John Wiley and Sons
Leong, E.C. et al. 2016. Guide to Reserach Projects for Engineering Students: Planning, Writing and Presenting. CRC Press, New York.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html