Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - MSE 101W D100

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

Class Number: 3849

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Surrey

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Thu, 8:30–9:20 a.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:

Topics:

 

    Planning, Drafting and Revision Strategies

    Punctuation Strategies

    PowerPoint and Graphics

    Oral and Poster Presentations

    Paragraphing, Quotes, Summaries and Paraphrasing

    Writing Proposals

    Writing Reports

    Writing Procedures

    Revising Your Writing for Style

    Team Dynamics and Collaborative Writing

    Principles of Form and Informative Writing Strategies

    Persuasive Writing Strategies and Negotiating

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 (attendance, participation in writing and presentations) 20%
  • Writing paper on professionalism 5%
  • Quiz on paragraphs - 5% 5%
  • Quiz on punctuation and lists - 5% 5%
  • Report paper proposals - 5% 5%
  • Midterm with written questions (both short and long answers) 25%
  • Quiz on negotiation and informing skills 5%
  • Project report including presentation slides with proper graphics 30%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

-Notes will be provided on Canvas.

-Reference texts:

Stevenson, S. and Whitmore, S. 2002. Stategies for Engineering Communication.

Riordan, D. Technical Report Writing Today, 9th edition, Haughton Mifflin

Ewald, T. Writing in the Technical Fields, A practical guide, 2nd edition, Oxford

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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.