teaching with writing

engineering syllabi

Although an engineer's ultimate goal is the production of objects, most don't construct the objects themselves. Their attention, instead, is focused on communicating ideas and designs to those who will be involved in production. Detailed, accurate, and persuasive writing is, therefore, crucial in all engineering fields. In fact, Aaron Krawitz, who teaches mechanical and aerospace engineering courses at the University of Missouri, notes that "because of the technical nature of engineering, and the financial and legal consequences, [engineers] might arguably be asked to present more ideas in writing (and verbally) than most graduates of our campus" (Patton et al. 66). The writing required of engineers is not limited to formal design proposals or descriptive lab reports; they also compile and explore ideas, design sketches, and record observations in laboratory notebooks. Organizing ideas in these ways allows engineers to keep track of ideas as they occur. The record of these ideas may be important not only to research in engineering, but also to the patent process.

sample syllabi

civil engineering

• Civil Engineering 4101, Project Management and Economics: an upper level writing-intensive course that incorporates informal writing, proposals, reflective memos, and contract grading.

mechanical engineering

• Mechanical Engineering 4054, Design Projects: an upper-level course requiring a design notebook, progress memos, a mission statement, product specifications, and a substantial design report.
  
  
• Mechanical Engineering 4431, Energy Conversion Systems Laboratory: an upper-level laboratory course requiring both written and oral communication.

more syllabus support

• CLE Writing-Intensive Course Guidelines and Writing-Intensive Requirements: an instructor's guide to the University of Minnesota's W-I requirements. 
  
  
• "Design of an Introductory Engineering Course": an article exploring problem-based and cooperative learning in a civil engineering course.
  
  
• "Engineering Design and Communication: A Foundational Course for Freshmen": an article highlighting the intersections between engineering and writing.

Patton, Martha D., Aaron Krawitz, Kay Libbus, Mark Ryan, and Martha A. Townsend. "Dealing with Resistance to WAC in the Natural and Applied Sciences." Language and Learning Across the Disciplines. 3:1. University of Missouri. http://wac.colostate.edu/llad/v3n1/patton.pdf.

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