An Introduction to Writing for Engineers
(for instructors preparing to teach or considering teaching the course)

Writing for Engineers was designed for School of Engineering students. The course fulfils a requirement engineering majors have for a second level writing course. Before this course was developed, engineering students typically took 355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing, a class that generally introduced the engineering students to writing they might expect to do in scientific workplaces. Writing for Engineers is based on the Scientific and Technical Writing class but more specifically addresses the writing and communication needs of the engineering workplace.

While all students in Writing for Engineers are School of Engineering students, their areas of specialty vary and include civil, industrial, mechanical, ceramic, computer and electrical, and chemical engineering interests. This mix creates a very interesting class environment where there are frequent opportunities for discussion about what it is that engineers say they are being trained to do: Solve problems that help make people's lives better. Following this premise, the assignments for the course have very practical applications that prepare the students for their entry into a profession that impacts on virtually every aspect of our lives.

You are fortunate to have the opportunity to teach Writing for Engineers. You'll have the opportunity to work with capable students who can produce remarkable work. To help you prepare for and work through the course, these Teacher Resources pages have been prepared. Used in conjunction with the course pages, you should have most of the information you need for an enjoyable, successful semester. In addition to the web pages (which can be viewed by using the navigation bar to the left), the Business and Technical Writing Program director is available to help in any way possible.

General Information

Writing for Engineers is taught in the Allison Road Classroom building (ARC) on the Busch Campus. The Writing Program has classroom and office space on the third floor of the building. Other than the small area used by the Writing Program, the floor houses the Math and Science Learning Center (MSLC) and the Busch Campus Learning Resource Center. The building is fairly new and generally comfortable.

The Busch Campus Writing Program Director is in Room 318. For information about a key, use of the MSLC copy machine on the floor, and related "office stuff", speak with the director at Busch. Questions you have about this course itself are best directed to Michael Goeller, the Business and Technical Writing director. His office is in Loree on the Cook/Douglass Campus. There is no Writing Program secretary at ARC, but the Busch director will probably give you your rosters and various Writing Program memos. You may have to go to Murray Hall for roster check and possibly to submit warning rosters. At mid-semester and the end of the semester, you'll schedule your folder review with Michael Goeller. As with other Writing Program classes, you need to have the Writing for Engineers students keep all of their graded work in a folder which you will collect for folder review and then return.

Instructors share Room 322. It's a nice room with two computers, but there are several instructors who use the space. Consequently, the office hour sign-up form needs to be completed as soon as possible at the start of a semester. Unfortunately, it's not unusual to have a couple instructors meeting with students at the same time. You will get your rosters, notices, and related Writing Program information in this room.

There are two classrooms (Rooms 324 and 326). Along with rather cumbersome tables and chairs, each has a large monitor, a VCR, and an overhead projector. A laptop can be connected to the monitor, enabling students to make PowerPoint presentations, as long as you or some student(s) have laptops to use.These rooms are not especially Smart Rooms, but they generally work well for what the students have to do.

The MSLC has a computer lab with about 20 computers (mostly PC's; a few Macs). You can reserve this room for your class on a few occasions each semester. To do so, see the MSLC secretary, Margie, who works for the MSLC director, Dr. Kathleen Scott. Margie has a form for you to complete and she will be very accommodating. On the reserved dates, Margie posts a note so that other users will leave when you are ready to start class. The proposed schedule shows the number of dates the lab has been used. A couple more days might be nice; you just have to determine if the room is available.

Parking is available in two keyed faculty/staff lots pretty close to ARC. Space is generally available without waiting. ARC is a distance from the Busch Student Center. Food services are not nearby, other than some vending machines on the first floor of ARC.

Is there something else you want or need to know? If so, just speak to the Busch director or Michael Goeller. They'll be happy to help you in any possible way.