Technical Communication – Data Visualization (BS)

Foundational concepts and technologies of writing for a variety of digital media.

Builds on a foundation of communicating data and information in digital environments by focusing on the intersection of technical communication and artificial intelligence. Focuses on crafting clear, effective documentation and user interfaces using industry-relevant methods and software. Students learn to manage and present complex technical information, create engaging content and address the ethical considerations of documentation tools through practices such as prompt engineering. Offers hands-on experience with tools and techniques to enhance communication skills; teaches how to merge expertise with emerging technologies to shape the evolving technological landscape.

Principles and tools of visual communication in print and electronic media, with an emphasis on document design, including typography and color.

Principles of writing for the Web, including information architecture, accessibility, usability and responsive design. Explores basics of markup language and content management.

Principles and techniques of technical editing for print and electronic media, including standards, styles, copyediting, comprehensive editing and project management.

Visual information surrounds us. We engage with it to navigate the world, to act in our personal lives, to make decisions as members of society. And, the ways that we engage--the ways we look, see and interpret visual information--are social practices. Introduces visual culture, to the ways in which images wield power, shape our views of ourselves and others, and impact our perceptions of public issues. Develops awareness, understanding and the ability to think critically about visual culture. Explores the role of images and visual representation in a range of areas such as science and medicine, the environment and conflict.

Covers the latest tools and techniques needed to visualize data in a range of contexts. Students practice visualizing data and learn how to assess which tools and techniques are best suited to which communication goals.

Develops the critical thinking skills students need to manage and make sense of the unending streams of data now available in the workplace and in modern life. Students learn the common formats and organizational structures of data, as well as how data are generated, inspected, queried, cleaned and modeled. Additionally, provides instruction for common tools used to accomplish these tasks. Covers basic statistical analysis as it relates to data forecasting and correlation.

Covers how to process data and information in ways that help discover what's important about the information and what the clearest way is to communicate that information. Covers how to manage data and use a variety of software tools to communicate patterns and tell visual stories, as well as how to make choices in visualization style in ways that will assist an audience to effectively interact with and process the information.