Birla Institute of Technology And Science, Pilani Work-Integrated Learning Programmes Division First Semester 2009-2010 Course Handout

Course Number Course Title : BITS ZG659 : Technical Communication

Course Description : Role and importance of communication; effectiveness in oral and written communication; technical reports; technical proposals; Research Papers, Interpersonal Communication; business correspondence; prcis writing; memorandum; notices, agenda and minutes; oral communication related to meetings, seminars, conferences, group discussions, etc.; use of modern communication aids.

Scope and Objectives To introduce the learners to the nuances of various genres of technical communication, both oral and written To guide students through self-study and assignments, in performing their communicative tasks in reallife work environment. To enable them strengthen their oral and written communication skills so that they can achieve their professional goals more effectively. Prescribed Text Book : T1. Raman, Meenakshi and Sangeeta Sharma, Technical Communication: Principles and Practice, Oxford University Press, 2004

Reference Book(S): R1. R2. Stevenson, Susan and Steve Whitmore, Strategies for Engineering Communication, Wiley, 2002 Gerson, Sheron J and Steven M. Gerson, Technical Writing, 3rd Edition, Addison Pearson, 2000.

BITS ZG659

(Course Handout)

First Semester 2009-2010

Page 2

Plan of Self-Study Week No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Topics Process of Communication Barriers to Communication Technology in Communication Reference to Text Book

T1-Ch.1 T1-Ch.2 T1-Ch.3 T1-Ch.4 Active Listening Effective Presentation T1-Ch.5 Fundamentals of Writing T1-Ch.8,9,10 Fundementals of Writing T1-Ch.11,12; Appendices A to E Letters T1-Ch. 13 Syllabus for Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book): Topics covered in Week No. 1 to 8 Group Communication T1-Ch.7 Group Communication T1-Ch.7; Appendix F

11 Job Interviews T1-Ch.6 12 Reports T1-Ch.14 13 Reports T1-Ch.14 14 Proposals T1-Ch.15 15 Research Paper, Dissertation and Thesis T1-Ch.16 16 Instruction Manuals and Technical Description T1-Ch.17 Syllabus for Comprehensive Exam (Open Book): All topics given in the Plan of Self Study Evaluation Scheme: EC Evaluation Component & No. Type of Examination EC-1 Mid-Semester Test (Closed Book)* EC-2 Comprehensive Exam (Open Book)*

Duration
2 Hours 3 Hours

Weightage 40% 60%

Day, Date, Session,Time Sunday, 30/08/2009 (AN)* 2 PM 4 PM Sunday, 25/10/2009 (AN)* 2 PM 5 PM

* Legend: AN: AfterNoon Session; FN: ForeNoon Session Closed Book Test: No reference material of any kind will be permitted inside the exam hall. Open Book Exam: Use of any printed / written reference material (books and notebooks) will be permitted inside the exam hall. Loose sheets of paper will not be permitted. Computers of any kind will not be allowed inside the exam hall. Use of calculators will be allowed in all exams. No exchange of any material will be allowed.

Note:
It shall be the responsibility of the individual student to be regular in maintaining the self study schedule as given in the course handout, attend the online/on demand lectures as per details that would be put up in the BITS DLP website www.bits-pilani.ac.in/dlp-home and take all the prescribed components of the evaluation such as Mid Semester Test and Comprehensive Examination according to the Evaluation Scheme given in the respective Course Handout. If the student is unable to appear for the Regular Test/Examination due to genuine exigencies, the student must refer to the procedure for applying for Make-up Test/Examination, which will be available through the Important Information link on the BITS DLP website on the date of the Regular Test/Examination. The Make-up Tests/Exams will be conducted only at selected exam centres on the dates to be announced later. Instructor-in-Charge