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Course Objectives

Prerequisites

Approach

Typical Text

Course Objectives
To develop the student's ability to write effectively on computer science subjects.

Prerequisites
Graduate major in computer science.

Approach

• Learn strategies for effective writing.
• Study examples of good writing.
• Study examples of not-so-good writing.
• Write exercises.
• Write a substantial project document.

The course has two major objectives: to help each student learn principles of effective writing and produce a document of thesis quality, satisfying the writing requirement for the M.S.

Students will be given--through class lectures, outside readings, and, possibly, a text--strategies for effective writing. The intent is that by learning general principles, students may apply them to a variety of writing situations in their professional careers. Students will also consider examples of good and not-so-good writing as well as do writing exercises.

The project document will be a paper of approximately 5,000 to 7,000 words. It must be of thesis quality, both in content and in presentation. The topic must be approved by the course instructor before writing begins. The final product must be approved by two readers, normally the course instructor and a second reader who is a member of the graduate faculty. When there is a valid reason, a second reader from outside the University may be named, at the discretion of the instructor and after appropriate consultation between instructor and proposed second reader. The document must be the student's own writing--not written in collaboration with someone else. The student is advised to write on a topic with which he or she is already familiar.

Typical Text
Rathbone, Communicating Technical Information