Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Discontinued: This course has no new intake. This information is provided for continuing students
Course Description:
This program has been discontinued and no further applications will be accepted. Currently enrolled students must complete their studies by the end of Semester 2 2011. Technical communicators are specialists who produce clearly written, well-structured documents about complex concepts and products, including computer software. The Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Technical Communication) is designed to give students a strong grounding in the knowledge and competencies required of technical communicators. This online program is designed to develop the understanding and skills of students new to technical communication, as well as to enhance the expertise of people already working in the field. The program has been developed in association with the Australian Society for Technical Communication (ASTC [Vic] Inc.). Please note that the four units comprising the first year and leading to the graduate certificate are only available in online mode. The four units comprising the second year of the program and leading to the graduate diploma are only available in on-campus mode at the Hawthorn campus.
Aims & Objectives:
Both graduate certificate and graduate diploma programs develop students’ initial interest and skills in language, research and analysis, and help them develop the range of specific skills that they need to practise in the profession. On completion of the graduate certificate, graduates will understand: the theory of communicationthe role of technical communicators, including their role within organisationsthe analysis of user requirements and needs economic publishing processes (print, online, and internet) They will also know how to: analyse a range of forms of communicationevaluate their own work and the work of otherscommunicate clearly, both verbally and in writingunderstand and order complex information logically and ensure that products are safe to useinterview subject matter experts and liaise successfully with knowledge holders, team members and printerswrite texts for a range of purposes and for a variety of readerscreate or select illustrations, diagrams and tables to enhance a written messageevaluate and use a variety of software tools for processing and presenting informationcreate online help and other technical documentsedit their own and other people’s work effectively and tactfully. In addition to the skills and knowledge gained in the graduate certificate, upon completion of the graduate diploma, students will have gained an understanding of: appropriate methodologies for carrying out effective user-testingthe principles supporting the design of effective instructional materialsthe theoretical basis of structured authoring techniquesthe management skills required to coordinate and control document production to ensure that necessary information is available when required They will also know how to: carry out a user analysis of products, including websites and procedures documentsdesign and deliver instructional materialsmanage a documentation projectset up procedures documents in a structured authoring format, using appropriate software tools (such as DITA authoring procedures)
In addition to the skills and knowledge gained in the graduate certificate, upon completion of the graduate diploma, students will have gained an understanding of:
They will also know how to:
Course Structure:
This program has been discontinued and no further applications will be accepted. Currently enrolled students must complete their studies by the end of Semester 2 2011. The Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Technical Communication) is part of a nested program with the Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Technical Communication). Students who successfully complete the graduate certificate (online mode only) may exit the program with that qualification. Local students who are able to attend classes at Hawthorn campus are eligible to progress to the graduate diploma. Students normally enrol for two units per semester on a part-time basis, however, variations to the recommended progression may be permitted by the program convenor.
Units of Study:
This program has been discontinued and no further applications will be accepted. Currently enrolled students must complete their studies by the end of Semester 2 2011. Recommended progression Semester 1 HATC410 Effective Communication HATC412 Software for Technical Communicators Semester 2 HATC411 Developing Technical Documents HATC413 Developing Online Help for Applications NB: The above units of study are only available in online mode. Both local and international offshore applicants are welcome to apply.
Career Opportunities:
The Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Technical Communication) provides a broad range of skills valued by employers across a range of industries, sectors and departments including: software and hardware developmentforestry, mining and other primary industriesfinancelawinfrastructure departmentspublishingmanagement consultancydefence
Professional recognition:
The graduate certificate and graduate diploma were developed in close consultation with the Australian Society for Technical Communication (ASTC) Victoria, and have its support.
Graduate Attributes:
Both programs aim to produce graduates with an excellent command of English and good interpersonal skills, together with the technical skills specific to their profession. Graduates should be able to operate effectively in work and community situations, acting as mediators between the creators of complex products and end users. They should also want to operate ethically, for example by maintaining client confidentially and acknowledging intellectual property. Graduates should be adaptable and able to manage change, a set of skills particularly relevant to a profession where the technology is constantly developing. Here, their understanding of basic theory and concepts will stand them in good stead, as will their flexibility, curiosity, research skills and problem-solving abilities. Graduates of these technical communications programs will have the following attributes relevant both to their profession and as a Swinburne graduate, capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas: understand the techniques used in practical applications of technical communications in the workplaceare able to apply their knowledge to basic technical communications problems and keep up-to-date with advances in technical communications Able to operate effectively in work and community situations: are able to communicate effectively with clients from a wide variety of backgroundsare able to work effectively as individuals and in teamshave exceptional communication skills, both for understanding clients’ needs and enabling end-users to make full use of products and services Adaptable and able to manage change: are able to identify, formulate and solve problemsare able to learn independently and are motivated to continue to do sounderstand developing and changing products, tools and processes relevant to their professionexpect to undertake life-long learning, and feel a professional responsibility to do so Aware of environments in which they will be contributing: understand the role of technical communication in industry and in the community Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community: are able to understand and contribute to developments in technical communication in a critical, constructive and innovative fashion
Able to operate effectively in work and community situations:
Adaptable and able to manage change:
Aware of environments in which they will be contributing:
Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community:
Entry Requirements:
This program has been discontinued and no further applications will be accepted. Currently enrolled students must complete their studies by the end of Semester 2 2011.
Credit Transfer:
Applicants with suitable backgrounds may gain exemptions for a maximum of 50% of the program. Exemptions are granted where a student has successfully completed a unit in a postgraduate program that covers much the same subject matter as one of the technical communication units. Students with extensive industry experience may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning in a unit that they consider themselves to have already mastered during the course of their working life. For this to be granted they must submit a folio of their work and show how this folio demonstrates that they have already met the learning objectives of the unit concerned.
Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training.Further details for students considering higher education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Course Fees:
In 2010, tuition fees for this program are based on $2000 per 12.5 credit point unit of study. In the event that a unit of study is derived from another program, the applicable fee will be that of the other program. All fees are reviewed each year and may increase without notice.The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income-contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. FEE-HELP (previously PELS) is available to eligible fee-paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $83,313 from 1 January 2009). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount. For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au
Application Procedure:
