Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Course Description:
Technical communicators are specialists who produce clearly written, well-structured documents relating to complex concepts and products, including computer software. The Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Technical Communication) is designed to give students a broad understanding of the field. It provides a strong grounding in analytical skills and practical competencies across a range of media, both paper and online. It will also give students project management skills and the ability to contribute to product and document development. The first four units of this program are taught online; the second four are taught face-to-face at Swinburne's Hawthorn Campus. The 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.) Prospective students may also wish to consider our Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Technical Communication) program, which is taught in online mode.
Aims & Objectives:
Both graduate certificate and graduate diploma programs develop students’ initial interest in, and skills with, language, research and analysis, and help them develop the range of specific skills that they need to practise the profession. On completion of the graduate certificate, graduates will understand: the theory of communication the role of technical communicators, including their role within organisations the 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 communication evaluate their own work and the work of others communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing understand and order complex information logically and ensure that products are safe to use interview subject matter experts and liaise successfully with knowledge holders, team members and printers write texts for a range of purposes and for a variety of readers create or select illustrations, diagrams, and tables to enhance a written message evaluate and use a variety of software tools for processing and presenting information create online help and other technical documents edit their own and other people’s work effectively and tactfully On completion of the graduate diploma, graduates will understand the material in the graduate certificate units, as well as: appropriate methodologies for carrying out effective user-testing the principles supporting the design of effective instructional materials the theoretical basis of structured authoring techniques the 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 documents design and deliver instructional materials manage a documentation project set up procedures documents in a structured authoring format, using appropriate software tools (such as DITA authoring procedures)
They will also know how to:
Course Structure:
The Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Technical Communication) incorporates the graduate certificate program. From 2008, the graduate certificate program will only be available in online mode. Students normally enrol for two units of study per semester on a part-time basis, however, with the approval of the program convenor, variations may be made to the recommended progression in the program. Classes for the graduate diploma (second year) level units are only offered at the Hawthorn campus.
Units of Study:
Year 1 (graduate certificate) From 2008, the following units will only be available in online mode: HATC410 Effective Communication HATC411 Developing Technical Documents HATC412 Software for Technical Communicators HATC413 Developing Online Help for Applications Year 2 (graduate diploma) The following units are only available in on-campus mode at the Hawthorn campus, until further notice. HATC425 Information Design and Delivery HATC421 Usability and User-centred Design HATC422 Managing a Documentation Project HATC424 Structured Authoring Note: From Semester 1 2007, HATC424 has replaced HATC423 From Semester 1 2008, HATC425 has replaced HATC420
Career Opportunities:
The Graduate Diploma 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 development forestry, mining and other primary industries finance law infrastructure departments publishing management consultancy defence Technical communicators with project management skills are particularly valued. For further information on career opportunities go to http://www.swinburne.edu.au/lss/techcommunications/techcommunications.html or visit the ASTC website.
Professional recognition:
The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Technical Communication) have been developed in close consultation with the Australian Society for Technical Communications (ASTC) Victoria and have their 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 ability. Graduates from the technical communications programs have the following attributes relevant both to their profession and as a Swinburne graduate: Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas: understand in-depth the techniques used in practical applications of technical communications in the workplace 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 backgrounds are able to work effectively as individuals and in teams have 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 problems are able to learn independently and are motivated to continue to do so understand developing and changing products, tools and processes relevant to their profession expect 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
Graduates from the technical communications programs have the following attributes relevant both to their profession and as a Swinburne graduate:
Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas:
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:
A degree from a recognised tertiary institution or at least two years relevant industry experience that the Selection Committee deems to be of a satisfactory standard for entry into the program. Applicants in this latter category are required to submit an example of their industry work. All applicants are required to submit a resume, including at least two academic or professional referees. Applicants without undergraduate degrees may be admitted to the program if they have industry experience which the selection panel deems appropriate, and which provides evidence that the applicant is likely to be successful in their studies.
Credit Transfer:
Applicants to the graduate certificate or the graduate diploma with suitable backgrounds may gain exemptions for a maximum of 50 per cent 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:
Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: www.swinburne.edu.au/hed/postgrad/apply 2010 Closing Dates: 19 February for start 1 March16 July for start 9 August
Further information:
Web: Enquire online Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794) Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au
