GENG-8000-38 (Engineering Technical Communications)

Course Syllabus
Faculty of Engineering
University of Windsor, Canada
Fall 2019 Semester

Fridays, 4:00-6:50PM
Chrysler Hall South, Room 51

Please note: This syllabus will be reviewed during our first class meeting and an electronic copy will be
posted on the course website within Blackboard.

Instructor Information
• Name: Dr. Victoria Abboud
• Office: CHN G123
• Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:45-4:45PM and by appointment
• Office Phone Number: 519-253-3000 ext. 2065
• Email: vabboud@uwindsor.ca

Teaching Assistant (TA) Information

Name Office Hours TA Email Address

Responses may take up to 24 hours
Monday through Friday
Nada Emad Hussein by appointment via email husse11h@uwindsor.ca
Shahbaz Naziri by appointment via email naziri@uwindsor.ca
Tuba Tuba by appointment via email tuba@uwindsor.ca

Class Information
• Class: Location: CHS 51
Time: Fridays, 4:00-6:50PM
• Additional, approximate study hours: 3-6
• Estimated division of learning hours:
o hands-on labs and activities: 15
o group work: 25
o lecture: 20
o individual work: 30
o class discussion:10
• Lecture: 3 hours/week
• Credit weight: 3
• Course format: face-to-face
• Pre-requisites, from the current University of Windsor Undergraduate Calendar or Graduate
Calendar (http://web4.uwindsor.ca/calendars): N/A

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Course Description
From the current University of Windsor Undergraduate Calendar or Graduate Calendar
(http://web4.uwindsor.ca/calendars):
• Engineering Technical Communications will prepare Master of Engineering (MEng) students to
communicate technical information clearly and concisely, in written, oral, and graphical form.
This course will include topics such as grammar; sentence structure; organization; writing
reports, letters, instructions, and proposals; referencing sources; preparing and making
presentations; and corporate culture. Students will also work in teams to prepare written and
oral communications for a major project.

Resources
• Course Blackboard site

• Required Resource:
o Connect Composition 4e (Online Grammar Modules and E-text Handbook)
ISBN-13: 9781259274558.

To access Connect Composition, visit the following link with your student email:
https://connect.mheducation.com/paamweb/index.html#/registration/signup/geng8000f19d

• Recommended Resource:
o Chapter readings in the course schedule refer to the text listed below.
o Thorsten Ewald, Writing in the Technical Fields: A Practical Guide, Don Mills:
Oxford University Press Canada, 2017. ISBN-13: 9780199021499.

The Implied Contract

The instructor will strive to:
• establish an educational environment conducive to learning,
• provide quality instruction, and
• provide appropriate differentiating assessment, i.e., not every student will earn an A.
You, as a student in this class, will strive to:
• prepare for class,
• attend class and engage in your instruction,
• complete the assigned work, and
• prepare for oral assessments.

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 Learning Outcomes
In this course, students will…

Number Learning Outcome

…demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in written form by practicing their
1
writing skills through activities and assignments.
…demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in oral form by practicing their
2
presentation skills through activities and assignments.
…demonstrate their ability to use correct referencing techniques through activities and
3
assignments.
…demonstrate their ability to work individually and as a member of a team to complete
4
course activities and assignments.
…demonstrate their knowledge of professional issues through discussion of topics such as
5 ethics, corporate culture, and audience/customer considerations, as they relate to
technical communications within a workplace.
…demonstrate their ability to integrate the course material into the tasks necessary to
6
complete a major project for the course.

Course Schedule
The following course schedule is approximate and may be adjusted as necessary.

Date Topic Related Textbook Readings

Introduction, Learning Outcomes, Syllabus, Expectations
Sept 06 Burton Essay (Blackboard)
Rhetorical Situation
Audiences, The Writing Process Ch. 1 (pp. 7-16)
Sept 13
Professional Communications (Routine Correspondence) Ch. 5 (pp. 69 - 79)
Teamwork, Collaborative Writing Ch. 8 (pp. 144 - 157)
Sept 20
Information Literacy, Evaluating Sources
Referencing and Literature Review Ch. 9 (pp. 160-174)
Sept 27
Developing Credible Argument; Applying Rhetorical Patterns
Parallelism, Lists, and Layout; Framing Knowledge Ch. 4 (pp. 49-65)
Technical Sentences and Paragraphs Ch. 2 (pp. 20-33)
Oct 04 Ch. 3 (pp. 37-44)
Problem Description Peer Review (in-class activity worth 2%)
Oral Communications, Presentations Ch. 14 (pp. 252-257; 263-267)
Oct 11
Presentations, Elevator Talks

Reading Week (October 12-20)

Peer Review; Elevator Talk Peer Review Activity

Oct 25
Technical Reports and Documents Ch. 6 (pp. 84-109)
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 Date Topic Related Textbook Readings
Formal Reports Ch. 7 (pp. 114 - 142)
Nov 01
Final Proposal Peer Review Activity
Technical Graphics / Presentation Visuals (Slides & Posters) Ch. 10 (pp. 177 - 190)
Nov 08 Ch. 14 (pp. 258-262)

Technical Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions Ch. 12 (pp. 212-229)

Nov 15 Employment Communications Ch. 11 (pp. 194-210)
(Resumes & Cover Letters, Job Search & Interview Skills)
(Guest Speaker – Career Services)
Nov 22 Team Oral Presentations
Nov 29 Team Oral Presentations
*All students are expected to attend both classes of Team Oral Presentations.

Important Dates
Sept 18, 2019 The last date to ADD a course or change sections is two weeks after the start
of classes.

Sept 23, 2019 Last day for student to make a formal request to instructor(s) for
accommodation for missed mandatory academic events (tests, midterms,
labs) due to Religious Observance or attendance at a recognized
University-sponsored event should be done within the first three weeks of
the academic term.

Oct 12-20, 2019 Reading Week

Nov 13, 2019 Last day to voluntarily withdraw from the course. After this date, students
remain registered in the course and receive a final grade as appropriate. Last
day for partial tuition refund.

Evaluation Methods (refer to additional notes on next page)

% of Related
Method of Due Dates
Final Learning
Evaluation Note: Online assignments must be submitted by 3:59PM
Grade Outcomes

Sept 27: Connect Online Grammar Modules (10%)

Oct 11: Progress Report Memo + Meeting Minutes (2.5%)
Individual Oct 25: Elevator Talk Video* (+ Peer Review and Reflection) (7.5%)
30% 1, 2, 5
Assignments Nov 01: Final Proposal Peer Review (5%) – WE’LL COMPLETE THIS
DURING THE CLASS
Nov 19: Final Reflection (5%)
Oct 04: Problem Description (7.5%)
Group
15% Nov 01: Bring 5 copies of Final Proposal DRAFT to Class 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Assignments
Nov 08: Final Proposal Submission #1 (submit to Blackboard) (7.5%)

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 Sept 12: Discussion Post #1 (0.5%)
Sept 17: Post 2 Responses to Discussion Post #1 (0.25% each)
Individual Posts
Oct 03: Discussion Post #2 (1%)
to Online
Oct 08: Post 2 Responses to Discussion Post #2 (0.5% each)
Discussion 8% 1, 3, 4, 5
Oct 30: Discussion Post #3 (1%)
Board
Nov 07: Post 2 Responses to Discussion Post #3 (0.5% each)
(individual)
Nov 14: Discussion Post #4 (1.5%)
Nov 19: Post 2 Responses to Discussion Post #4 (0.75% each)
Group &
Individual In-class writing assignments will be announced and completed during class.
10% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Writing They will be worth anywhere from 0.5 to 2% of your grade.
Exercises
Team Project
Nov 29: Final Proposal Submission #2 (submit to Blackboard)
Proposal 20% 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
(group)
Nov 20: Presentation visuals due (submit to Blackboard)
Team Oral
Nov 22 & Nov 29: Team Oral Presentations – students must attend *all*
Presentation 12% 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
presentations and submit peer feedback forms (PQS) on both days to earn
(group)**
full marks)
Peer Evaluation
of Teamwork 5% Nov 29: Peer Evaluation of Teamwork 4, 5, 6
(individual)

Evaluation Methods – Additional Notes

* Elevator Talk Assignment requires students to film, upload, and share, via uView and Blackboard, a video of themselves
delivering an elevator talk. Refusal to submit a video will result in a grade of zero for the assignment.

** Team oral presentations may be videotaped for assessment purposes.

The final project submission (report and presentation) is a group effort; all individuals must contribute for a successful project.

• IF your name and signature are not on a group report, your mark for the report will be 0.
• IF you are not present during your final project presentation, your mark for the final presentation will be 0.
• IF you are not present for ALL final presentation days, your mark for the PQS component (2%) will be 0.
• IF you do not submit a peer evaluation of teamwork, your mark for the peer evaluation of teamwork will be 0,
regardless of the comments by your group members.
• IF you do not provide a genuine assessment of presentations, you will be deducted 2% from your presentation grade.
• Faculty can assign individual marks instead of group marks as necessary; e.g. students who do not
contribute to the group work will not earn the same grade as others who contribute appropriately.

Grading

Grades for the course will be consistent with the following table, per the
University of Windsor Policy M5: Marks/Grade Descriptors
http://web4.uwindsor.ca/units/senate/main.nsf/947f0bc672983a17852568b60051f690/2b7064df28cf09d985257b87005d2d87/$FILE/Policy%20M5%20-%20Marks-Grade%20Descriptors.pdf

☒ Graduate Course:
Letter A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- F
90- 85- 80- 77- 73- 70- 67- 63- 60- 0-
% Range
100 89.9 84.9 79.9 76.9 72.9 69.9 66.9 62.9 59.9

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Assessment Considerations

Late or Missed Assignments, Reports, or Projects

A student having difficulty meeting a deadline is encouraged to contact the course instructor as soon as
possible to discuss the situation in advance of the deadline. Late assignments will be deducted 10%
per day up to 3 days (after which they will receive 0 marks). Weekends are included in this count. Late
discussion posts will receive a grade of 0. Late Connect Grammar Module assignments will not be
accepted (i.e., you will receive a grade for the percentage you completed by the due date).

Missed Assignments, Tests, Reports, or Projects

o Documentation must be submitted to the Office of the Associate Dean no later than 72
hours following the absence. Documentation shall include the Faculty of Engineering
Medical Form or other appropriate documents.
o In all instances, students who miss a test will be subject to a make-up test at the
instructor’s earliest convenience in a time slot that does not conflict with your
scheduled classes. The test can be either an oral or written examination. There is no
bargaining with the instructor to change the date of the make-up test.
o Transferring the weight to the midterm/final exam may apply, if deemed appropriate.

Late Registration into Course

Students who register late for the course are responsible for familiarizing themselves with course
information that they missed. No special accommodations will be provided for missed
assignments/assessments.

Calculators
Approved calculator: N/A

Other Electronic Devices Aside from Calculators

☒ Electronic devices aside from calculators are NOT permitted during tests/exams.
☐ Other electronic devices aside from calculators are permitted during tests/exams.
Acceptable electronic devices include: N/A

Acceptable Use of Technology During Class

The use of technology during lectures and tutorials is limited to resources associated with this
course, such as lecture notes and property data information. Social media and general web
surfing are never acceptable uses of technology during class; additionally, you distract the
students around you. If a situation arises where you need to communicate by e-mail or cell
phone, please respect your fellow students and leave the classroom to attend to the matter.
You may return to class when the matter is resolved.

The Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET)

The SET will be administered in the course during the last two weeks of the semester.

Accommodation
Students with disabilities who require academic accommodations in this course must contact an
Advisor in Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to complete SAS Registration and receive the
necessary Letters of Accommodation. After registering with Student Accessibility Services, you must
present your Letter of Accommodation and discuss your needs with me as early in the term as possible.
Please note that deadlines for the submission of documentation and completed forms to Student
Accessibility Services are available on their website: http://www.uwindsor.ca/studentaccessibility/.

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Exams and Fire Alarms
Pulling a fire alarm (e.g. during an exam) is a serious offence. The Criminal Code of Canada
dictates that initiating a false alarm is a criminal offence. Such an offence could result in a
criminal record, a large fine, as well as disciplinary action under the University of Windsor Bylaw
31 where serious consequences would be likely.

Note that a criminal record may preclude you from becoming a registered professional engineer.

If a fire alarm disrupts an exam session, the decision on how to proceed or not proceed with the
exam will be made by the instructor. If students are evacuated from the building due to a fire
alarm, wait outside for directions from the instructor.

If a fire alarm sounds during a test, the instructor reserves the right to void the test and
substitute a new test of greater difficulty during the next class period.

General Class Expectations

Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance in classes and labs is critical to student success; students should seize the
opportunity to share and discuss information in labs, tutorials, and classes. The course is
designed to move swiftly and efficiently. If a student is going to miss a class or lab, s/he should
inform the instructor and TA before missing the class or lab.

Communication
Students are encouraged to utilize office hours to ask questions. Emails will be responded to
within 24 hours Monday to Friday. Only emails sent from a uwindsor email address will be
responded to. Emails should be sent with courtesy; they should include an informative subject
line, a salutation (e.g., Hello Prof./Dr. Name), a body, and a closing (e.g., Best regards, Name).

Group Work
Groups are encouraged to develop ground rules, identify roles and responsibilities, set
timelines, and set standards of communication for the group.

Academic Integrity
All incidents of academic dishonesty will be documented with the Associate Dean of
Engineering – Academic. University procedures will be followed. Such incidents may include,
but are not limited to: submission of assignments other than your own, receiving or sharing prior
knowledge of test questions, sharing or receiving information during a test by any means
(including electronic), possession of any electronic device (including cell phones) during a test
except for an approved calculator, sharing or receiving knowledge of a test with students who
have not yet written the test, sharing a calculator or formula sheet during the test, using a
solutions manual to prepare submitted assignments.

Per the University of Windsor Bylaw 31: Student Affairs and Integrity
http://athena.uwindsor.ca/units/senate/main.nsf/947f0bc672983a17852568b60051f690/06e37bd761de3505852578c3
0069a8f8/$FILE/Bylaw%2031%20-%20Student%20Affairs%20Amended%2020080110%20-
%20RW%20reviewed%20Sept%2028,%202011.pdf

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 Plagiarism: the act of copying, reproducing or paraphrasing portions of someone else's published
or unpublished material (from any source, including the internet), without proper
acknowledgement. Plagiarism applies to all intellectual endeavours: creation and presentation of
music, drawings, designs, dance, photography and other artistic and technical works. In the case
of oral presentations, the use of material that is not one’s own, without proper acknowledgment
or attribution, constitutes plagiarism and, hence, academic dishonesty. (Students have the
responsibility to learn and use the conventions of documentation as accepted in their area of
study.)

Supplemental Privileges
☒ A supplemental examination is NOT allowed in this course.

Use of Plagiarism-Detection Software in This Course

☒ Plagiarism-detection software, SafeAssign, may be used in this course.

1. Rationale. The University believes in the right of all students to be part of a University community
where academic integrity is expected, maintained, enforced, and safeguarded; it expects that all students
will be evaluated and graded on their own individual work; it recognizes that students often have to use
the ideas of others as expressed in written, published, or unpublished work in the preparation of essays,
assignments, reports, theses, and publications. However, it expects that both the data and ideas obtained
from any and all published or unpublished material will be properly acknowledged and sources disclosed.
Failure to follow this practice constitutes plagiarism. The University, through the availability of plagiarism-
detection software, desires to encourage responsible student behaviour, prevent plagiarism, improve
student learning, and ensure greater accountability.

2. Procedure. SafeAssign may be used for some or all student assignments in this course, at the
instructor’s discretion. You may be asked to submit your assignments in electronic form directly to the
plagiarism-detection software. Note that students’ assignments that are submitted to the plagiarism-
detection software become part of the database. This assists in protecting your intellectual property.
However, you also have the right to request that your assignment(s) not be run through the student
assignments database. If you choose to do so, that request must be communicated to me in writing at the
beginning of the course.

3. Privacy and Copyright. Your privacy is protected even if your name and/or student number is on your
assignments because the plagiarism-detection software does not make students’ assignments available
to outside third parties. Further, you retain the copyright in your work. Copyright, in relation to a work, is
defined in Canada’s Copyright Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-42, s. 3(1), which is available on the Department of
Justice Canada website. Plagiarism-detection software use of student work complies with Canadian
copyright and privacy laws.

4. Originality Reports. If the results of an originality report may be used to charge you with academic
misconduct, you will be notified of the result of the report, and you will be given the opportunity to respond
before any disciplinary penalty is imposed.

5. Plagiarism. Information about plagiarism and appropriate acknowledgement of sources can be found
at the Office of Academic Integrity: http://www1.uwindsor.ca/academicintegrity/

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Commitment to Excellence
Obtaining a degree from the University of Windsor requires focus, discipline, and hard work. This
class is designed to improve your technical communication skills, not to increase your grade point
average (GPA). Grade inflation devalues the degree that you are pursuing. Therefore, FINAL
GRADES ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE. If you feel that your professor has graded your work unfairly,
it is within your rights as a student to file a formal grade appeal by following specific University of
Windsor procedure (http://www.uwindsor.ca/engineering/671/grade-appeals).

Services Available to Students at the University of Windsor

Students are encouraged to discuss any disabilities, including questions and concerns regarding
disabilities, with the course instructor. Let’s plan a comfortable and productive learning experience for
everyone. The following services are also available to students:

• Student accessibility services: http://www.uwindsor.ca/studentaccessibility/

• Skills to enhance personal success (S.T.E.P.S):
o http://www.uwindsor.ca/lifeline/steps-skills-to-enhance-personal-success
• Student counseling centre: http://www.uwindsor.ca/scc
• Academic advising centre: http://www.uwindsor.ca/advising/
• Writing Support Desk: http://leddy.uwindsor.ca/writing-help-services

Summary of Assignment Due Dates by Month

Note: Online assignments must be submitted by 3:59PM
Date Assignment Where to Value (%)
Submit?
any class Writing Assignments during Class Sessions F2F 10
Sept 12 Discussion Post #1 BB 0.5
Sept 17 2 Responses to Discussion Post #1 BB 0.5 (0.25 each)
Sept 27 Connect (McGraw Hill) Online Grammar Modules OL 10
Oct 03 Discussion Post #2 BB 1
Oct 04 Problem Description F2F 7.5
Oct 08 2 Responses to Discussion Post #2 BB 1 (0.5 each)
Oct 11 Progress Report Memo + Meeting Minutes F2F 2.5
Oct 25 Elevator Talk Video + Peer Review and Reflection OL + F2F 7.5
Oct 30 Discussion Post #3 BB 1
Nov 01 Final Proposal Peer Review – completed during class F2F 5
Nov 01 Bring 5 copies of Final Proposal to Class F2F
Nov 07 2 Responses to Discussion Post #3 BB 1 (0.5 each)
Nov 08 Final Proposal Submission #1 BB 7.5
Nov 19 Final Reflection F2F 5
Nov 14 Discussion Post #4 BB 1.5
Nov 19 2 Responses to Discussion Post #4 BB 1.5 (0.75 each)
Nov 20 Presentation Visuals BB
Nov 22&29 Team Oral Presentation F2F 12
Nov 29 Final Proposal Submission #2 BB 20
Nov 29 Peer Evaluation of Teamwork BB 5

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