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Tutoring Assistance

The Center for Teaching and Learning has extensive tutoring resources for many courses used in the engineering programs. For help, go to Tutor Trac and log in. There you will see tutor availability for the classes you may be enrolled in for the current quarter.

Writing and Public Speaking Tutoring

Technical Communication Program (TCP)

The School of Engineering’s Technical Communication Program (TCP), located in Huang 049, offers a variety of courses as well as tutorial services designed to help engineering students of all levels improve their writing and speaking skills and to prepare them to communicate effectively in academic or professional settings. TCP teaching staff specialize in STEM communication.

Each quarter the TCP offers several courses in technical/professional writing and public speaking/presentation. These courses are specially designed for engineering students and include individual tutorial instruction and regular practice.

The Technical Communication Program also provides non-credit writing and public speaking tutorials. Students can meet one-on-one with a writing tutor who will provide in-depth feedback on documents and advise them on drafting and revising documents such as resumes/CVs, cover letters, statements of purpose, co-term applications, conference papers, journal articles, fellowship or grant applications, and posters. Students can also meet one-on-one with a speech tutor who will help them plan presentations, design visual aids, overcome anxiety, and improve delivery.  NOTE: The TCP is not an editing service; the non-credit tutorials stress instruction and are intended for shorter-term assistance. For extended tutorial support for a document such as an Honors Thesis, students should register for one of the TCP’s formal courses (ENGR 202S).

Go to the TCP webpage to learn more or request a consultation.

TCP Courses

ENGR 102WTechnical and Professional Communication (3 units) Effective communication skills will help you advance quickly. Learn the best technical and professional techniques in writing and speaking. Group workshops and individual conferences with instructors. Designed for undergraduates going into industry. With approval can be chosen as elective for Notation in Science Communication. Spring

ENGR 103/203—Public Speaking (3 units). This practical course helps students develop confidence in their speaking ability through extensive practice in class and individual tutorials. Students learn to create and deliver a variety of speeches, ranging from impromptu speeches to formal professional presentations. Special emphasis is given to delivering specialized material to varied audiences. Students learn how to generate and organize presentations, analyze audiences, create and use visual aids, combat nervousness, and effectively deliver informative and persuasive speeches. Weekly small-group practice, rehearsals in one-on-one tutorials.  Presentations videoed for individual review. With approval, can be chosen as elective for Notation in Science Communication. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

ENGR 100—Teaching Public Speaking (3 units).  For students who have completed the TCP’s Public Speaking course, ENGR103, and are interested in becoming involved as instructors in E103. In a small-group setting, students learn how to coach and motivate students, offer critical feedback, develop an instructional plan, use audiovisual equipment for instruction, devise tutoring techniques, and teach students about delivery, organization, audience analysis, visual aids, and unique speaking situations. Weekly discussions and opportunities to practice coaching techniques either in role plays or with actual students. Students serve as apprentice speech tutors, and those who complete the course may become paid part-time tutors in the Technical Communication Program. Admission to this course is by instructor's permission. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

ENGR 202W—Technical Communication (3 units). This course focuses on how to write clear, concise, and organized technical writing. Through interactive presentations, group workshops, and individual conferences, students learn best practices for communicating to academic and professional audiences for a range of purposes. Designed for graduate students; undergrads may enroll with permission of instructor. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

ENGR 202S— Directed Writing Projects (1 unit).  Individualized writing instruction for students working on writing projects such as honors theses, articles, and fellowship/grant applications. Weekly one-on-one conferences with writing instructors from the Technical Communication Program. Students receive close attention to and detailed feedback on their writing. No prerequisite. Grading: Satisfactory/No Credit. This course may be repeated for credit. Autumn, Winter, Spring.