ONLINE OFFERINGS
Effective Writing For ESL Graduate Students
This course comprises four noncredit modules providing online instruction in writing skills and techniques required of students in master's and doctoral degree programs. Instruction is suitable both for graduate students who use English as a second language and for any graduate student who needs to improve his or her writing for coursework and thesis writing at the graduate level.
Instruction is self-paced and you have up to two months (60 days) to complete a module. You will work with a qualified instructor, who will comment on and evaluate your assignments as you progress through the module. Each module typically has two assignments. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions appear below.
Tuition is $77.00 for Modules 1 and 2 and $154.00 for Modules 3 and 4. Contact us for details or complete the registration form at www.colorado.edu/iec/NCIE7100reg.html.
Module 1 - Graduate Writing: Description, Summary and Abstract
NCIE 7100-143
Begins with writing basic description: how to approach an article or other written document, an experiment or personal research; how to organize the description; considerations of purpose and audience including vocabulary, person, voice, and tone. Applies these elements to summary writing and abstract writing, covering types of summaries and abstracts, basic principles, and "how to." Requires completion of two assignments under the supervision of the instructor. Assignment 1: Describe a process in your field of study. Assignment 2: Choose a journal article (without abstract) in your field of study and write an abstract of no more than 150 words.
Module 2 - Graduate Writing: Persuasion, Analysis and Argument
NCIE 7100-144
Discusses the organization and rhetorical aspects of analysis and argument, and provides examples and web links to resources for writing persuasive documents. Covers the distinction between pure analysis (why something is as it is), pure argument (debate: pro/con), and proposal writing. Requires completion of two assignments under the supervision of the instructor. Assignment 1: Analyze a journal article in your field of study, discussing the author's point of view. Assignment 2: Argue against the author's point of view (in the aforementioned article).
Module 3 - Graduate Writing: Prospectus and Proposal
NCIE 7100-145
Instructs students in writing a basic research proposal, or prospectus, for the thesis or dissertation, including purpose, background/literature search, and intended result. The prospectus must persuade the student's academic committee that the project is worthwhile. The process for writing a non-academic proposal is similar; the need for a solution to a problem must be shown. The student should work with his or her advisor, in addition to the module instructor, to complete the assignment for this module; however, it is possible for the student to work without an advisor if the student is not yet at the point of working on a thesis or dissertation. Requires completion of one multi-step assignment under the guidance of the instructor. Assignment: Research, outline, and write a short prospectus of 1200-1500 words.
Module 4 - Graduate Writing: Research and Citations
NCIE 7100-146
Covers basic aspects of a research of the literature for graduate-level papers, reports, theses, and dissertations: how to conduct a search of the appropriate literature (including the "sorting" and analysis of dissertation abstracts, books, articles/journals, web sites); how to approach the literature (what's important and what's not, why); and how to provide citations for in-text and end-text references to the literature. The module links the instruction to texts, style guides, and online assistance, and notes the topic/field-specific reference citations required by the department and graduate school. Instruction also covers how to justify, annotate, and organize a bibliography (references not immediately used in the student's document). Requires completion of two assignments under the supervision of the instructor. Assignment 1: Prepare a list of citations for in-text and end-text references using the required style. Assignment 2: Prepare a brief but well organized set of annotated bibliographic references.
Writing For Engineering Management
Module 1 - Academic Writing: Description and Summary
NCEM 0099-581
Module 2 - Technical Writing: Processes and Graphics
NCEM 0099-582
Module 3 - Work-Place Writing: Defining Problems, Analysis and Argument, Memos
and E-mail
NCEM 0099-583
Module 4 - Writing for Reports: Proposals, Abstracts, Executive Summaries, and Citations
NCEM 0099-584
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What's a "module"? Why aren't they called "courses"?
A module is a set of lessons that focuses on one or two instructional
topics. Courses are longer, covering a number of topics.
How long does it take to complete a module?
Although you must complete the module in two months from the time of
registration, you may otherwise work at a pace that suits your schedule;
these modules are "self-paced." However, you may be able to
complete a module in as little as one or two weeks. It depends on factors
such as the time you have available for the assignments and/or where
you are in the course of your graduate studies, as well as how quickly
your instructor is able to turn around an assignment once it is submitted.
How does the module instruction work? What do I do, and what
does the instructor do?
When you log on to a module, you will find a link called "Course
Content". The content is arranged as a syllabus, or study guide.
Assignments are included. After reading and understanding the materials
in the study guide, you can begin the assignments. The study guide is
always there as a reference while you are working on the assignments.
Once you have completed an assignment, you will submit it electronically
to your instructor. The instructor will return your work with comments
and guidance on improvement. After you have considered the comments
and reworked the assignment, you will submit the assignment for final
comment and evaluation.
If I take more than one module, should one be taken before
another?
The modules are designed to be independent of each other. One does not
presuppose the content of another. However, students who need to improve
their summary writing will find it useful to have completed NCIE 710-143
before beginning the assignments in NCIE 710-145 and NCIE 710-146. Similarly,
students who need to sharpen their analysis and rhetorical writing skills
will find it useful to have completed 710-144 before beginning the assignment
in NCIE 710-145.
What are the benefits of studying online?
You will have a study guide prepared specifically for students who are
learning at a distance and who need flexibility for scheduling time.
You will have access to your course 24 hours a day. This means that
you can post discussion responses or turn in assignments anytime in
an online course. In addition, you can reread the instructor's commentary
- something you can't do in a lecture hall. Other benefits include multiple
web-based resources that you can access even after the class is over
as references in your future studies. Many instructors also are gearing
their assignments to fit your learning style preferences and to support
your areas of interests within the subject area. You learn at a pace
you choose, with control over when and where to study, all without disrupting
family or career responsibilities.
Is there a deadline for applying?
No, you can apply any time you wish.
How do I pay for a module?
If you are eligible to register, you will receive an Invitation-to-Register
email explaining how to register for the module(s). During the registration
process, you can pay by check, cash, or credit card. Payment by check
can be done by mail. Payment by cash should be done by visiting our
office at 1030 13th Street, Boulder. If paying by credit card (VISA,
MasterCard, Discover), you can do the whole process by fax, by including
the name as it appears on the card and the card number and expiration
date.
Do these modules qualify for a tuition waiver as part of a
research or teaching assistantship?
These modules do not qualify for tuition waivers at the University of
Colorado at Boulder. If you have an assistantship from another institution,
please inquire at the appropriate office.