12-215   Introduction to Professional Writing in CEE

This course introduces students to the communication practices central to civil engineering and environmental engineering. Students work across a range of genres used in academic, professional, and public communication, including technical reports, professional letters, resumes, op-eds, personal essays, and reflective writing. The course emphasizes how engineers communicate across different audiences and purposes, how to organize ideas effectively, and how to develop a clear and confident writing voice. Students also learn practical editing strategies and how to incorporate tables, graphics, and other visual elements that strengthen professional communication. The class includes preparation for both individual and team presentations.

Students have flexibility to explore topics in civil engineering and environmental engineering that interest them, allowing each project to connect with emerging areas of curiosity or future career paths. Course activities include in-class writing, peer workshops, and assignments designed to help students identify strong communication practices and apply them in their own work.

Format

Concurrent with lectures and class activities, students draft and revise individual and team technical reports and will give individual and team oral presentations.

Textbook(s):

Textbook information can be found at the CMU Bookstore

Instructor(s):

• Andrea Francioni Rooney