B.S. in Professional and Technical Communication (PTC) with optional specialization in Internet Communication
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The Bachelor of Science in Professional Technical Communication (PTC) program helps students develop their writing skills, sensitivity to the social and cultural aspects of communication, fluency with the latest computer technologies, and strategies for information design. Students in this major will therefore take a number of courses in IIT's computer classrooms with state-of-the-art hardware and software. The required ethics component focuses on moral issues in communication, business, engineering or computer science. Finally, elective coursework in science, technology and society (STS) gives students awareness of the power of language and image to shape thoughts, values, and actions in a variety of public, private, and professional contexts.
The Internet Communication specialization brings together coursework in technical writing, communication, web design, ethics, science and technology in society, along with a minor in computer networking, to train Internet professionals.
The B.S. in Professional and Technical Communication requires 128 credit hours, distributed as shown below.
| Required Courses | Credit Hours | |
| Communication Requirements COM 421 (or 423), 424, 425, 428 | 12 | |
One of the following three 9-credit sequences:
| 9 | |
| Computer Science Requirement CS 105 (CS 201 or (CS 115 and 116) required for iCOM specialization) | 2 | |
| Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements (see Undergraduate Bulletin for details) | 21 | |
| Introduction to the Profession | 2 | |
| Natural Science and Engineering Requirements (see Undergraduate Bulletin for details) | 11 | |
| Mathematics Requirements (see Undergraduate Bulletin for details) MATH 151 required for iCOM specialization | 5 | |
| Interprofessional Projects | 6 | |
| PTC (technical) Electives | 9 | |
| AAH or ARCH Elective AAH 119, AAH 120, AAH 301, or ARCH 331 | 3 | |
| Science, Technology, and Society Electives | 12 | |
| Minor Electives CS Networking minor required for iCOM specialization | 15 | |
| Linguistics Elective | 3 | |
| Ethics Elective | 3 | |
| Free Electives | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 128 | |
| * Chosen in consultation with advisor | ||
Optional Specialization in Internet Communication
PTC majors can choose to specialize in Internet Communication, which adds Web design and management courses and a minor in computer networking that includes invaluable experience in programming, data structures, and communication.
To gain even more expertise, students may choose to build on a Bachelor of Science in PTC by pursuing a Master's degree in Technical Communication and Information Design, Information Architecture, Computer Science, Marketing Communication, or Design.
If you have questions about the PTC degree, about careers in internet communication, or about your readiness for the program, please contact
Greg Pulliam, Associate Chair of Humanities and Undergraduate Advisor
Email: pulliam@iit.edu
Telephone: 312.567.7968
FAX: 312.567.5187
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, and applications are accepted any time during the year. However, it is to your advantage to apply as early as possible, and we recommend that your application be submitted by April 1 for the fall semester or November 1 for the spring semester.
To apply online or to find more information about costs and application procedures, please consult the undergraduate admissions webpage.