1. Existing Situation
The course COMP 915 (Technical Communication in Computer Science, 1 hour) is currently a requirement for obtaining a PhD in computer science.

2. Issues
PhD students had a requirement to prepare and teach a 3-hr course; that requirement was eliminated several years ago. COMP 915 was taken before a student could do their teaching
COMP 915 provides training in syllabus prep, exam prep, learning goals, lesson prep and delivery, readings on other teaching skills; 2009 Web page, topics
Instructors who routinely handled this course have retired, no one has adopted the class (would be a teaching overload)
Past 2 offerings: Brooks/Alterovitz, Alterovitz/Stotts
PRP has been giving experience in writing, presenting

3. For Discussion Leave all as is
Make COMP 915 an elective in the graduate curriculum (drop the requirement)
Leave “teaching training” as requirement, allow it to be filled with COMP 915 or alternates on campus (CFE, GRAD)
Alter requirement to be “technical communications”, use some form of COMP 911 with some teaching training

4. Alternatives
COMP 911: Professional Writing in Computer Science (3 hrs) Recent offerings have been heavy on developing and delivering presentations based on the writing. Also has feedback, re-work, re- delivery to demonstrate learning from early efforts

5. Alternatives GRAD 711 – Professional Communication: Presenting
This speaking-intensive, seminar-style course focuses on presenting complex topics using plain language in professional settings. Key topics include selecting and organizing content, developing audience- centered visual aids, incorporating storytelling, projecting a professional image, and managing Q & A.
1.5 credit hours, fall, Wednesdays, second half of semester, 5:30 – 8:30 PM.  Course is graded on the H, P, L, system and can not be audited. Does not count toward degree requirements or earned hours (except for Professional Science Master’s degree programs).

6. Alternatives GRAD 704 – Effective Presentation Skills
Success in any career requires refined oral communication skills. In GRAD 704, you will learn how to create dynamic presentations.
Topics include:
analyzing the audience
developing an effective message
creating useful visuals
polishing delivery techniques
managing anxiety
handling the question-and-answer session
1 credit. Pass/Fail. Does not count toward degree requirements or earned hours.

7. Alternatives Workshops at the Center for Faculty Excellence (CFE)
CFE staff offers four workshops each semester geared toward the needs of TAs and graduate students who are Instructors of Record. Topics include:
Aligning learning goals, assessment and grading rubrics
Creating an environment for learning
Using formative and summative assessment
Writing a Teaching Statement

9. Alternatives Graduate Student Fellowship Program (CFE)
The CFE’s Graduate Student Fellowship Program provides graduate students with a unique opportunity to learn about faculty development. Based on Fellows’ experiences, goals, and skills, Fellows will be assigned to work with CFE staff members from one of the CFE program areas: Teaching and Learning, Research, or Leadership. Each Fellow will assist the CFE staff member with ongoing programming as well as complete a project on faculty development. In turn, the CFE staff members will provide professional development to Fellows to help them meet their career goals.

10. Alternatives Future Faculty Fellowship Program (CFE)
The Future Faculty Fellowship Program (FFFP) is a semester-long program that introduces graduate students to evidence-based teaching practices, helps them understand the roles and responsibilities of faculty members at different types of institutions of higher education and helps them reflect on their professional goals.
Eligible students must (a) be enrolled in a graduate program at UNC; (b) have a commitment to an academic career; and (c) be assigned to teach as an independent instructor (Teaching Fellow) in the upcoming academic year at UNC or have a faculty sponsor who will allow the student to design, teach, and assess at least three contact hours of class time in one of the sponsor’s courses.

11. Alternatives
GRAD 810 and 811 – Communicating in the American Classroom for ITAs
GRAD 810 and 811 are part of the Preparing International Teaching Assistants Program.
This program is designed to enhance the communication skills of international teaching assistants (ITAs) in the classroom. The goals of the courses are:
(1) to practice American English pronunciation and grammar
(2) to build cross-cultural communication skills
(3) to learn and implement teaching skills used in the American classroom.
Each course is 2 credits. Pass/Fail. Does not count toward degree requirements or earned hours.