The lack of a scientific background of many of our technical writing students and the continual amalgamation of the sciences make a technical terminology course an important adjunct to the technical writing curriculum. This course consists of three distinct phases: a compilation of terms already known by the students, an expansion of that list into a comprehensive list of the major technical terms in approximately fifteen scientific fields, and an indepth study by each student into a particular field. This course would help to create scholars who were conversant in most major fields of study. This would make the students more flexible in their job searches. What is more important, it would help them understand the forces that shape our civilization and thereby broaden their control over those forces.

A technical writer who wants to become a supervisor or manager needs to know technical editing. A technical editor is an accomplished technical writer whose language skills are augmented by a thorough knowledge of formats, graphics, layout and design methods, and the mechanics of publications production. Any course in technical editing should cover these five distinct areas. Language studies in technical editing require a special emphasis in proofreading and technical abridgment. The study of formats goes beyond rote memorization. Technical editing students study the logic behind established formats and learn how to improve them and develop new ones. The production and editing of graphics require artistic—and even theatrical—judgments. And the planning, preparation, and printing of newsletters, journals, and books require a special combination of verbal, visual, and manual skills. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of technical editing and the variety of technologies in which advanced technical editing skills may be acquired, the technical editor never stops being a student.

Technical writing students need information about writing for the government: one out of every eight technical writers works in some level of government. Those who do not might become involved in writing for the government in some other capacity, such as writing industrial proposals to obtain grants and contracts, or preparing scientific reports or technical manuals to fulfill the requirements of those grants or contracts. Such writing requires a familiarity with government specifications and standards. Some colleges offer courses in government writing. Those schools that cannot might consider incorporating information about government specifications and standards into their basic technical writing course.