A message from the faculty to all engineering students who will not have completed APSC 201 by September 2009.

“The Engineering Communication Competency Test (ECCT) is a literacy and communicative proficiency test that all students will have to write and pass to gain entry into APSC 201, starting September 2009. It is designed to test the students’ readiness for their APSC 201 writing assignments. The test is based on the types of writing assignments commonly taught in 1st year English and communication courses as well as 2nd year engineering and communication courses.

In the ECCT, students are required to respond to 2 questions based on 2 readings respectively, each readings is 500 to 700 words in length, on the following subjects: science, engineering, sustainability, and technology. Students have 2 ½ hours to write and revise their responses. Students must respond to both questions. Each response is expected to be approximately 250 words in length. Sample test questions may include the following:
-       An argument based on 1 reading or an argument based on comparing 2 readings
-       A rhetorical analysis or a comparative rhetorical analysis
-       A reported or synthesizing summary
-       A procedure or a set of instructions from a narrative
-       An expanded definition
-       Problem analysis

Of the two questions, one is harder and the other easier. Students who pass both questions have direct entry into APSC 201. Students who pass only one question can still enter APSC 201 but will be encouraged to take a remedial writing course concurrently. Students who fail both questions are required to take and successfully complete a remedial writing course before retaking the test.

We are piloting the test on Thursday, November 13, 6-8:30pm in HENN 200. To be eligible for the test, you need to have successfully completed 1st year English or be currently enrolled in 1st year English or APSC 176. Those who pass will be allowed to take APSC 201 next fall. If you fail, you can retake the test in March without completing a remedial English language course. This is the only time you are being offered this opportunity, therefore, we encourage you to take the test now. In the future, the test will be offered to UBC students only in March and to transfer students in the last week of August or the first week of September on an annual basis.

To take the ECCT on November 13, simply show up for the test with your student id.

For further inquiries, please visit this website: http://www.engineering.ubc.ca/current_students/undergraduate/ecct.php or contact Mr. Michael Schoen at mschoen@apsc.ubc.ca.”

This entry was posted on Monday, November 3rd, 2008 at 1:50 pm and is filed under First Years, Services, Uncategorized. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.