Text

Course syllabus - Technical English

Scope

7.5 credits

Course code

ENA820

Valid from

Autumn semester 2026

Education level

First cycle

Progressive Specialisation

G1N (First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Organisation

Department of Social Sciences and Humanities

Ratified

2022-12-13

Revised

2025-11-03

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2023-07-07
    • Latest update: 2025-05-27

    Other Materials

    Articles and handouts will be provided prior to the related seminar.

Objectives

The objective of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to develop skills in spoken and written English with a technical focus and to develop the ability to understand texts in English in technical subjects.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students are expected to be able to

  1. apply technical vocabulary in oral and written assignments in English
  2. understand basic grammatical constructions in English with technical content
  3. show familiarity with different types of technical texts in English
  4. give oral presentations with technical content in English

Course content

Oral language skills

  • Descriptions of technical items
  • Presentations on technical topics
  • Discussions of technical issues

Written language skills

  • Grammar exercises with technical content
  • Process descriptions
  • Summaries
  • Reports

Requirements

Basic eligibility

Examination

OBN1, Compulsory attendance, 1 credit, compulsory attendance in scheduled teaching activities concerning learning outcomes 1-4, grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
OVN1, Exercise, 1.5 credits, web-based exercises concerning learning outcomes 1-3, grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
INL1, Assignment, 2 credits, written assignments concerning learning outcomes 1-3, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
INL2, Assignment, 2 credits, written assignments concerning learning outcomes 1-3, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
SEM1, Seminar, 1 credit, oral presentation concerning learning outcome 4, grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

For Pass with distinction (VG) on the course as a whole, the student must have earned that grade for at least 3 credits.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Three-grade scale