Program Improvement Committee Report

Larry Caretto

College Faculty Meeting

December 3, 2004

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Outline

Focus on program objectives– New ABET definition of outcomes and objectives– Current program objectives worked under old

definition, but are not appropriate for new definition of objectives

Currently developing new objectives in consultation with constituencies

Comparison of draft objectives with those of other ECS programs

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ABET has redefined objectives versus outcomes

ABET criteria require “detailed published educational objectives” – New definition as “expected accomplishments of

graduates during the first several years following graduation”

– Requires periodic evaluation in consultation with constituencies

Program outcomes defined as “what students are expected to know or be able to do by the time of graduation”

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Current objectives for Mechanical Engineering program

Prepare graduates for successful careers in the mechanical engineering profession as well as continuing education in engineering

Help students meet their educational objectives through excellence in teaching

Provide opportunities for student professional development

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How we achieved our objectives for the 2001 visit

Objectives – shown on previous slide – were linked to outcomes

Had methods for assessing achievement of outcomes

Achievement of outcomes implied that objectives were met

No separate assessment of objectives

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Reformulating program objectives to meet new ABET definition

Consultation with constituencies– Discussion with professional advisory council at

meeting in May 2004 (considered as input from employers as well)

– Meeting with department student council in November 2004

– Discussion today will get input from colleagues– Alumni survey to be done in January 2005

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Objectives suggested by advisory council

No rank order to suggested objectives– Still be an engineer– Making technical presentations– Professional leadership– Positive accomplishments towards licensing if

appropriate for industry– Pursuing further study or a graduate degree

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More objectives suggested by advisory council

Continued …– Becoming a key critical member of firm– Improved standing within specialized industry– Getting a job– Willingness to take on responsibility – taking the

initiative to get work done – can-do attitude– Attitude that you can be an engineer to make a

difference not just to get your paycheck and go home

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Still more objectives suggested by advisory council

Concluding with …– Passion for excellence – wanting to be a

successful engineer– Enjoying engineering – has personal satisfaction

with work– Maintaining high personal and social ethics– Integrity and core values – do not present other’s

work as your own– Professionalism in the workplace

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Objectives suggested by student council meeting

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Department plan for determining objectives

Discussed broad ideas about objectives– Must be capable of being assessed– Not only do we have to measure them, but we

should be able to modify our program to improve the achievement of our objectives

Concluded that objectives should be similar to outcomes, with emphasis on workplace

Delegated first draft to LSC

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First draft educational objectives for ME graduates

A CSUN ME graduate should have the following accomplishments during the first few years following graduation– An engineering job or equivalent– A record of effective application of undergraduate

educational tools to accomplish tasks assigned in the workplace. This includes mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals, and engineering design, test and evaluation

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First draft objectives (continued)

– Demonstrated accomplishments in preparing effective reports, technical presentations and other technical communications

– Has been able to learn new material required to carry out job assignments

– Is regarded by colleagues and supervisors as an effective member of the work team, demon-strating skills, initiative, professional and ethical integrity, and knowledge of all issues (including economic, environmental, and societal, in a global context) affecting his or her work

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Civil Engineering objectives

During the first few years (1-5) following graduation, the graduates of the Civil Engineering program will have the following qualities:– be able to apply basic mathematics, science and

engineering principles to the solution of problems.– be able to solve practical problems.– be able to communicate effectively and to work as

a member of team.

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More Civil Engineering objectives

– have a breadth of technical and non-technical knowledge and an understanding of professional practice that will prepare them to practice as civil engineers

– be prepared for a professional engineering position, to accept increasing levels of responsibility over time, to obtain professional registration, and to continue studies in engineering and other professional disciplines

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Computer Science learning outcomes

Create an understanding of fundamental computer science and problem solving

Build an awareness of computing practices in industry and emerging technologies; emphasizing a working knowledge of current software design and development techniques

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Computer Science learning outcomes concluded

Provide a broad education that enables graduates to understand the impact of computing technologies in a societal context

Generate a sense of exploration that enables our graduates to pursue rewarding professional careers, graduate studies, and life long learning

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Electrical and Computer Engineering objectives

The electrical and computer engineering program at California State University, Northridge prepares a diverse group of graduates for lifelong careers in the field that will allow them to make productive contributions to society and to find personal satisfaction in their work. To accomplish this, graduates of the electrical engineering programs will meet the following educational objectives:

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ECE objectives continued

– an understanding of fundamental electrical engineering principles, analysis and design, including in-depth training in at least one of the fundamental areas necessary to perform detailed and complete design and analysis;

– an awareness of electrical engineering practices in industry and emerging technologies, emphasizing a working knowledge of state-of-the-art design techniques and software tools;

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ECE objectives continued

– the ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing, and the ability to work as a productive member of an interdisciplinary team;

– a broad education that enables graduates to understand the impact of engineering in societal context; and

– a sense of exploration and the ability to maintain life long learning.

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Manufacturing Systems Engineering Objectives

The educational objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Systems Engineering are to ensure that each graduate exemplifies:– The technical and managerial abilities to apply

knowledge of manufacturing systems engineering to the development and implementation of effective processes, systems and environments for contemporary manufacturing enterprises

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Manufacturing Systems Engineering Objectives continued

– The intellectual breadth of a liberal arts education and an ensuing ability to practice manufacturing systems engineering creatively, sensitively, and responsibly in the global environment

– The habit of intellectual curiosity and a desire for perpetual learning, together with their application to the maintenance of professional currency in manufacturing systems engineering

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Manufacturing Systems Engineering Objectives concluded

– The ability to communicate competently in both the written and spoken modes, and to function productively on multicultural and multidisciplinary teams

– The desire and ability to preserve the nobility of the engineering profession in its dedication to the welfare of society by nurturing ethical and professional responsibilities.

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Common objectives

Apply undergraduate knowledge to practical job tasks (design, software, problem solving)

Educational breadth to understand implications of professional work

Continued learning Teamwork and effective communications (all

engineering – interdisciplinary teams noted in ECE & MSE)

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Uncommon objectives

Registration and accepting increasing responsibility (CE)

Personal satisfaction and productive contributions to society (ECE)

Ethical responsibility (MSE & draft ME) Modern practice and tools (Comp & ECE) Understanding professional practice (CE &

Comp)

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First draft educational objectives for ME graduates

A CSUN ME graduate should have the following accomplishments during the first few years following graduation– An engineering job or equivalent– A record of effective application of undergraduate

educational tools to accomplish tasks assigned in the workplace. This includes mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals, and engineering design, test and evaluation

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First draft objectives (continued)

– Demonstrated accomplishments in preparing effective reports, technical presentations and other technical communications

– Has been able to learn new material required to carry out job assignments

– Is regarded by colleagues and supervisors as an effective member of the work team, demon-strating skills, initiative, professional and ethical integrity, and knowledge of all issues (including economic, environmental, and societal, in a global context) affecting his or her work

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You are a constituency

What are your comments on the proposed objectives for the ME department?– – – – – – –