ABET 2000 Preparations

CE En Department

August, 2000

Status

Third (and hopefully final) draft of objectives being reviewed by faculty

Assessment strategy Assessment plan almost finalized Some assessment underway Remaining to be put in place 9/2000

Objectives

Current proposal is to use Attribute/Competency approach for defining objectives (patterned after ChE model)

Attribute/competency list under final review by faculty

Will finalize during today’s retreat

Attributes

1. An understanding of fundamental principles of mathematics and science

2. The ability to perform fundamental engineering analysis

3. An understanding of geotechnical engineering4. An understanding of structural engineering5. An understanding of transportation engineering6. An understanding of water resource and

environmental engineering

Attributes, Cont.

7. The ability to design civil engineering systems and solve open-ended problems

8. The ability to communicate ideas effectively9. The ability to use modern engineering tools10. A foundation in and a commitment to ethical and

moral behavior11. An awareness of cultural, societal, and environmental

issues12. An understanding of professional practice issues13. A dedication to life-long learning and service

Sample Attribute/Competencies

Attribute 3: An understanding of geotechnical engineering

Description: Students will obtain a basic understanding of geotechnical engineering principles including soil classification, seepage, consolidation, shear strength, and bearing capacity analysis. Students will also learn how to perform and apply fundamental laboratory tests on soils.

Competencies:3.1 Be able to perform fundamental calculations and analyses including weight-volume

relationships, soil classification. Understand issues related to clay mineralogy.3.2 Understand basics principles of flow through porous media including Darcy's law, the

equation of continuity, seepage forces, boiling, and filter design.3.3 Understand how stresses are transferred through soils. Be able to compute both geostatic

stresses (total stress, effective stress, and pore pressures) and induced stresses due to point, line, and area loads.

…

Assessment Strategy

Document exam performance Outside advisory board FE Exam Exit interviews Alumni survey

Document Exam Performance

Competencies listed on all course syllabi Each question on mid-term and final exams will be

linked to a competency (CE En majors only). After grading, secretaries will record scores by

competency in database. Overall performance for each competency reviewed

semi-annually.

FE Exam

All CE En majors are required to take FE exam

State FE exam board now records major and school of all examinees

Detailed listing by subject area is provided Preliminary results are excellent Documentation/recording of results by

competency is needed

Exit Interviews

All graduating faculty are interviewed by chair.

Graduates also fill out questionnaire Questionnaire will be redesigned to better

assess attributes/competencies

Alumni Survey

Alumni survey being coordinated with BYU survey sent to all students.

Questions tied directly to attributes On-line alumni survey also under

consideration by college

On-line Review Documents

On-line Syllabi

Increased emphasis on high-tech approach to curriculum by university

Helps ensure objectives (competencies) are listed on all syllabi

Makes it possible to link all syllabi to Dept. Objectives web page

Competencies should also be listed in course schedule