Quality Assurance in Engineering Education in Canada -

AccreditationDr. Eric R. Norris, Eng.

Former Chair -

Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board

&

Member - International Committee, Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE)

Historical Background

Canadian confederation - 1867.Originally 5 provinces.Grown to 10 provinces + 3 territories.Federal government responsibilities include

such things as national defense, international relations, etc

Provinces responsible for education.

Engineering Education in Canada

Universities in Canada are both “private” and “public”.

Most “private” institutions depend upon government financial support.

Entry to profession after bachelor degree.Twelve years to high school graduation + 4 years

university.Exception - Quebec province - 11 years to high

school graduation + 2 years college + university.

The Engineering Profession in Canada

There are more than 160,000 licensed engineers in CanadaCanada is the 3rd largest exporter of engineering services in the world

A Diversity of Disciplines(Classifications have no official standing)

“Traditional” - Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Agricultural, Engineering Physics.

“Recent” - Computer, Environmental, Software, Aerospace, Industrial, Geologic, Materials, Integrated Engineering.

“Niche” or Specialized - Ceramic, Building, Electronic Systems, Mining, Metallurgical, Mineral, Naval Architectural, Forestry, Surveying.

Sometimes augmented by Management

A Self-Governing Profession The Canadian constitution places professions under provincial and territorial jurisdiction. Delegation to the professions - self-governance. Licensing, discipline and enforcement. Associations formed to protect the public and govern the profession. Legislative framework established. No industrial exemption: all who practice engineering must be licensed.

Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE)

Federation of 12 provincial and territorial associations - more than 160,000 members. Represents the profession at national and international levels Accredits university engineering educational programs. Prepares national criteria and guidelines.

CCPE, continued…...

Under the Federal Trade-marks act, the CCPE is the owner of the official marks “engineer”, “professional engineer”, and “engineering”. The CCPE has the right and duty to protect the public from the misuse of the words “engineer” and “engineering”.

The Practice of Engineering(CCPE Definition)

The practice of Professional engineering means any act of planning, designing, composing, evaluating, advising, reporting, directing or supervising, or managing any of the foregoing, that requires the application of engineering principles, and that concerns the safeguarding of life, health, property, economic interests, the public welfare or the environment.

CCPE StructureCCPE Structure

Council - with representation from all provinces and territories.Board of DirectorsStanding Committees

Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board Canadian Engineering Qualifications Board International Committee

Canadian Engineering Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB)Accreditation Board (CEAB)

1965 - CEAB established. In 2002, 228 programs in 35 engineering schools accredited (including three software engineering programs).

Objective: To ensure Canadian engineering education programs meet or exceed standards acceptable for professional registration/licensure in the Canadian provinces and territories.

Purpose of Accreditation: to identify those engineering programs that meet the criteria for accreditation.

General ConsiderationsGeneral Considerations

Applies to bachelor degree programs.Program must include engineering in the titleAll options and electives are examinedCEAB curriculum content must be met by all

students (minimum path)Faculty teaching courses which are primarily

engineering science and engineering design are expected to be professional engineers in Canada

Benefits of AccreditationBenefits of Accreditationcredibility for program.graduates meet academic requirements for

professional registration.international recognition of engineering

credentials.uniform quality of engineering programs.fosters self examination and continuous

improvement.improvement or elimination of engineering

programs which do not meet standards.

Criteria For AccreditationCriteria For Accreditation

Quantitative and Qualitative evaluation.Accredited engineering programs must

contain not only mathematics, sciences and engineering content requirements, but they must also develop communication skills and an understanding of the environmental, cultural, economic and social impacts of engineering on society and the concept of sustainable development.

Quantitative Evaluation

Absolute measurement of curriculum content in terms of Accreditation Units One hour (50 minutes) lecture=1 AU One hour of tutorial or laboratory =

0.5 AU Alternative proportionate measure

Minimum Curriculum Requirements

Program minimum 1,800 AU expected to be around 2,000 AU.

Mathematics (Mat) - minimum 195 AU.Basic Sciences (BS) - minimum 195 AU.Mat + BS - minimum 420 AU.Engineering Sciences(ES) - minimum 225AU.

Engineering Design(ED) - minimum 225 AU.ES+ED - minimum 900 AU Complementary Studies - minimum 225 AU.

Minima are purposely kept low to allow innovation.

Other Considerations

Students’ exposure to profession, ethics, equity, public and worker safety and health considerations, concepts of sustainable development, environmental stewardship.

Opportunity to learn independentlyOpportunity to work in teams

Professional Considerations

Dean, Department Chair, Program coordinators and faculty teaching courses which are primarily engineering science and engineering design are expected to be registered professional engineers in Canada.

Curriculum development and control should be in the hands of registered professional engineers

Professional Licensing

National Guidelines for Licensing

Candidate Types: CEAB grads CEAB recognized grads (MRA) Non-CEAB recognized grads Related-discipline grads

Requirements for Licensure

AcademicExperienceProfessional Practice ExamLanguageReferences

Academic Assessment

CEAB accredited or recognized program

Confirmatory ProgramExamination Program

Experience Evaluation

Application of theoryPractical experienceManagement of engineeringCommunication skillsSocial implications of engineering

Professional Practice Examination

3 hour examinationProfessionalismEngineering Law

Language

French in Quebec, French or English in New Brunswick, English in all other jurisdictions

References

technical competence in the application of engineering principles and theory

ability to exercise professional judgmentability to communicate effectively in the

language of the jurisdictionability to work on a teamcharacter

Role of Associations

Setting standards (academic, experience, references) for admission to the profession and issuing licenses to those who qualify.

Enforcement activities for those practicing engineering who are not licensed or those claiming to be engineers who are not licensed.

Investigation of complaints against Members.

Role of Associations, continued...

Discipline activities against members who perform incompetently, breach the Code of ethics, code of conduct;

Preparation of guidelines relating to various practice issues for the benefit of the public or the membership;

Continuing competency programs.

International Agreements

Recognition of “Substantial Equivalency” of systems of accreditation of educational programs.

MRA with ABET.The Washington Accord.CEAB performs the evaluation of

equivalency.

The Washington AccordCharter signatories (1989) are

Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States.

An agreement among bodies responsible for accrediting professional engineering degrees in signatory countries.

The Washington Accord

Subsequent signatories are Hong Kong (1995), South Africa (1999)

Degrees accepted only from date of acceptance into the Accord.).

Degrees recognized only within the national boundaries of signatories.

Licensure is governed by the rules of the respective signatories.

The Washington Accord

Applies only to undergraduate degrees in the signatory countries.

New signatories require unanimous approval.

Comprehensive review at intervals not to exceed 6 years.

General meeting every 2 years.

The Washington Accord

Location of Secretariat and Chair appointed at end of general meeting – not to be same country.

Application for provisional status must be supported by 2 signatories – approval requires 2/3 majority.

Provisional status for minimum of 2 years.

Thank You !