STUDENTOUTCOMESASSESSMENTPLAN

MechanicalEngineeringProgram

DepartmentofMechanicalEngineering
CollegeofEngineering
CaliforniaStateUniversity,Fresno

April2008

StudentOutcomesAssessmentPlan

Introduction
TheStudentOutcomesAssessmentPlan(SOAP)fortheDepartmentofMechanical
Engineering(ME)isbasedontherequirementsoftheAccreditationBoardforEngineeringand
Technology(ABET)thatstipulateastatementoftheeducationalobjectivesoftheprogramand
howitisensuredthattheobjectivesareachieved. Keyprogramdataandassessment
informationareincludedintheselfstudydocumentsubmittedtoABETinJune2006.The
SOAPdocumentrepeatsmuchofthedataintheABETreportwithafocusoneducational
objectives,assessmentactivities,therelationbetweenobjectivesandassessmentactivities,
andatimelineforimplementingtheactivities.

ProgramEducationalObjectives
Toachievethemissionoftheprogram,studentlearningobjectivesweredevelopedto
enablethegraduatesoftheMechanicalEngineeringprogramtobeableto:
1. Applyskillsandunderstandingofengineeringscienceswithafoundationin
mathematics,chemistryandphysics,necessaryforengineeringpractice.
2. Designanddevelopcomponents,systemsandproductsthatmeetspecified
requirements,makeprudentuseofresources,andareofacomplexityencounteredin
professionalpractice.
3. Test,evaluateandexecuteengineeringsolutionstoproblemsandprojectsthatare
practicalandofacomplexityencounteredinprofessionalpractice.
4. Designandconductexperiments;analyzeresults.
5. Communicateandperformaseffectiveengineeringprofessionalsinbothindividualand
teambasedprojectenvironments.
6. Practiceprofessionalandethicalresponsibilities,includingthesocietalimpactof
engineeringsolutions.
7. Recognizeandunderstandcontemporaryissuesandtheroleofprofessionalsinglobal
society.
8. Developintellectuallyandtechnicallythroughcontinuedlearning.

ProgramOutcomesandRelationtoEducationalObjectives
The Mechanical Engineering program requires that students completing a BSME degree to
acquiretheskillsnecessarytosucceedintheengineeringprofession.Thenecessaryskillswere
identifiedandapprovedbythefaculty,students,andtheAdvisoryCouncil.Theserequirements
alsomeetthestandardsestablishedbyABETforMechanicalEngineeringprograms.

Tomakesurethattheskillsaredeliveredtothestudents,ProgramOutcomeswereestablished
andrelatedtotheprogramsEducationalObjectives.Surveyswereconductedtodetermineif
theEducationalOutcomeswereachieved.Thesurveyswereconductedatintervalsestablished
bytheCollegeofEngineeringandtheDepartment.

ThefollowinglistofprogramoutcomeswaschosenbytheMEfacultymembersonthebasisof
theoutcomerequirementsstipulatedbyABET.
a.Applyfundamentalconceptsofmathematicstoproblemsinengineeringapplications
b.Applyfundamentalconceptsofsciencetosolveproblemsinengineeringapplications
c.Applyanalyticalskillstosolveengineeringproblems
d.Conductexperiments,analyzedata,andpresentresults
e.Applytheknowledgegainedtodesignacomponentorasystemthatmeetsthespecific
criteria
f.Workonmultidisciplinarygroupprojectstoenhanceinterpersonalandleadershipskills
g.Understandtheimportanceofethicalandprofessionalresponsibility
h.Makeeffectiveoralpresentationsofideasonengineeringdesignsolutions
i.Prepareandpresenttechnicalinformationeffectivelyinareport/documentform
j.Communicateeffectivelyinteam/groupsettings
k.Incorporateeconomic,environmental,andsafetyconsiderationindesignprocesses
l.Conductindependentresearchforinformationrequiredinengineeringproblemsolving
m.Participateintechnicalandprofessionalsocietiesforprofessionalgrowth
n. Understand the need for lifelong learning experience via advanced studies and/or
professionalregistration
o.Gainunderstandingofglobalissuesrelatedtoengineering


Table1illustrateshowtheMechanicalEngineeringprogramobjectivesarerelatedtothe
programoutcomes.

Table1ProgramOutcomesinRelationtoEducationalObjectives

D=Outcomeshavedirectorsignificantrelationtotheeducationalobjectives.
I=Outcomeshaveindirectormoderaterelationtotheeducationalobjectives.

EducationalObjectives
PROGRAMOUTCOMES
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
a.Applyfundamentalconceptsofmathematicstosolve
D I I
problemsinengineeringapplications.
b.Applyfundamentalconceptsofsciencetosolve
D I I
problemsinengineeringapplications.
c.Applyanalyticalskillstosolveengineeringproblems.
D I D
d.Conductexperiments,analyzedata,andpresentresults. I I D D
e.Applytheknowledgegainedtodesignacomponentor D D I I I
asystemthatmeetthespecificcriteria
f.Workonclass/multidisciplinarygroupprojectsto
I D I D
enhanceinterpersonalandleadershipskills.
g.Understandtheimportanceofethicalandprofessional
I D
responsibility
h.Makeaneffectiveoralpresentationofideason
I I I D
engineeringdesignsolutions.
i.Prepareandpresenttechnicalinformationeffectivelyin I I D
areport/documentform.
j.Communicatewithotherseffectivelyinateam/group
setting.
k.Incorporateeconomic,environmental,andsafety
considerationinadesignprocess.
l.Conductindependentresearchforinformationrequired
inengineeringproblemsolving.
m.Beawareoftheneedforparticipationintechnicaland
professionalsocietiesforprofessionalgrowth.
n.Understandtheneedforlifelonglearningexperience
viaadvancedstudiesand/orprofessionalregistration.
o.Gainanunderstandingofglobalissuesrelatedto
engineering

AssessmentActivities
Theprocessofassessingtheoutcomesachievedbyourstudentscoverstheperiodofstudyby
thestudentsattheUniversityandtheirprofessionalcareersasalumni.Theprocessincludesthe
assessment of outcomes for every engineering course the student takes, junior year
assessment,senioryear(exit)assessment,alumniassessment,andemployerassessment.The
process is implemented using fiveassessment instruments: Course Survey, Junior Survey,
SeniorSurvey,AlumniSurveyandEmployerSurvey.TheseareshowninTableB.2.Studentand
faculty perspectives were analyzed and where there were concerns, these concerns were
addressedasquicklyaswaspossibleinordertofacilitateprogramimprovement.Thealumni
and industry concerns were considered primarily for longterm changes in the program of
study.
Table2MEProgramAssessmentActivitiesRelativetoObjectives
Constituency

Assessment
Tool

Frequency

Time

Target

Outcomes Assessed

Alumni

Survey

Everythird
year

Fallsemester

Graduatesof
pasteightyears

athruo;abilitytoworkas
teamandindependently

Employer

Survey

Everythird
year

Fallsemester

Allemployers

athruo;organizingskills,and
overallperformance

Advisory
Council

Meetings

Annual

FallandSpring
semesters

Department
advisorygroup

objectivesandoutcomes;
strategicplan

Sr.Survey
(exit)

Every
semester

FallandSpring
semesters

Allgraduating
Seniors

athruo

Junior
Survey

Annual

Fallsemester

StudentsinME
core

athruo

Course
Survey

Every
semester

Fall/Spring
semesters

Allcourses

athruo;comparisonof
facultyexpectationswith
studentachievements

Coop
Survey

Annual

Fallor Spring
semester

Active
companies

Assessmentofstudent
competencies

Forum

Annual/Semi
annual

Falland/or
Spring
semester

Allstudentsin
theprogram

Assessmentoflearning
outcomes

Students

Students
and
Faculty

ParametersforMeasuringOutcomesAchievement
Theparametersusedtomeasurethelevelofoutcomeachievement,necessarytoproduce
graduateswhowillultimatelyachieveeducationalobjectives,werethefollowing:
1. Levelofstudentagreementwithfacultyonexpectedoutcomesofspecificcourses
2. Degreeofsatisfactionofalumniwiththeireducationonascaleof1through5(1=
least,5=mostsatisfied)
3. Degreeofsatisfactionofcompanieswithourgraduates(1=least,5=most)
4. Successofstudentsininternshipprogram
5. Successofgraduatingstudentsobtainingjobsinmechanicalengineering
6. Howsuccessfulalumnifeeltheyare
7. SuccessofMEstudents/alumniinEITexaminationrelativetorestofstate

SurveyData
AlumniSurvey:ThelastalumnisurveywascompletedinApril2006.Theresultsof13responses
havebeensummarizedinTable3.

Table3AlumniSurvey(1Weak5Strong)

a.RatefollowingitemsrelativetoyoureducationatCollegeofEngineering

Parameter
Overallqualityofyoureducation
Overallqualityofyourlaboratorycoursework
Support,assistanceandgeneralhelpfromCollegeofEngineering
Howpreparedwereyouinhandlingprofessionaltasksaftergraduation
IfyouparticipatedinVIPCoopprogram,ratequalityofyourexperience

Rating
3.6
3.2
3.7
3.8
3.5

b.Indicatethedegreetowhichyoureducationprovidedyouwithabilityto:

Applyknowledgeofmath,scienceandengineering
Designandconductexperiments
Designasystem,componentorprocesstomeetdesiredneeds
Functiononmultidisciplinaryteams
Identify,formulateandsolvetechnicalproblems
Understandprofessionalandethicalresponsibility
Communicateeffectively(writtenandoral)

3.9
3.5
3.8
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.1

Workindependently

4.2

Additionalinformationfromthesurveywasasfollows:

85% of the respondents graduated in the last seven years, and 15% before
1999.Breakdownbythenatureoftheworkis:Industry(65%),Consulting(8%),
Government(8%),andEducation(8%).

15% consider themselves very successful with another 62% considering

themselvestobesuccessful.Only23%considerthemselvestobeaverage.

EmployerSurvey:Theemployersurveyprovidesvaluablefeedbackinformationonthequality
of education received by our graduates and their performance on the job. The Employer
Survey form is given in Table 4, together with compositeevaluations. Nine local companies
employingMEgraduatesresponded.Theseresponsesareverysignificantsincethesearesmall
companiesandthequalityofeachoftheiremployees,especiallyengineers,iscriticaltotheir
success.

Table4Employersurvey(5Faraboveaverage,1Farbelowaverage)
Parameter

Rating

Abilitytoformulateandsolveproblems

3.7

Abilitytoconductexperiments

3.5

Abilitytoworkonmultidisciplinaryteamsorprojects

3.6

Abilitytoworkindependently

3.7

Abilitytocommunicateeffectively(writtenandoral)

3.2

Ability/desireforselflearning/continuingeducation

3.6

Abilitytousemoderntechnologiesandtoolsnecessaryforpractice

3.7

Leadershipandsupervisoryskills

2.9

Selfconfidenceandinitiative

3.2

Ethicalbehavior

3.9

Planningandorganizingskills

3.4

Understandingofglobalandcontemporaryissues

2.8

Overallperformance

3.7

Inevaluatingtheresultsofemployerresponse,thefollowingstandout:

Thegraduatewereratedthehighest(3.73.9)inthefollowingcategories:
a. Ethicalbehavior
b. Abilitytoformulateandsolvetechnicalproblems
c. Abilitytoworkindependently
d. Abilitytousemoderntechnologies
e. Selfconfidenceandinitiative
f. Overallperformance
Thegraduateperformedwellaboveaverage(3.43.6)inthefollowingcategories:
a. Abilitytofunctiononmultidisciplinaryteamsorprojects
b. Ability/desireforselflearning/continuingeducation
c. Planningandorganizingskills
d. Abilitytoconductexperiments
Theemployersgavethelowestscores(2.82.9)inthefollowingcategories:
a. Understandingofglobalandcontemporaryissues
b. Leadershipandsupervisoryskills

TheoverallresultsfromtheemployersurveyindicatesthattheMEcurriculumisprovidingthe
necessary skills expected of a graduate in mechanical engineering in most areas. The
communication skills are about average and have shown improvement when compared to
previous ABET report. The changes necessary to improve the communication skills were
discussedwithinthefaculty,withtheAdvisoryCouncilandwithVIPboardmembers.Theresult
was the introduction of ENGR 105W (Engineering and Entrepreneurship), a technical writing
course for engineering students that has just been approved by the University writing
committee.ThecoursewillbeofferedasanelectivetotheCollegeofEngineeringstudents,as
an alternative to passing the University Writing Exam requirement, but will be strongly
recommended by the ME faculty advisors to the ME students. Categories with the lowest
rating(UnderstandingofglobalandcontemporaryissuesandLeadershipandsupervisoryskills)
shouldimprove,firstwithfocusonthecapstonecourse,ME155,andonthePoliticalScience
courses, and second, with greater emphasis on leadership positions in student professional
societiesandonteamprojects.

JuniorSurvey:ThelastJuniorsurveywasadministeredintheSpring2006semester.Theresults
ofthesurveyhavebeensummarizedinTable5.

Table5Juniorsurvey(5=Veryimportant/satisfied1=Notimportant/verydissatisfied)

ProgramOutcome

Howimportantto Howsatisfiedwith
BSMEdegree
educationatCSUF

a.Applymathconceptstoengineeringproblems

4.23

3.56

b.Applysciencetoengineeringproblems

4.23

3.56

c.Applyanalyticalskillstoengineeringproblems

4.19

3.40

d.Conductexperiments;analyzeandpresent

4.00

3.62

e.Applyknowledgetodesigncomponent/system

4.23

3.31

f.Workonmultidiscip.projects;leadershipskills

3.96

3.24

g.Understandethical&profess.responsibility

3.62

3.52

h.Makeeffectiveoralpresentations

3.54

3.12

i.Presenttechinfoeffectivelyindocument/report

3.70

3.37

j.Communicatewithothersinteameffectively

3.85

3.50

k.Incorporateeconomics,safety&environment

3.75

2.94

l.Conductindependentresearchreq.forproblem

3.80

3.11

m.Participateintech.andprofessionalsocieties

3.65

3.06

n.Knowneedforlifelonglearning

3.65

3.24

o.Understandglobalissuesrelatedtoengineering

3.35

2.88

TheresultsoftheJuniorsurveyindicatethatthereisroomforimprovingstudentsatisfactionin
amajorityoftheoutcomes.Improvementintheseoutcomesisexpectedasthestudenttakes
moreoftheupperdivisioncourses.TheassessmentofSeniorandExitSurveysshouldindicate
the improvement in the performance of the students. The results of the Junior Survey are
sharedwiththefacultyandthemeasurestoimprovetheperformancehavebeendiscussedon
aregularbasissince2000.

SeniorSurvey:TheseniorsurveyofgraduatingclasswasadministeredinSpring2006inME166,
theEnergySystemsDesigncourse.AsummaryisgiveninTable6.

Table6Seniorsurvey(5=Veryimportant/satisfied1=Notimportant/verydissatisfied)
ProgramOutcome

Howimportantto Howsatisfiedwith
BSMEdegree
educationatCSUF

a.Applymathconceptstoengineeringproblems

4.15

3.75

b.Applysciencetoengineeringproblems

4.26

3.50

c.Applyanalyticalskillstoengineeringproblems

4.45

3.55

d.Conductexperiments;analyzeandpresent
results

4.25

4.11

e.Applyknowledgetodesigncomponent/system

4.42

3.79

f.Workonmultidiscip.projects;leadershipskills

4.30

4.26

g.Understandethical&profess.responsibility

3.65

3.37

h.Makeeffectiveoralpresentations

3.70

3.55

i.Presenttechinfoeffectivelyindocument/report

4.11

3.90

j.Communicatewithothersinteameffectively

4.35

3.79

k.Incorporateeconomics,safety&environment

3.90

3.11

l.Conductindep.researchrequiredforproblem

3.85

3.45

m.Participateintech.andprofessionalsocieties

3.65

3.00

n.Knowneedforlifelonglearning

3.61

3.33

o.Understandglobalissuesrelatedtoengineering

3.44

3.22

Table7showshowsatisfiedeachgroupiswiththeeducationthattheyreceivedfromCSUF,as
appliedtoeachoutcome.

Table7JuniorandSeniorSurveyComparisons(5=Satisfied11=Verydissatisfied)

Howsatisfiedwith Howsatisfiedwith
educationatCSUF educationatCSUF
(Junior)
(Senior)

ProgramOutcomes
d.Conductexperiments;analyzeandpresentresults

3.62

4.11

e.Applyknowledgetodesigncomponent/system

3.31

3.79

f.Workonmultidiscip.projects;onleadershipskills

3.24

4.26

h.Makeeffectiveoralpresentation

3.12

3.55

i.Presenttechnicalinfoeffectivelyin
document/report

3.37

3.90

j.Communicatewithotherseffectivelyina
team/group

3.50

3.79

k.Incorporateeconomics,safetyandenvironmental

2.94

3.11

o.Gainanunderstandingofglobalissuesinengr.

2.88

3.22

TheprimaryinferencethatmaybedrawnfromthecomparisonofJuniorandSeniorsurveysis
thatstudentsarelearning(improving)inallexpectedprogramoutcomes.Thesetrends
indicatethatthereisaprogressivedevelopmentinthepreparationofourstudentstobecome
successfulengineers.ThisalsoindicatestheMEprogramofstudyissuccessfulinitsmission.

Senior Exit Interview: The exit interview was a meeting of the department faculty with the
graduating seniors where comments on their education experience at the University were
solicitedweresolicitedfromthestudents.AsummaryofcommentsispresentedinTable8.

Table8SummaryofexitinterviewofgraduatingSeniors
Topic

Response

a.Curriculum

Basiccoursesnotperfectbutgiveenoughunderstandingto
succeedinrealworld;needmorefundamentals

b. Instruction received

Someprofessorsaregreat;needbetteraccessto
laboratories;bestcoursesareinfluidsandthermo;lacking
inmachinedesign

c. Lab/Project experience

Projectandlabsprovidedrealworld experience;
equipmentmustbeupdated;havingthreeprojectsinone
semesterisaseriousproblem

d.Availabilityofcourses

Occasionaltimeconflictsaproblem;needtoteach
engineeringprojectmanagement;needintrotoPLCs;need
enginedesignincourse

e.Accessibilityoffaculty

Mostmembersofthefacultyareavailablebeyondregular
officehoursforconsulting

f.Participationin
professionalactivities

MoststudentsaremembersofASME and/orSAE;high
successrateamongthosewhotookFE/EITexam

g.Overallexperience

Wellpreparedforinterview;feellikecouldstepintoajob
anddoit;workingaspartofateamonaprojectisgreat
experience

h.Plansaftergraduation

Obtainemploymentinindustry;someconsidering
graduatestudies

Commentsbythegraduatingstudentsareimportanttofacultyandprovidevaluableinputon
howwelltheprogramoutcomesareattained.Theyalsopointedoutsomeshortcominginthe
programthatwillbeaddressed.Theseinputshavebeenafactorinthechangesmadeinthe
MEprogramofstudy.
CourseSurveys:CourseoutcomesurveyshavebeenadministeredtoallMEcoursessinceFall
2000 semester. These surveys were instituted in order to have the faculty define which
outcomesacourseshouldsatisfyandobtainfeedbackfromthestudentsonhowwelltheyfeel

that these outcomes have been achieved. The results of the course outcomes survey are
summarizedinTable9.Thistablewasobtainedbyasurveyofthefaculty,whowereaskedto
list what outcomes were desired and whether each was Very Strong (VS) or Strong (S). The
samesurveywasgiventothestudents,whowereaskedtousea5(Strong)to1(Weak)rating.
Table 9 shows a summary of students assessment of achieved outcomes by course, as
comparedtooutcomesdesiredbythefaculty.Mostofthestudentresultsareforperioddating
back to the last ABET visit. The surveys show how well the outcomes are achieved and the
trendsincaseswheretheachievementbythestudentsisbelowMEfacultyexpectations.

TheresultsofthesurveyshowthatMEstudentsfeelthatalloftheeducationaloutcomesare
achieved. The weakest outcomes were m, n and o, awareness of need for participation in
professionalsocietiesforprofessionalgrowth,inunderstandingneedforlifelonglearning,and
inunderstandingglobalissuesrelatedtoengineering.WiththeintroductionofthecoursesME
135andME2,andwithgreateremphasisonoutcomes,theresultsshouldimproveinfuture
assessments.

Someobservationscanbemadefromthelearningoutcomesassessmentdatatabulatedin
Table9:

Expectedlearningoutcomesforsomeofthecoursesshouldbereevaluatedasthey
appeartobeinconsistentwithcoursecontent.
Negativetrendsinsomecourseoutcomesarebasedononlytwosemestersofdata;
thesewillbefollowedcloselyinthefuture.
Studentsassessmentsinmostcourseswereconsistentwithdesiredoutcomeswith
ratingsofS(Strong)orV(VeryStrong).SomecourseshavefacultyexpectationsofV
(VeryStrong)butreceivedprimarilyS(Strong)ratingsbythestudents.Thisisnota
negativeresultsincetheratingsarehighlysubjectiveandarestronglydependentonthe
individualMEfacultymembersandtheirteachingstyles.

TableB.3.9Studentassessmentsummarybycourse
Course

Outcomes

ME1:Intro.ToMechanicalEngr.

e,f,g,j,m,n

ME26:Engineeringgraphics

b,e,g,n

ME31:EngineeringMaterials

a,b,c

ME32:EngineeringMaterialsLab

b,d,f,i,j,l

ME95/191T:ProductDevelop.

b,e,f,i,j,k,l

ME112:Dynamics

a,b,c,e,i,l

ME115:Instr.andMeas.Lab

a,b,c,d,e,l

ME116:FluidMechanics

a,b,c,e

ME118:FluidMechanicsLab

b,c,d,f,i,j

ME125/191T:Engr.Stat.andExp.

a,d

ME134:Dyn.inMachineDesign

a,b,c,d,e,m

ME135/191T:ProductDesign

a,b,c,e,f,g,i,j,k,o

ME136:Thermodynamics

a,b,c

ME137:Turbomachinery

a,b,c,e,l,m,n

ME140:AdvancedEngr.Analysis

a,c

ME142:MechanicalVibrations

a,b,c,e

ME144:Adv.Mech.ofMaterials

a,b,c,e

ME145:HeatandMassTransfer

a,b,c,e,f

ME146:AirConditioning

a,b,c,e,k,l,m,n,o

ME154:DesignofMach.Element

a,b,c,e,f,h,i,j,l,n

ME155:ElementsSystemsDesign

c,e,f,h,i,j,k,l

ME156:AdvancedThermoFluids

a,b,c,e

ME159:MechanicalEngr.Lab

a,b,c,d,f,i,j

ME162:ComputerAidedDesign

c,e

ME164:MachineDesign

a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,l

ME166:EnergySystemsDesign

a,b,c,e,f,h,i,j,k

Comments
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentbelowexpectationfor
outcomesb,g,n
Studentassessmentbelowexpectationfor
outcomesa,b,c
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentbelowexpectationfor
outcomese,i,l
Studentassessmentbelowexpectationfor
outcomea
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentbelowexpectationfor
outcomesa,b,d,m
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentbelowexpectationfor
outcomesl,m,n
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentbelowexpectationfor
outcomesb,c,e
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentbelowexpectationfor
outcomesk,l,m,n,o
Studentassessmentbelowexpectationfor
outcomesf,h,i,j,l,n
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes
Studentassessmentbelowexpectationfor
outcomesa,b,c,d,g,h
Studentassessmentconsistentwithfacultyfor
alloutcomes

Trend
Stable
Stable:b,e,n
Positive:g
Positive
Stable
Notenoughdata
Stable:a,b,c,i
Positive:l
Stable:a,b,c,e,l
Positive:d
Stable
Stable
Notenoughdata
Negative:a,b,d,m
Stablec,e
Notenoughdata
Stable
Notenoughdata
Stable
Stable:a,
Negative:b,c,e
Stable
Stable
Notenoughdata
Stable:a,b,c,e,f,n
Positive:h,i,j,l
Notenoughdata
Stable
Notenoughdata
Notenoughdata
Stable:a,b,c,d,e,f,j
Positive:g,i,l
Stable

Coop Survey: A formal coop/internship program was initiated beginning in Spring 2000.
Currently, there are 16 students from the College of Engineering are participating at eight
companies. There are eight mechanical engineering majors in the program. As the program
matures, it is the intent of the College to provide this opportunity to as many students as
possible. Eleven students completed an appraisal of their experience after completing an
internshipwithacompany.Thegeneralresponsewasthatthestudentsfoundtheinternshipto
beaveryvaluableexperience.ResultsofthecoopsurveyareshowninTable10.
Table10Coopsurvey;VIPProgramperformanceappraisal(4=Excellent1=Poor)

ProgramAttributes
Youracademicpreparation

3.0

Yourpreparationforworkenvironment

3.3

ExecutiveDirectorsinvolvementwithyourinternship

3.5

VIPprogramsupportofinternshipandcompany

3.3

University/Collegesupportofinternshipand/orVIPprogram

2.7

VIPprogramcommunications(verbal,written)

3.5

VIPprogramcooperation(attitude,willingness)

3.4

VIPprogramorganizationandstructure

3.1

Mentorinvolvementwithyourinternship

3.7

WouldyourecommendVIPprogramtootherstudents

Yes(all)

Companyinternshipassignments

3.0

Companyworkenvironment

3.7

YourattitudeaboutworkingfortheCompany

3.1

WouldyourecommendthisCompanytoanotherVIPstudent

Rating

Yes(all)

Student/FacultyForum:Thestudent/facultyforumisasemiannualeventintheME
Departmentthatgivesthestudentsandfacultyanopportunitytodiscusseducationissuesand
suggestimprovements.TheforumischairedbythestudentASMEpresident.Asummaryof
theresultsoftheSpring2006forumispresentedinTable11.
Table11Resultsofstudentfacultyforum
Issue

StudentInput/Resolution

LossofIEcourses

ApackageofMEcourses,totaling8unitsandsatisfyingABET
recommendations,wascreatedtoreplacetheIEcourses,total
of8units,thatwerenolongeroffered

GEcourses

GEcoursesareauniversityrequirementandcannotbeavoided;
excessand/orirrelevantGEcourses;GEcoursestaughtathigh
schoollevel

Courseconflicts

Departmentchairsandadministrativeassistantsareworkingto
minimizeconflicts;studentsmustadheretoplanofstudyto
avoidconflicts

Investtimeinwritingcourse

CourseinEngineeringandEntrepreneurshipconvertedtoa
writingcourse

Retention

Tutoringavailablefrommanydepartments;PATHWAYStutorial
programestablished

Creditforstudentprojects

MakeHPVa1unitcoursetogetgreaterparticipation

Machiningskills

Moreexperiencewithmachiningandweldingneeded

ASMEstudyroom

Needmorespaceandmorecomfortableaccommodations;
departmenttolookintofindingmorespace

Recruitment

StudentparticipationineventssuchasEngineerattheMallis
important;MEbrochureprepared

Scholarships

ManyscholarshipsavailabletoMEstudentsgounclaimed;
studentsmustcheckwithdepartmentofficetoseewhatis
available

Machineshop

NeedCNCmills;studentsneedmoreaccesstomachineshops

Advising

Mandatoryadvisingisgoodideatokeepstudentsontheright
track

ProcesstoEnsureAchievementofObjectives
Theforegoingdescribedtheobjectivesandhowtheyareachievedthroughrequiredcoursesin
theMEcurriculum.Theprocessissummarizedinthissection.Toensurethattheobjectivesof
the program are achieved through the courses offered in the program, the Department of
Mechanical Engineering in conjunction with the University and College mission prepared its
own mission statement based on the input from its constituencies. Next, program objectives
thatwouldfulfillthemissionstatementweredevelopedbythedepartmentfaculty.Themission
statement and program objectives were presented at the Department Advisory Council
meetingsandatstudentforums,heldannually.Thefinalversionofthemissionstatementand
programobjectives,acceptedbythefaculty,becameanofficialdocumentthatwaspublished.
Thedepartmentthenpreparedasetofoutcomes(athrougho)thatmustbeachievedbythe
courses in the curriculum, each course covering specific outcomes. For each course, the
outcomeswereidentifiedinthecourseoutlinedistributedtothestudents.Surveyinstruments
wereconstructedforassessmentandservetwopurposes:1)toverifythatthecoursesinthe
curriculum are providing the necessary knowledge base to meet the program objectives and
mission (internal surveys), and 2) to verify that the knowledge provided to our graduates is
appropriatetothechangingneedsofindustrybasedoninputfromalumniandtheemployers
hiring our graduates (external surveys). Internal surveys are given semiannually and/or
annually;theexternalsurveysaregivenevery3to6years.Addressingthechangingneedsof
themechanicalengineeringprofessionandmakingthenecessarychangestoourcurriculumin
atimelymannercreatesacontinuousprocessofimprovementoftheprogram.Thenextstepin
the process is the evaluation of program outcome surveys. The survey results are tallied and
compared with the norms established by the department faculty. The discrepancies are
discussedandchangesaremadetocomplywithprogramobjectivesandprogramoutcomes.In
addition to the changes based on the surveys, the University and/or College may impose
mandatoryrestrictions,suchasareductioninunitsrequiredforgraduation.Anychangesthat
affect the ME program are discussed at the Advisory Council meetings and Student Forums.
Thus a feedback loop, that provides a corrective mechanism to the changing needs of the
program,isestablished.ThisfeedbackprocessisillustratedinFigure1.

Figure1Programimprovementandassessmentprocess

Universityand
College
AdvisoryCouncil

StudentForums

DepartmentFaculty

Missionand
bj

Course

External

Employer

OutcomesAssessment

Alumni

Course

SurveyDataEvaluation

FeedbackLoop

Outcomes

Internal

JuniorandSenior
Surveys

SeniorExit

TimelineforImplementationofAssessmentActivities
TheprocessofassessmentbeginsalmostimmediatelyafterthereceiptoftheABETEngineering
AccreditationCommissionfinalreportandtherecommendations.ThelastABETvisitwasin
October2006.Preliminaryevaluationsandrecommendationswerereceivedshortlythereafter.
TheDepartmentassessmentactivitiesarebasedonpreparationforthenextABETvisitin2012,
asixyearcycle.Thusthetimelineisasixyearperiodandtheassessmentactivitiesareonthe
followingtimeline.

Year

AssessmentActivities

200607

Coursesurveys,Junior&Seniorsurveys,Seniorexitinterviews

200708

200809

AlloftheaboveplusEmployer&Alumnisurveys

200910

Coursesurveys,Junior&Seniorsurveys,Seniorexitinterviews

201011

201112

AlloftheaboveplusEmployer&Alumnisurveys

Fall2012

ABETvisit

&

&

Assessmentactivitiesincludeanalysisandevaluationofallsurveysandinterviewsastheyare
completed.Theresultsareevaluatedbythefacultyand,whenrelevant,presentedtothe
AdvisoryCouncil.Acomprehensiveevaluationisdoneandaselfstudyispreparedforthe
subsequentABETvisit,whichinthiscasewillbeduringFall2012.