Computer Science ABET Visit Update November 8, 2003

Computer Science Accreditation Team Robert Lingard Diane Schwartz Steven Stepanek

Current Activities Gathering course descriptions for all courses in the program including course objectives for all courses. Gathering course descriptions for all courses in the program including course objectives for all courses. Gathering course materials for all course not scheduled to be taught next semester. Gathering course materials for all course not scheduled to be taught next semester. Gathering information about faculty members. Gathering information about faculty members. Gathering assessment data (the emphasis is on the direct assessment of Student Learning Outcomes and closing the loop). Gathering assessment data (the emphasis is on the direct assessment of Student Learning Outcomes and closing the loop). First draft of Self-Study Report to be completed by December First draft of Self-Study Report to be completed by December 2006.

Assessment Activities Alumni survey Alumni survey Employer survey Employer survey Senior student survey Senior student survey Direct assessment of several key student learning outcomes Direct assessment of several key student learning outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes Recently or Currently Being Assessed Demonstrate an understanding of algorithms and data structures. Demonstrate an understanding of algorithms and data structures. Demonstrate an understanding of programming language concepts. Demonstrate an understanding of programming language concepts. Demonstrate an understanding of computer organization and architecture. Demonstrate an understanding of computer organization and architecture. Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of programming languages paradigms. Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of programming languages paradigms. Demonstrate proficiency in using a high-level computer language. Demonstrate proficiency in using a high-level computer language. Demonstrate an understanding of emerging technologies and a working knowledge of currently available software tools. Demonstrate an understanding of emerging technologies and a working knowledge of currently available software tools. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices for software design and development. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices for software design and development. Be able to effectively communicate in written form. Be able to effectively communicate in written form.

Process for Direct Assessment

Direct Assessment Process Details 1. At the third department meeting during the spring semester, course coordinators for each of our “course groups” are elected. 2. During the first month of the spring semester the Assessment Committee will identify the program outcomes to be assessed during the current calendar year and present this list for department approval no later than the first department meeting in March.

Direct Assessment Process Details (cont’d) 3. Upon department approval, assessment responsibility for each selected outcome is assigned to one of the course group coordinators. Prior to the first department meeting in April, each course coordinator will prepare an assessment plan. 4. Once the assessment plans are approved, the course group coordinators ensure that the assessment activities are accomplished and prepare a final report, prior to the last Department meeting of the year.

Direct Assessment Process Details (cont’d) 5. Prior to the third Department meeting of the spring semester the reports of all Course Groups are analyzed and recommendations for program improvements are made. 6. During the third meeting of the spring semester, the program improvement recommendations from the Assessment Committee are discussed, and the Department decides what actions are appropriate based on the recommendations. The process then loops back to step 1.

Sample Assessment Results

Sample Program Improvement Recommendations Based on Assessment Results Based on the assessment of the Outcome “Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices for software design and development” the following recommendations were made: Based on the assessment of the Outcome “Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices for software design and development” the following recommendations were made: Introductory courses in the program should introduce certain software engineering concepts and elective courses reinforce the principles and practices for software design and development. Introductory courses in the program should introduce certain software engineering concepts and elective courses reinforce the principles and practices for software design and development. STATUS: This was approved and the members of the Software Engineering Course Group will provide information to assist in appropriately revising course objectives. STATUS: This was approved and the members of the Software Engineering Course Group will provide information to assist in appropriately revising course objectives. It was recommended that Comp 480, Software Systems Development, be made a required course in the program. It was recommended that Comp 480, Software Systems Development, be made a required course in the program. STATUS: This was tabled by the department until more assessment data could be collected to substantiate the need for this change. This outcome will be reassessed this year. STATUS: This was tabled by the department until more assessment data could be collected to substantiate the need for this change. This outcome will be reassessed this year.