1. 2012 Alumni Survey Results
Administered using UW Qualtrics (vs. SurveyMonkey)
Updated questions from 2007 surveys
Additional coverage – international aspects, networking, statistics
Target: 5 and 3 yr grads (2007, 2009)
Male/female ratio consistent (30%)
28% response (31/111)
Results file posted on Assessment web site: assessment.che.wisc.edu/

2. Known and New Issues Current or past courses Repeated suggestions
Statistics, ECE, Comp Sci
Summer Lab – hate or love
Repeated suggestions
Application or business background
Materials, polymers background increase
Emphasize coop/intern prospects
New emphases
Computer tools
Modern applications
Continue updating labs

3. Continuing Education 42% taking something
(vs. 38% in 2001, 79% in 2004, 45% in 2007)
33% mention industrial or short courses

4. Feedback in “Environmental Plots”
Ratings for levels of preparation
Very, adequately, poorly
Ratings for levels of use on the job
Frequently, moderately, not used
Scores tabulated individually
Environmental plot for cross-topic comparisions
Scale 0 to 2
Cross-plot to compare our emphasis with later degree of need or use
Ideal results falls on 45o y=x line

5. Feedback on Courses Frequently Used Rarely Used Poorly Prepared Very

6. Course Topic Comments CBE courses all strong in preparation
Statistics still below need
Chemistry, Math also high in Utility (Materials mid-range, Bio lower)
Computer Science below CBE 255
Higher perceived job utility
Similar level of preparation at UW
Electrical Circuits lowest - GONE

7. Statistics Consistently underprepared across surveys
Comments address components desired:
What can be added to what courses (Stat, CBE)?
Initiative lead?

8. Feedback on Soft Topics
Frequently
Used
Rarely
Used
Very
Prepared
Poorly
Prepared

9. Soft Topic Comments Communications tops
Teamwork, Lifelong Learning vital to courses and jobs
Process Hazard Awareness satisfactory !
Still shortest on Contemporary Issues, Global & Societal Impact
Explicit links?
Increase examples

10. Feedback on Degree Content

11. Laboratory Courses Strong writing component appreciated
Non-ChemE labs less useful
Consistent with dropping Chem 562
Summer Lab
“greatest course ever”, “clear differentiator”; “too rushed”; “extreme but invaluable”
Overseas support very strong
Equipment, experiments complaints down

12. Other Items Communication still needs more
Contemporary Issues, Global/Societal Impact
Appreciated, need more emphasis
Important emphasis on problem-solving, more so than technical specifics
Strong skills and attitudes compared to other ChE colleagues!

13. Survey Scheduling Past Surveys: 1996, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2012
Twice/ABET cycle is good – 3-yr review
Spacing was in 1st, 4th years of cycle
Recommend shift to 2nd, 5th years of cycle
Next surveys: 2014, 2017
Better time of year?

14. Action Items Statistics, including Design of Experiments
working group for Fall?
Sustain Communications emphasis
Review feedback on networking and international programs
Next survey: 2014