Engineering Accreditation and ABET EC2000 – Part I

Background on ABET Overview of ABET EC 2000 Structure Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

What are ABET & EC 2000?

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology EC2000 - Criteria for Evaluating Engineering and Engineering Technology Programs

Web Source http://www.abet.org/ Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 2

What are ABET & EC 2000?

Primary organization responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and certifying the quality of engineering, engineering technology, and engineering related education in the U.S.

Recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education Federation of 28+ professional technical societies representing over 1.8 million practicing engineering professionals Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 3

Vision

ABET will provide world leadership to assure quality and stimulate innovation in engineering, technology and applied science education.

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Mission

ABET serves the public through the promotion and advancement of education in applied science, computing, engineering and technology.

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Mission

ABET will:  Accredit educational programs  Promote quality and innovation in education  Consult and assist in the development and advancement of education worldwide in a financially self-sustaining manner  Communicate with our constituencies and the public regarding activities and accomplishments  Anticipate and prepare for the changing environment and the future needs of constituencies  Manage the operations and resources to be effective and fiscally responsible Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 6

Accreditation Objectives

Serve the public, industry, and the profession by stimulating the development of improved engineering education Encourage new and innovative approaches to engineering education Assure that graduates of an accredited program are adequately prepared to enter and continue the practice of engineering Identify programs that meet the ABET criteria for accreditation Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 7

ABET Today (1999 data)

1555 accredited engineering programs at 323 institutions 729 accredited engineering technology programs at 242 institutions 53 accredited related-engineering programs at 37 institutions Staff of 19 Home Page on the World Wide Web  http://www.abet.org

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ABET Structure Participating Societies Board of Directors Engineering Accreditation Commission Technology Accreditation Commission Computing Accreditation Commission Related Accreditation Commission Industrial Advisory Council International Activities Committees Other Standing and Ad-hoc Committees Executive Committee Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 9

What does ABET accredit?

ABET accredits programs of study that lead to degrees in engineering ABET does not accredit departments, colleges, degrees, or institutions Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 10

ABET EC 2000

Old

Input Accounting  Focus on having the right courses  Every six years get information ready for review

vs New

Outcomes Assessment – EC 2000  Focus on graduates and program’s components  Continuous assessment Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 11

Engineering Criteria 2000

Philosophy & Emphasis

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Philosophy

Institutions and Programs define mission and objectives to meet needs of constituencies – enable program differentiation Emphasis on outcomes – preparation for professional practice Curricular requirements limited to 3 years Programs demonstrate how criteria and educational objectives are being met Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 13

Emphasis

Practice of continuous improvement  Input of Constituencies   Process focus Outcomes and Assessment linked to Objectives Knowledge required for entry to the engineering profession Student, Faculty, Facilities, Institutional Support and Financial Resource issues linked to Program Objectives Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 14

Evaluation & Assessment Cycles “A 2-loop Process”

Determine educational objectives Determine Outcomes Required to Achieve Objectives Assess Outcomes/ Evaluate Objectives Determine How Outcomes will be Achieved Input from Constituencies Gateway Engineering Education Coalition Formal Instruction Student Activities 15 Establish Indicators for Outcomes to Lead to Achievement of Objectives Determine How Outcomes will be Assessed

Process Perspective for Evaluation and Improvement – OSU Version

Input from Constituencies

(PEOS) Program Educational Objectives System

Program Educational Objectives Program Outcomes

(POS) Program Outcomes System

Assessment of Student Learning Long Term Short Term Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 16

Resource Process

8 Basic Level Accreditation Criteria

1. Students 2. Program Educational Objectives 3. Program Outcomes and Assessment 4. Professional Components 5. Faculty 6. Facilities 7. Institutional Support and Financial Resources 8. Program Criteria Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 17

Outcomes (a - k) – Criterion 3

Engineering programs must demonstrate that their graduates have: a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering appropriate to the discipline b. An ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret data c. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 18

Outcomes (a - k) – Criterion 3

d. An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams e. An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility g. An ability to communicate effectively Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 19

Outcomes (a - k) – Criterion 3

h .

The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a societal context i. A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning j. A knowledge of contemporary issues k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 20

Educational Objectives – Criterion 2

Development Process to include inputs gained from Constituencies  Advisory Groups  Students  All faculty  Alumni  Industry Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 21

Chemical Engineering Example

1. Provide chemical engineers with the tools required to meet the technological challenges of the future.

2. Educate chemical engineers to understand and properly address the impact of technology in other areas, and to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams with other engineers, scientists, and non-technical personnel.

3. Provide chemical engineers with the ability to integrate material learned from different sources and to apply state of-the-art technologies to identify and solve problems.

4. Instill students with the desire to engage in life-long learning and provide them with the ability to succeed in this endeavor.

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Mechanical Engineering Example

1. Our program will prepare students for successful careers, for graduate or professional studies, and for life-long learning 2. Our students will learn the fundamental tool of mechanical engineering analysis, will be trained in mathematical and computational methods of analysis, and will acquire engineering problem solving skills.

3. Our students will develop skills pertinent to the design process, including the ability to formulate problems, to analyze and synthesize information, to think creatively, to make informed decisions, to communicate effectively, and to work collaboratively.

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Mechanical Engineering Example

4. Our students will learn to use current experimental and data analysis techniques for engineering.

5. Our students will understand the function of engineering in solving societal problems and their professional and ethical responsibilities.

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Example: ME Matrix Cross-check

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Basic Level Accreditation Criteria

Process Resource 2. Program Educational Objectives 3. Program Outcomes and Assessment 1. Students 4. Professional Components 5. Faculty 6. Facilities 7. Institutional Support and Financial Resources 8. Program Criteria Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 26

Professional Component – Criterion 4

Faculty must assure curriculum devotes adequate attention and time to each component, consistent with objectives of the program and institution Preparation for engineering practice  Major design experience Subject areas appropriate to engineering Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 27

Professional Component – Criterion 4

Major Design Experience  A culminating experience, based on knowledge and skills acquired in earlier coursework  Must incorporate engineering standards and realistic constraints, including most of the following considerations: – – – – Economic Environmental Sustainability Manufacturability – – – – Ethical Health and Safety Social Political Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 28

Professional Component – Criterion 4

Subject Areas  One year of a combination of college level mathematics and basic sciences (some with experimental experience) appropriate to the discipline   One and one-half years of engineering topics, to include engineering sciences and engineering design appropriate to the student’s field of study A General Education component that complements the technical content of the curriculum and is consistent with the program and institution objectives Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 29

Faculty – Criterion 5

Sufficient number  Adequate levels of student-faculty interaction  Student advising and counseling  University service activities  Industry interaction  Professional development Competent to cover all curricular areas of program Ensure proper guidance of the program, its evaluation and development Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 30

Facilities – Criterion 6

Must provide opportunities for students to learn use of modern engineering tools Classrooms, laboratories and equipment must be adequate to:   Accomplish program objectives Foster faculty-student interaction  Encourage professional development Computing and information infrastructure must be adequate to support:   Scholarly activities of students and faculty Educational objectives Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 31

Institutional Support and Financial Resources – Criterion 7

Constructive Leadership Financial Resources  Sufficient to acquire, maintain and operate facilities  Sufficient to attract, retain, and provide for continued professional development of faculty Technical and Clerical Services Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 32

Program Criteria – Criterion 8

Each program must satisfy applicable Program Criteria   Curricula topics Faculty qualifications Current Program Criteria are on the ABET server on the World Wide Web http://www.abet.org/criteria.html

Must satisfy all Program Criteria implied by title of program Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 33

Process Perspective for Evaluation & Improvement - The OSU Approach

Input from Constituencies

(PEOS) Program Educational Objectives System

Program Educational Objectives Program Outcomes

(POS) Program Outcomes System

Assessment of Student Learning Long Term Short Term Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 34

Inputs Suggested

Exit Survey of all Graduating Seniors Monitoring of Professional Exam Results Monitoring of Student Progress Survey of alumni (2 nd , 6 th and 15 th ) Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 35

Survey Elements for Seniors and Alumni

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Educational Outcomes – General – Focus on ABET EC 2000 Criterion and Program Outcomes Educational Experience – Quality of Instruction at The Ohio State University Program Specific Questions – Focus on ABET EC2000 Criterion 2 and Program Specific Objectives Additional Comments and Suggestions Background/Demographic Information Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 36

Educational Outcomes Summary

An understanding of and Ability to apply knowledge of:

5 4.5

4 3.5

3 2.5

2 1.5

1 1 1.5

2 2.5

3 3.5

Importance

4 4.5

5 Diverse Env.

Comp - Comm Comp - Design Integrate Appartus Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 37

Resource Perspective

1. Students Educational Experience Alumni 4. & 8. Curriculum 6. Facilities 5. Faculty 7. Support Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 38

Engineering Accreditation and ABET EC2000 – Part I

Detailed Example for Ohio State Provided in ABET II Gateway Engineering Education Coalition 39