Departmental Assessment Update - Engineering Report

Department: Electrical Engineering
Program: MS,PhD
Level: Graduate

1. List in detail your graduate Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for each degree/certificate offered.

The Department of Electrical Engineering adheres to the student learning outcomes of the Graduate Division:

“In general, a student who has successfully completed the graduate degree requirements should be able to

  1. Demonstrate mastery of the methodology and techniques specific to the field of study.
  2. Communicate both orally and in writing at a high level of proficiency in the field of study.
  3. Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
  4. Function as a professional in the discipline.”

Our department does not have additional SLOs at this time.

2. Where are these SLOs published (e.g., departmental web page)?

The student outcomes can be found by going to the department web site at

http://www-ee.eng.hawaii.edu

On the home page, it states “Our Department's Mission Statement and our Program Objectives and Outcomes can be found here.” By clicking “here”, you will find the graduate SLOs.

3. Explain how your SLOs map onto your curriculum, i.e., how does your program of graduate studies produce the specific SLOs in your students?

The department has three graduate degree programs: Master’s Degree Plan A, Master’s Degree Plan B, and PhD Degree.

Master of Science Plan A (Thesis)

A.1. Course Requirements. A minimum of 30-credit hours are required in courses numbered 400-498 and 600-790 with a grade of C, or better. These minimal 30 credit hours must include:

· A minimum of 9 credits of EE 700

· A minimum of 12 credits in 600-695 credits in the student's Major track (Electro-physics, Systems, or Computers),

· A minimum of 6 credits in 400-695 courses outside the student's Major track In addition, each student must complete one seminar course in Electrical Engineering and enroll for at least 1 credit in EE 700 in the final semester. The course work should constitute a coherent program in the student's major track; they are to be approved by the graduate advisor for his major area. The Course Requirements help ensure students achieve SLO 1 by having students take a sufficient number of graduate courses in their specialty.

A.2. Thesis Requirements. A thesis is required for a Master’s degree Plan A. A student must have a thesis committee that consists of at least three members of the graduate faculty of the University of Hawaii; the chairman and at least one other committee member must be on the Electrical Engineering Graduate faculty. When the thesis topic has been approved by the committee, the candidate may then register for EE 700. The candidate should look to his committee chairman for primary direction, research methods, and preparation of results. It is the joint responsibility of the chairman and the student to see that all members of the committee are kept informed of the scope, plan and progress of the research and thesis. A majority of the members of the committee must approve both the thesis and the student's performance in the thesis defense examination. The thesis defense is an oral examination where the student presents his/her thesis work to his/her thesis committee.The Thesis Requirements help ensure students achieve SLO 1, 3 and 4 by having them apply their knowledge to conduct thesis research with some independence. It helps ensure SLO 2 and 4 because the thesis must be written and orally presented and defended at a professional level.

A.3. Seminar Requirements. Students must attend at least twelve seminars from the department seminar series, thesis defenses, and/or technical conferences. Students entering before Spring 1999 are also encouraged to attend seminars and conferences, and to give presentations of their work. Attendance should be taken by the track coordinator for the departmental seminars and by the student's advisor for thesis defenses. Documentation should be provided by the student's advisor for conference attendance.

 

The Seminar Requirements help ensure students achieve SLO 2 since they can observe others giving presentations. It helps to ensure SLO 4 because they practice attending technical talks.

 

Master of Science Plan B (Non-Thesis)

B.1. Course Requirements: The same as the Course Requirements for Master’s Plan A (A.1) except that a grade of B or better (not B-minus) is required. The Course Requirements help ensure students achieve SLO 1 by having students take sufficient number of graduate courses in their specialty.

B.2. Report Requirement: This is the same as a Thesis Requirement of Master’s Plan A (A.2) except that the report can be less pure research and more industry oriented. Note that a student must apply for and get approval prior to admission into the program. This is done through the Intern Plus Program of the department and requires industry sponsorship.The Thesis Requirements help ensure students achieve SLO 1, 3 and 4 by having them apply their knowledge to conduct report research with some independence. It helps ensure SLO 2 and 4 because the report must be written and orally presented and defended at a professional level.

B.3. Seminar Requirements: This is the same Seminar Requirement of Master’s Plan A (A.3). The Seminar Requirements help ensure students achieve SLO 2 since they can observe others giving presentations, and they also have the option of presenting a seminar. It helps to ensure SLO 4 because they practice attending technical talks.

Doctoral Degree

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded only for the most distinguished scholarly achievement. The quality of a candidate's work is judged by a variety of means culminating in a set of comprehensive and final examinations and a dissertation. The dissertation must be a significant original contribution to knowledge in electrical engineering. There are six requirements: C.1 - C.6.

C.1. Course Requirements. A minimum of 9 credit hours in 600 level courses in the student's major track and a minimum of 3 credit hours in 600 level courses outside the student's major track are required. These courses must be approved by the graduate advisor for the student's major track. The Department also requires that all candidates participate in a teaching project; they must demonstrate this proficiency in the communication of ideas and concepts by successfully completing 3 credits in EE 790, Directed Instruction.

The Course Requirements help ensure students achieve SLO 1 by having students take sufficient number of graduate courses in their specialty.

C.2. Qualifying Examination. The purpose of this examination is to determine whether or not a student should be encouraged to proceed in a doctoral program, and if encouraged, to enable his advisers to assist him in planning a program that will familiarize him with the requisite knowledge and techniques.

The Ph.D. Qualifying Examination in EE consists of a test of the graduate background at the M.S. level and must be passed during the student's first three semesters in the Ph.D. program.

This test consists of 1 oral exam plus final exams in three 600 level courses in the student's Major track; the average of these 3 final exam scores must be greater than 3.66. Each major track of EE has designated courses acceptable for the background test. An oral exam in the major track tests broad background and understanding.

The Qualifying Examination help ensure students achieve SLO 1 by verifying that students have sufficient background knowledge and skills before continuing to pursue the PhD degree. Part of the examination is oral, so it also helps ensure SLO 2.

C.3. Comprehensive Examination. This examination covers the major field of study and work fundamental thereto and minor fields as may be required. Its purpose is to ascertain the student's comprehension of his field of study. The examination is given only after the student has had sufficient preparation in his field of study. The examination, which is oral, is conducted by the student's doctoral committee. The doctoral committee consists of at least five members: at least three members and the chairman must be on the graduate faculty of the Department of Electrical Engineering; at least one member must be from the graduate faculty outside of Electrical Engineering.

Similar to the Qualifying Examination, the Comprehensive Examination helps ensure SLOs 1, 2, as well as 3 since the students must also demonstrate the ability to perform research

C.4. Final Examination. The doctoral dissertation is expected to be a scholarly presentation of an original contribution to knowledge resulting from independent research and should be suitable for publication. When the dissertation topic has been approved by the doctoral committee, the Graduate Division will be notified. A graduate student may undertake a research problem when the subject is primarily in one field but has a close relationship to other fields; in such an event, at the time the student submits his dissertation proposal, it must be ensured that: a) the student possesses sufficient knowledge of the related field of study to be able to deal competently with the research and dissertation, and b) a representative of the related field is placed on the student's doctoral committee. The candidate should look to the chairman of his doctoral committee for primary direction regarding research methods and the preparation of results. It is the joint responsibility of the chairman and the student to see that all members of the committee are kept informed of the scope, plan, and progress of both the research and dissertation. A majority of the members of the doctoral committee must approve both the dissertation and examination on the dissertation.

The dissertation helps ensure SLO 1 because it is the research project where the student applies his knowledge. It helps ensure SLO 2 because it is a major and often lengthy document to write, and so it must be organized and very well written. It must also be presented orally.

It helps to ensure SLO 3 because the work must be scholarly, original and suitable for publication. Finally, it helps to ensure SLO 4 because the work demands that the student applies his professional skills at the highest level.

C.5. Teaching Project. All candidates must participate in a teaching project; they must demonstrate this proficiency in the communication of ideas and concepts by successfully completing 3 credits in EE 790, Directed Instruction. This helps ensure SLO 2. It also helps ensure SLO 4 because many PhDs will have careers as instructors.

C.6. Seminar Requirements: This is the same Seminar Requirement of Master’s Plan A (A.3). The Seminar Requirements help ensure students achieve SLO 2 since they can observe others giving presentations. It helps to ensure SLO 4 because they practice attending technical talks.

4. What population(s) is covered by your assessment(s)?

Graduate students in the EE MS and PhD program.

5. Please list/describe all the assessment events and devices used to monitor graduate student progress through the program. Consider the following questions:

- How are written exams used to assess graduate students?

Master’s Degree

Entry Requirements: If during the initial advising period, the Graduate Chairman determines that the student does not have the equivalent of the present B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Hawaii, then the student will be required to take designated courses to fulfill these deficiencies; such courses are not applicable toward the 30 credits required for the M.S. degree. In addition, an applying student often submits scores from the TOEFL and GRE examinations. They are used by the department to help evaluating whether the student has sufficient skills.

Course Requirements: There is a minimum GPA to maintain in course work via grades based on written exams.

 

PhD Degree

 

Entry Requirements: If the Advisor determines that the student does not have the equivalent of the present course work for the M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Hawaii, the student will be required to take designated courses to fulfill these deficiencies; such courses are not applicable toward the Ph.D. course credit requirements.

In addition, an applying student often submits scores from the TOEFL and GRE examinations. They are used by the department to help evaluating whether the student has sufficient skills.

Course Requirements: There is a minimum GPA of 3.0 to maintain in course work via grades based on written exams.

Qualifying Examination: Part of the Qualifying Exam consists of final exams in three 600 level courses in the student's Major track. The average of these 3 final exam scores must be greater than 3.66. Each major track of EE has designated courses acceptable for the background test.

 

- How are independent and/or culminating projects (theses, dissertations, performances, capstone courses, etc.) used to assess graduate students?

For a Master’s degree, a thesis or report is required, depending on whether it is Plan A or B. The thesis or report work is judged and must be approved by a thesis or report committee, comprised of three faculty members.

 

For a PhD degree, there is a Qualifying Examination to evaluate whether the student should be encouraged to continue. It is administered by a committee of at least three graduate faculty members, chosen by the track coordinator and the student. The Comprehensive Exam consists of an oral defense of a research problem posed by the committee chairman. It shall be three credits of directed reading, or the equivalent. To pass, the student must clearly indicate the ability to perform research to the committee.The main body of work for the PhD degree is the dissertation. The doctoral dissertation is expected to be a scholarly, original contribution to knowledge resulting from independent research and should be suitable for publication.

- How are oral presentations/reports/performances used to assess graduate students?

For the Master’s degree, the thesis must be presented and defended during an oral presentation.

For the PhD degree, the Qualifying and Comprehensive Examinations are oral examinations. To assess the dissertation, the Final Examination is an oral presentation. There is also the Teaching Project EE 790 to assess the student’s teaching abilities.

6. Please list/describe how your graduate students contribute to your discipline/academic area? Consider the following questions:

- To what extent do your graduate students present their work at professional conferences?

This is done on a case by case basis decided by the student’s advisor.

In previous years we surveyed our faculty to estimate the fraction of graduate students who presented their work at professional conferences. Slightly more than a third of the graduate students presented work at conferences during one year. It is expected that PhD students will give a few presentations at professional conferences during their stay at the University of Hawaii. Many of our MS students also present work at international conferences.

 

- To what extent do your graduate students publish their work?

This is done on a case by case basis decided by the student’s advisor. However, a PhD student should eventually publish work in his/her dissertation. Publications are expected in refereed journals. The PhD students also typically have a number of conference publications. Some MS students also publish their work in journals. It is more typical to see MS students presenting their work at international conferences.



7. What attempts are made to monitor student post-graduate professional activities?

This is done on a case by case basis conducted by the student’s advisor or instructors. There is monitoring of alumni at the College level.

8. How were the assessment data/results used to inform decisions concerning the curriculum and administration of the program?

Faculty members keep in touch with their former students, who are working in industry and academia. This feedback can influence the course offerings and content.

9. Has the program developed learning outcomes? Please indicate yes or no.

Yes, see question 1).

10. Has the program published learning outcomes? Please indicate yes or no.

Yes, see questions 1) and 2).

11. If so, please indicate how the program has published learning outcomes.

On the program/department website

See question 2).

On the course syllabi

SLO 1) is discussed in the syllabi. SLO 2) and 3) are discussedfor some courses.

Other: course catalog

SLO 1), 2), and 3) are discussed in course descriptions. .

 

12. What evidence is used to determine achievement of student learning outcomes?

  1. Demonstrate mastery of the methodology and techniques specific to the field of study. This is done through course performance and research performed with advisor.
  2. Communicate both orally and in writing at a high level of proficiency in the field of study. Oral defense of thesis, writing of dissertation, seminars and written reports presented to advisor and his/her research group, oral presentation at professional conferences, and writing journal and conference papers.
  3. Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work. Oral presentations, written dissertations, project reports, publications in journals and conferences.
  4. Function as a professional in the discipline. Oral defense and written dissertation must be defended at a professional level. Many students will also present research at professional conferences and write up journal papers.

13. Who interprets the evidence?

  1. Courses: Faculty instructors
  2. Theses and Dissertations: Committee members
  3. Publications: Faculty advisors, external reviewers, and editors

14. What is the process of interpreting the evidence?

  1. Courses: Faculty each have there own methodology of interpreting the evidence based on homework, exams, and projects.
  2. Theses and Dissertations: Advisor determines if student has sufficient material and can present material professionally in oral and written form. Committee then makes decision on oral and written presentations. Details of the MS and PhD programs are discussed in question 3).

15. Indicate the date of last program review.

No external program review as ABET reviews COE undergraduate programs. Internally we are constantly reviewing program based on students, faculty, alumni, and employer inputs.