Departmental Assessment Update - Engineering Report

Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Program: MS
Level: Graduate

1. Has your program developed learning outcomes? If yes, please list.

The student learning outcomes are 1) attainment of in-depth technical knowledge in subdiscipline of specialization; 2) an ability to perform engineering with enhanced technical proficiency in subdiscipline of specialization; 3) an ability to present work orally and in written form; and 4) an ability to perform either original research, possibly with direction, and/or detailed, open-ended project work.

2. If your program has learning outcomes, where are they published (e.g., department web page)?

The SLOs are published on the department’s web page.

3. Do your faculty list course learning outcomes on their syllabi?

They are encouraged to do so, but it is not policed.

4. Does your program have a curriculum map that links course outcomes to program outcomes? If so, please include.

Each subdiscipline establishes a sequence of courses to achieve SLOs 1 and 2. To achieve SLO 3, every student is required to take a seminar course, where they are required to make an oral presentation.

5. Does your program benchmark or have goals for student performance? (e.g. 70% students will graduate within 5 years)

Every student defends orally during the final examination their thesis (Plan A) or project work (typical for Plan B). To achieve SLO 4, each student must complete successfully either a research-oriented thesis (Plan A) or a research or practice-oriented project paper (Plan B).

6. Other than GPA, what data/evidence is used to determine that graduates have achieved stated outcomes for the degree? (i.e. capstone project, class assignment)

Every student defends orally during the final examination their thesis (Plan A) or project work (typical for Plan B). To achieve SLO 4, each student must complete successfully either a research-oriented thesis (Plan A) or a research or practice-oriented project paper (Plan B).

7. Who interprets the evidence of student learning?

Assessment events include course midterms, final exams, and course projects. Plan A students must complete successfully a thesis. Plan B students must complete a project paper. The student’s final assessment is the responsibility of the student’s individual committee, consisting of at least 3 faculty members (2 of which must be from the department). The committee evaluates the student’s academic achievement as well as the written and oral presentation of the thesis/project paper.

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

There is not a formal program implemented.

9. What attempts are made to monitor students’ postgraduate professional activities?

No formal monitoring of post-graduate professional activities is done by the department. Individual faculty typically monitor their students careers. Most graduates work in the civil/environmental/structural engineering industry, although some work in other areas (e.g., computer industry).