Program: Mechanical Engineering (MS)
Degree: Master's
Date: Tue Nov 17, 2009 - 12:47:33 pm
1) List your program's student learning outcomes (SLOs).
The Department of Mechanical 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. Perform in their field of study at a professional level.”
2) Where are your program's SLOs published?
Department Website URL: http://www.me.hawaii.edu/
Student Handbook. URL, if available online: Information Sheet, Flyer, or Brochure URL, if available online: UHM Catalog. Page Number: Course Syllabi. URL, if available online: Other: Other: 3) Upload your program's current curriculum map(s) as a PDF.
- File (03/16/2020)
4) What percentage of courses have the course SLOs explicitly stated on the course syllabus, department website, or other publicly available document? (Check one)
0% 1-50% 51-80% 81-99%
100%5) State the SLO(s) that was Assessed, Targeted, or Studied
SLOs 1 through 4 (see responses to Question 1).
6) State the Assessment Question(s) and/or Goal(s) of Assessment Activity
If SLOs 1 through 4 are met:
The Department assessments are done to ensure that the Course, Thesis/Report, and Seminar Requirements are satisfactorily achieved. The assessment for Courses is done by the Graduate Chair. Thesis/Report is assessed by the advisor (and the committee members). For the Seminar, the faculty in charge of the Seminar for that semester, makes the assessment.
7) State the Type(s) of Evidence Gathered
7.1. Assessment at Admission Level:
Master’s Degree Entry Requirements: Admission to the graduate program in Mechanical Engineering depends on undergraduate performance, TOEFL, and GRE scores, letters of reference, any program course deficiencies, and the applicant’s Statement of Objectives. To be accepted by the Graduate Division, applicants must have the equivalent of a B average at the University of Hawaii (determined by Graduate Division). Foreign students from universities that do not teach in English must pass the TOEFL examination with minimum scores of 550, or 600 (Paper-based, or an equivalent on a Computer or Internet based) for teaching assistants. All students must submit a record of their GRE scores. Students with above-average scores normally are accepted into the M.S. program. TOEFL and GRE scores as well as course transcripts are useful in evaluating skills needed to pursue graduate study. Letters of recommendation generally must be positive. Applicants from Mechanical Engineering programs at some universities and from fields other than Mechanical Engineering might not have a sufficient background to pursue an M.S. degree in the chosen area of concentration. The Graduate Chair bases acceptance on an acceptable number of deficiency courses. For those applicants who are accepted, the Graduate Chair has an initial advising session with the applicant to make a final determination of any deficiency courses that must be taken in addition to the course requirements for the M.S. degree. An applicant’s Statement of Objectives is helpful in determining if the applicant’s career goals can be met by the Department’s programs and available resources.
7.2. Assessment at Program Level:
MS Level:
Course Requirement: There is a minimum GPA to maintain in course work via grade-based written and, occasionally, oral exams. Written exams in courses are used to assess mastery of subjects pertinent to a student’s area of concentration for M.S. programs.
Research Requirement: Students must demonstrate a novel contribution made to their area of concentration by writing and orally defending a thesis documenting their work. The thesis committee members in case of Plan A and the advisor in case of Plan B assess the quality and the level of acceptability of the students’ performances. For the Master’s degree, a thesis (Plan A) or report (Plan B) is required. In addition, the student must make an oral defense of these documents. The thesis and oral presentation are judged and must be approved by the student’s M.S. committee comprised of three faculty members in case of Plan A. The report and presentation for Plan B should be approved by the advisor.
8) State How the Evidence was Interpreted, Evaluated, or Analyzed
MS Level:
Course Requirement: There is a minimum GPA to maintain in course work via grade-based written and, occasionally, oral exams. Course instructors provide feedback for performance improvement through exams, reports, and projects. The student advisor monitors the students GPA and provides guidance for performance improvements.
Research Requirement: Students must demonstrate a novel contribution made to their area of concentration by writing and orally defending a thesis documenting their work. The thesis and oral presentation are judged and must be approved by the student’s M.S. committee comprised of three faculty members in case of Plan A. The report and presentation for Plan B should be approved by the advisor. The thesis committee members in case of Plan A and the advisor in case of Plan B assess the quality and the level of acceptability of the students’ performances and provide feedback. Students often write conference and journal papers for publications with their supervisors, which will also be used as an assessment tool.
9) State How Many Pieces of Evidence Were Collected
MS Level:
1. Course Requirements & Performances (Assessed by Faculty Instructor)
2. Conference & Journal Publications (Assessed by External Reviewers)
3. Research Requirements &Performances (Thesis, Report, Oral Presentations; Assessed by Committee Members)
10) Summarize the Actual Results
MS Level:
The number of courses offered at graduate level does not seem to be sufficient for some semesters. It is recommended to hire more faculty to remedy the problem. The MS Plan A students write an average of one conference and/or one journal paper at the completion of their degree.
11) Briefly Describe the Distribution and Discussion of Results
Any possible modifications problems are reported to the Graduate Curriculum Committee chaired by the Graduate Chair of the Department. The committee considers recommendations for modifications and takes action. The number of courses offered at graduate level does not seem to be sufficient for some semesters. It is recommended to hire more faculty to remedy the problem.
12) Describe Conclusions and Discoveries
The number of courses offered at graduate level does not seem to be sufficient for some semesters. It is recommended to hire more faculty to remedy the problem.
13) Use of Results/Program Modifications: State How the Program Used the Results --or-- Explain Planned Use of Results
In terms of Course Requirements for the graduate students, the faculty and students noticed that for some semesters, the number of courses offered at graduate level was not sufficient as related to research work as well as graduation. The graduate committee considered the issue and recommended to the Department Chair and the Dean to hire more faculty to remedy the problem.
14) Reflect on the Assessment Process
It is recommended that the Department Graduate Students Association meet with the Department Graduate Curriculum Committee for direct feed back from the graduate students.
15) Other Important Information
N/A
16) FOR DISTANCE PROGRAMS ONLY: Explain how your program/department has adapted its assessment of student learning in the on-campus program to assess student learning in the distance education program.
N/A
17) FOR DISTANCE PROGRAMS ONLY: Summarize the actual student learning assessment results that compare the achievement of students in the on-campus program to students in the distance education program.
N/A