2012-2013 Annual Assessment Report - Civil Engineering Program
The curriculum goals of the unit, as currently stated in the catalog or other departmental documents, are as follows: (from the catalog)
"The overall objectives of the bachelor of science program in civil engineering are:
- Graduates will be successfully employed in engineering, science, or technology careers.
- Graduates will be assuming management or leadership roles.
- Graduates will engage in continual learning by pursuing advanced degrees or additional educational opportunities through course work, professional conferences and training, and/or participation in professional societies.
- Graduates will pursue professional registration or other appropriate certifications.
- Graduates will be active in civic engagement.
The outcomes that students are expected to have attained upon graduation with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering are:
- the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
- the ability to design and conduct experiments
- the ability to analyze and interpret data
- the ability to design a system or component to meet desired needs
- the ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
- the ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities
- the ability to communicate effectively through writing and/or drawing
- the ability to communicate effectively through oral presentations
- an understanding of the impact of engineering on society
- an understanding of the necessity to engage in lifelong learning
- a knowledge of contemporary issues in civil, environmental, and architectural engineering
- the ability to use modern engineering techniques, skills, and tools
- the ability to explain basic concepts in management, business, public policy, and leadership"
During the last review period, what revisions, if any, have been made to your curriculum goals as stated in the CU course catalog? What is your schedule for such curriculum review?
No changes were made to the program objectives in the 2012-2013 academic year. In spring 2013 these objectives were reviewed by the External Joint Evaluation Committee (JEC) of the Structural Engineering and Mechanics (SESM) group. No changes in the objectives were recommended, although it was noted that a bachelor's degree is unlikely to be sufficient for professional practice in the SESM sub-discipline. A new CVEN curriculum was approved by the faculty in May 2012 and will come into force for students entering in Fall 2013; this new curriculum was also reviewed by the JEC. The CVEN curriculum goals and curriculum are reviewed each year through the JEC process, with a focus on different areas within the curriculum recurring on a 3-year cycle.
Summarize the means you have employed to assess your success in attaining those curriculum goals.
The curriculum committee, faculty at large, and JEC review the results from assessments including: student performance on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam that is required for all undergraduate students prior to graduation; undergraduate student ratings on the outcomes of each course using questions on the FCQs; the graduating senior survey; post graduate survey; alumni survey; and student performance based on outcome rubrics in senior design and other selected courses.
Specify what actions you have taken as a result of employing your assessment protocols.
In spring 2012, the faculty voted to approve a revised CVEN undergraduate curriculum based on upcoming changes anticipated to the ABET program-specific criteria for civil engineering, the construction engineering & management, geotechnical, water resources, environmental and SESM JECs. These changes included the addition of a Professional Issues course in the senior year, reducing the breadth of required fundamental courses from 6 to 5, and reducing the breadth of required proficiency courses from 4 to 3. These changes allow us to meet our goals while providing more flexibility and choice to students.