The curriculum goals of the unit, as currently stated in the catalog or other departmental documents, are as follows: (from the catalog)

"The educational objective of the environmental engineering bachelor of science degree is to produce graduates who reach the following achievements three to five years after graduation:

  • become established in professional careers and/or earn advanced degrees;
  • apply multidisciplinary approaches to manage the unique challenges and balance the competing social, political, economic, and technical goals of environmental problems and solutions; and
  • serve the needs of our society and protect the future of our planet in an ethical manner.

Program Outcomes.  The Environmental Engineering Program demonstrates that its graduates:

  • have sufficient knowledge of engineering, mathematics, and science fundamentals to succeed in environmental engineering practice or advanced degrees;
  • have sufficient knowledge of advanced environmental engineering applications and complementary natural sciences to succeed in environmental engineering practice or advanced degrees;
  • have sufficient knowledge of engineering approaches to problem solving (hypothesis, design, testing; team work) to succeed in environmental engineering practice or advanced degrees;
  • have sufficient knowledge of basic engineering skills and tools (computer, laboratory, and field) to succeed in environmental engineering practice or advanced degrees;
  • have adequate writing and oral presentation skills to succeed in environmental engineering practice or advanced degrees;
  • have adequate understanding of the social, economic, political, and ethical context of environmental problems and solutions;
  • have adequate opportunity to include service at the local, state, national, or global levels as an important part of their environmental engineering education; and
  • recognize the importance of life-long learning by seeking advanced degrees and pursuing continuing education."

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 revisions were made to the curriculum goals (program objectives and program outcomes); these have remained the same since our previous ABET self-study in 2011.  These goals are reviewed by a professional advisory board that meets once every one to two years.  The curriculum that allows us to meet these goals is also reviewed by this group.  In addition, the faculty review the curriculum and achievement of our goals each year.

Summarize the means you have employed to assess your success in attaining those curriculum goals.

The program assessed the achievement of the program objectives primarily via the results from the alumni survey, which is administered each summer.  The program assessed the achievement of the program outcomes primarily via the success of our senior students who are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, the results from the graduating senior survey, and the post-graduation survey.  In addition, the contribution of specific courses in the curriculum toward meeting the learning objectives are reviewed by students each semester in Faculty Course Questionnaires (FCQs). 

Specify what actions you have taken as a result of employing your assessment protocols.

Only one minor change was made to the curriculum in 2012/2013. This change was to add one more course to the menu of approved courses for the water resources and treatment option.   All indicators were that the program was strong.