CAC Criteria

The current version of the CAC criteria may be found on the ABET page. From our past experience, we can expect the EAC team and the CAC team to work together closely as they carry out a joint evaluation of the CSE program.
[CAC will use the EAC self-study document, supplemented with answers to the CAC questionnaire as meeting the requirement for the program to complete a self-study document.]

The CAC criteria with respect to objectives, outcomes, etc., are essentially a subset of the EC 2000 criteria. The additional CAC criteria requirements have to do with mainly specific curricular requirements. These may be summarized as follows:

• The curriculum must include at least 60 credit hours of study in computer science topics.

• The curriculum must include at least 45 credit hours of study in mathematics and science as specified below.

• The curriculum must include at least 45 credit hours of study in humanties, social sciences, arts and other disciplines that serve to broaden the background of the student.

• Computer Science
  1. All students must take a broad-based core of fundamental computer science material consisting of at least 24 hours.
  2. The core materials must provide basic coverage of algorithms, data structures, software design, concepts of programming languages, and computer organization and architecture.
  3. Theoretical foundations, analysis, and design must be stressed within the program's core materials.
  4. Students must be exposed to a variety of programming languages and systems and must become proficient in at least one higher-level language.
  5. All students must take at least 24 hours of advanced course work in computer science that provides breadth and builds on the core to provide depth.

• Mathematics and Science
  1. The curriculum must include at least 22.5 hours of mathematics.
  2. Course work in mathematics must include discrete mathematics, differential and integral calculus, and probability and statistics.
  3. The curriculum must include at least 18 hours of science.
  4. Course work in science must include the equivalent of a two-semester sequence in a laboratory science for science or engineering majors.
  5. Additional science course work must be in science courses or courses that enhance the student's ability to apply the scientific method.

• Additional Areas of Study
  1. The oral communications skills of the student must be developed and applied in the program.
  2. The written communications skills of the student must be developed and applied in the program.
  3. There must be sufficient coverage of social and ethical implications of computing to give students an understanding of a broad range of issues in this area.

• Course Structure etc.
  1. Courses must be offered with sufficient frequency to allow students to complete the program in a timely manner.
  2. CS courses must be structed to ensure effective interaction between students and faculty/TAs in lower division courses, and between students and faculty in upper division courses.
  3. Students must have access to qualified advising.to help them make course and career choices.
  4. Full-time faculty must oversee all course work.
  5. Full-time faculty must cover most of the total classroom instruction.
  6. All faculty must remain current in the discipline.
  7. Advising duties must be a recognized part of faculty members' workloads.