Proposed Revised BS-CSE Objectives/Outcomes (Feb. '09)

After extensive discussions in the Undergraduate Studies Committee (and other faculty), the committee has drafted the following revised set of program objectives and outcomes for the BS-CSE program. Many of the changes are dictated by the recent changes in the CAC and EAC Accreditation Criteria; for details of the committee discussions, please see the minutes of the UGSC meetings (see also here). This proposed set of objectives and outcomes was presented to the students at at the annual CSE/CIS Undergraduate Forum of Feb. 5, 2009. The consensus was that, given the changes in the accreditation requirements, the proposed objectives and outcomes are reasonable. The changes in the objectives were also included in the BS-CSE alumni survey conducted in Spring '08. The respondents generally agreed that the proposed changes were reasonable (see minutes of UGSC meeting of Dec. 5, '08 for details).

The changes in the objectives is dictated by the definition that ABET uses for the term "program objectives": broad statements that define the expected accomplishments of graduates of the program several (3? 4?) years following graduation from the program. Our current set of objectives were written using an alternate (commonsense?) definition that it means what the goals of the program are, i.e., what kinds of knowledge and skills students will possess when they graduate from the program. Anyway, since accreditation evaluators now require programs to follow the ABET definition, we have to change our objectives as proposed below.

The changes in the outcomes is primarily dictated by the changes in the CAC Accreditation Criteria which now require that all CS and CSE programs must include outcomes equivalent to the (l), (m), and (n) in the list below; (a) through (k) are required by the EAC Criteria and are essentially our current set of outcomes. In other words, the change here is the addition of (l), (m), and (n).

Proposed BS-CSE Program Objectives:
  1. Graduates of the program will be employed in the computing profession, and will be engaged in learning, understanding, and applying new ideas and technologies as the field evolves.
  2. Graduates with an interest in, and aptitude for, advanced studies in computing will have completed, or be actively pursuing, graduate studies in computing.
  3. Graduates will be informed and involved members of their communities, and responsible engineering and computing professionals.

Proposed BS-CSE Program Outcomes:

Students in the BS-CSE program will attain:

  1. an ability to apply knowledge of computing, mathematics including discrete mathematics as well as probability and statistics, science, and engineering;
  2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
  3. an ability to design, implement, and evaluate a software or a software/hardware system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as memory, runtime efficiency, as well as appropriate constraints related to economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability considerations;
  4. an ability to function effectively on multi-disciplinary teams;
  5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
  6. an understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities;
  7. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  8. an ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society;
  9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning and continuing professional development;
  10. a knowledge of contemporary issues;
  11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern tools necessary for practice as a CSE professional.
  12. an ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution;
  13. an ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices;
  14. an ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity.

For comparison, the current set of objectives and outcomes is available here.

CSE faculty will be requested to electronically approve the proposed changes. If there are any concerns, the Undergrad Studies Committee will address them.