Ohio State University
College of Engineering
Annual Outcomes Assessment Overview
2001-2002 Academic Year
R. Gustafson and E. McCaul
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Services
September 2002
Purpose
This report is a brief record of activities related to continuous quality improvement activities for undergraduate engineering programs during the academic year 2001-2002 at the College level. It is an overview or summary of activities and accomplishments. It is not intended to be a full report on each item. Similar reports are requested by the Dean for each program.
1) Key Activities of Outcomes Assessment Committee
During the 2001-2002 academic year the Outcomes Assessment Committee (OAC) met regularly. Minutes of meetings of the Committee are available in the College Office.
The committee continued its support of surveying of seniors, 2 nd , 6 th and 15 th year alumni. A targeted survey on alumni perspectives related to ethical and professional responsibilities was developed and implemented. A survey of Co-op and internship student employers for summer of 2002 was done for a second year.
2) Results from Surveys
A report of results of general alumni surveys for the college common questions, collected during the 01-02 academic year, was issued by the OAC in September of 2002. The report was distributed to all programs, the executive committee of the college and key committees within the College. The report included information from senior exit interviews, 2 nd , 6 th and 15 th year alumni.
A brief summary report from Co-op and intern employers of summer 20001 was issued by the committee.
Results of a target alumni survey from 00-01 where published in an ASEE paper entitled "Alumni Perspectives on Lifelong Learning".
Results of a targeted alumni survey from 01-02 on the topic "Professional and Ethical Responsibilities" were distributed in the form of a report of the Outcomes Assessment Committee in August of 2002.
Highlights of Changes Accomplishments or In-process
Administrative Program Structure for First-Year Students was consolidated under College administration with three tracks
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) ENG 100, 181, 183
Fundamentals of Engineering for Honors (FEH) ENG 100, 191H, 192H, 193H
Fundamentals of Engineering for Transfer (FET) ENG 100,185,186,187
- FEH program expanded to seven 36-student sections
- FE for Transfer courses were created to better facilitate external transfers and students from regional campuses.
A new Senior Assistant Dean for Outreach and Special Programs was hired in part to give more focus on programs for women and under-represented students.
In January, a new committee was appointed by the Dean to consider Multi-disciplinary Capstone Design. This committee outlined potential options and will continue its work in 02-03.
Engineering Core Curriculum - A proposal for the revision of the Engineering Core Curriculum developed over the past five years was approved by University Council on Academic Affairs. During the 00-01 academic year, each program refined its plan for implementation of the new core. The new core was implemented as of AU 01.
General Education Model - The College was a representative on a Committee established by the Provost and the University Senate to review the University's general education model. The Committee issued a report in August 02 that will need to be considered by the College in 02-03.
Engineering Minors - A minor in Biomedical Engineering was approved by the University. Other minors are under development in the College.
Academic Probation and Dismissal - More uniform policies for probation and dismissal of majors and pre-majors continues to be developed by the Academic Progress and Standards Committee.
Action Around Student Experience Factors - The following activities for 2001-2002 were directed at the College and University goal of improving the undergraduate experience.
- Criteria for automatic direct enrollment in engineering was raised from math ACT 23 to Math ACT 24 for AU 02 admissions
- College enhanced cooperating in Ford Living Learning Center (collaboration with College of Business and Residence Life) by designating a faculty contact for the program
- A plan for a more consistent ENG 100 experience across the college was developed for implementation in AU 02. This included a structured use of the University's FYE Success series offerings.
Focus of anticipated activities for the coming year
- Continued work of the capstone design committee
- Initiation of effort towards review of the engineering general education model
- Addition of one or more engineering minors
- Review of alumni surveys questions and process
- Continue target surveys of alumni on specific topics
- Continue enhancement of engineering honors program