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Accreditation Evaluation of Accreditation Evaluation of the BS-CSE Program the BS-CSE Program

CSE DepartmentCSE Department

Ohio State UniversityOhio State University

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Undergrad programs in CoE: Undergrad programs in CoE: accredited by the Engineeringaccredited by the EngineeringAccreditation Comm. (EAC);Accreditation Comm. (EAC);

BS-CSE: also accredited by the BS-CSE: also accredited by the Computing Computing Accreditation Comm. (CAC);Accreditation Comm. (CAC);

EAC & CAC: part of the AccreditationEAC & CAC: part of the AccreditationBoard of Engineering Tech. (ABET).Board of Engineering Tech. (ABET).

BackgroundBackground

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Standard term of accreditation: 6 yrsStandard term of accreditation: 6 yrs

Last evaluation: Au 1999Last evaluation: Au 1999

Hence: Now due for re-evaluation.Hence: Now due for re-evaluation.

Rest of college also up for re-evaluation.Rest of college also up for re-evaluation.

Background (contd.)Background (contd.)

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Meet a set of criteria specified by EAC;Meet a set of criteria specified by EAC;

Meet a set of criteria specified by CAC;Meet a set of criteria specified by CAC;

Prepare (& submit to ABET) a detailed Prepare (& submit to ABET) a detailed self-study that demonstrates this;self-study that demonstrates this;

Host the evaluation team for a three-day Host the evaluation team for a three-day site visit;site visit;

Enable team to evaluate various aspects Enable team to evaluate various aspects of the program/ dept./ college/ university.of the program/ dept./ college/ university.

To Be Accredited a To Be Accredited a BS-CSE Program Must: BS-CSE Program Must:

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Self-study: Submitted (late June).Self-study: Submitted (late June).

ABET has appointed the following team:ABET has appointed the following team:– Dr. Tuel (IBM): CAC team chair;Dr. Tuel (IBM): CAC team chair;– Dr. Aylor (Univ. of Virginia): CAC prog. eval.Dr. Aylor (Univ. of Virginia): CAC prog. eval.– Dr. Tuan (US military?): EAC prog. eval.Dr. Tuan (US military?): EAC prog. eval.

Site visit: Oct. 30, Oct. 31, Nov. 1Site visit: Oct. 30, Oct. 31, Nov. 1(Main day of visit: Monday, Oct. 31)(Main day of visit: Monday, Oct. 31)

Current StatusCurrent Status

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Talk to individual faculty: get feel forTalk to individual faculty: get feel forfaculty morale, departmentalfaculty morale, departmentalatmosphere, support for research, ...atmosphere, support for research, ...

Talk to students: get their views onTalk to students: get their views oncurriculum, faculty, facilities, ...curriculum, faculty, facilities, ...

Talk to undergrad (staff) advisors,Talk to undergrad (staff) advisors,computing facilities staff, ...computing facilities staff, ...

Main Components of Site Visit:Main Components of Site Visit:

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Talk to university officials: dept. chair,Talk to university officials: dept. chair,dean, provost, univ. registrar, ...dean, provost, univ. registrar, ...

Evaluate course materials: mainly CSEEvaluate course materials: mainly CSEcourses, others to a limited extent;courses, others to a limited extent;

Evaluate various facilities: classrooms,Evaluate various facilities: classrooms,libraries, computing facilities, ...libraries, computing facilities, ...

Main Components (contd.)Main Components (contd.)

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Oct. 30 (Sunday): Oct. 30 (Sunday): evaluate course materials;evaluate course materials;team meetings, etc.team meetings, etc.

Oct. 31 (Monday):Oct. 31 (Monday):Dean presentation; Dean presentation; meetings with dean, chair;meetings with dean, chair;meetings with faculty, advising staff, meetings with faculty, advising staff,

computing staff, tour of facilities,...computing staff, tour of facilities,...lunch (hosted by college);lunch (hosted by college);meeting with students;meeting with students;visits to library, ...; etc.visits to library, ...; etc.

More Details of Site Visit:More Details of Site Visit:

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Nov. 1 (Tuesday): Nov. 1 (Tuesday): follow-up meetings (as needed);follow-up meetings (as needed);debriefing of chair;debriefing of chair;debriefing of dean;debriefing of dean;team lunch;team lunch;Exit interview (provost, dean, ...?)Exit interview (provost, dean, ...?)

Nov. 2 -- ??:Nov. 2 -- ??:Wait to hear from EAC & CAC.Wait to hear from EAC & CAC.

More Details (contd.)More Details (contd.)

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For each criterion, the team may For each criterion, the team may conclude that the criterion is:conclude that the criterion is:– Satisfied; orSatisfied; or– Satisfied but with some “concern”; orSatisfied but with some “concern”; or– Satisfied but with some “weakness”; orSatisfied but with some “weakness”; or– Not satisfiedNot satisfied

““Weakness” means: Criterion is satisfiedWeakness” means: Criterion is satisfiedbut not to a sufficient degree;but not to a sufficient degree;

““Concern” means: Criterion satisfied butConcern” means: Criterion satisfied butteam not sure it will remain satisfied.team not sure it will remain satisfied.

ResultsResults

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All criteria satisfied: All criteria satisfied: – NGR (Next General Review)NGR (Next General Review)

All criteria satisfied but some concerns:All criteria satisfied but some concerns:– NGR (next team will check the concerns)NGR (next team will check the concerns)

All criteria satisfied but some weaknesses:All criteria satisfied but some weaknesses:– IR (Interim Report in two years); orIR (Interim Report in two years); or– IV (Interim Visit: limited visit in two years).IV (Interim Visit: limited visit in two years).

One or more criteria not satisfied:One or more criteria not satisfied:– SC (Show Cause; accr. will be revoked unlessSC (Show Cause; accr. will be revoked unless

cause can be shown why it should not be).cause can be shown why it should not be).

Possible Final ResultsPossible Final Results

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NGR!NGR!

Or maybe NGR with concern(s)!Or maybe NGR with concern(s)!

Timeline: Timeline: – Final result: July/Aug. ’06;Final result: July/Aug. ’06;– We will get a feel for it in the Exit Interview;We will get a feel for it in the Exit Interview;– Better feel from “preliminary statement”Better feel from “preliminary statement”

(late January/early February 2006). (late January/early February 2006).

The Result We WantThe Result We Want

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Accreditation evaluators are Accreditation evaluators are volunteersvolunteers;;Interact with them in the same wayInteract with them in the same wayyou interact with paper referees, you interact with paper referees, NSF panelists, etc.NSF panelists, etc.

Evaluators only Evaluators only evaluateevaluate against the against thecriteria specified by CAC & EAC;criteria specified by CAC & EAC;they do not make up the criteria.they do not make up the criteria.Do NOT debate the criteria with them!Do NOT debate the criteria with them!

Guiding principle: Make the team’s jobGuiding principle: Make the team’s jobas easy as possible!as easy as possible!

Important Points:Important Points:

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Requirements in eight categories:Requirements in eight categories:

StudentsStudents

Program ObjectivesProgram Objectives

Program Outcomes, AssessmentsProgram Outcomes, Assessments

Curriculum (Professional Component)Curriculum (Professional Component)

FacultyFaculty

Labs and computing facilitiesLabs and computing facilities

Institutional facilities (libraries etc.)Institutional facilities (libraries etc.)

Institutional support & resourcesInstitutional support & resources

Accr. Criteria (EAC + CAC)Accr. Criteria (EAC + CAC)

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http://www.cse.ohio-state.edu/~neelam/abethttp://www.cse.ohio-state.edu/~neelam/abet

http://www.cse.ohio-state.edu/~neelam/abethttp://www.cse.ohio-state.edu/~neelam/abet/SITEVISIT/SITEVISIT

http://www.cse.ohio-state.edu/~neelam/abethttp://www.cse.ohio-state.edu/~neelam/abet/SITEVISIT/materials.html/SITEVISIT/materials.html

Web PagesWeb Pages

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The program must:The program must:

Advise students in curricular/career matters;Advise students in curricular/career matters;

Evaluate student performance/Evaluate student performance/monitor student progress;monitor student progress;

Must ensure all students meet all Must ensure all students meet all program requirements;program requirements;

Must have & enforce policies forMust have & enforce policies foracceptance of transfer students &acceptance of transfer students &transfer credits;transfer credits;

StudentsStudents

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Courses must be offered with sufficientCourses must be offered with sufficientfrequency (to allow students tofrequency (to allow students tocomplete program in reasonable time). complete program in reasonable time).

CS courses must ensure effectiveCS courses must ensure effectiveinteraction between faculty & students;interaction between faculty & students;(or TAs & students in lower-lvl. (or TAs & students in lower-lvl.

courses)courses)

Students (contd.)Students (contd.)

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Program Objectives:Program Objectives: are statements that describe career andare statements that describe career andprofessional accomplishments that theprofessional accomplishments that theprogram is preparing graduates toprogram is preparing graduates toachieve.achieve.

Program Outcomes:Program Outcomes:are statements that describe whatare statements that describe what

students should know/be able to do bystudents should know/be able to do bythe time of graduation.the time of graduation.

EAC TerminologyEAC Terminology

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Program must have:Program must have:

Documented, measurable objectives;Documented, measurable objectives;

A process involving various constituents in A process involving various constituents in which the objectives are determined &which the objectives are determined &periodically evaluated. periodically evaluated.

A process of ongoing eval. of the extent of A process of ongoing eval. of the extent of achievement of the objectives & use theachievement of the objectives & use theresults to improve the program.results to improve the program.

Program ObjectivesProgram Objectives

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Outcomes: describe what students know andOutcomes: describe what students know andare able to do by the time of graduation.are able to do by the time of graduation.

Must have:Must have:

Outcomes that foster attainment of theOutcomes that foster attainment of theprogram objectives;program objectives;

An assessment process with documentedAn assessment process with documentedresults to measure the degree to whichresults to measure the degree to whichthe outcomes are being achieved.the outcomes are being achieved.

Evidence that the assessment results areEvidence that the assessment results areused to further develop the program. used to further develop the program.

Pgm. Outcomes, AssessmentsPgm. Outcomes, Assessments

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Must demonstrate that students attain ability to:Must demonstrate that students attain ability to:

Apply knowledge of math/science/eng.Apply knowledge of math/science/eng.

Design/conduct expts; analyze/interpret data;Design/conduct expts; analyze/interpret data;

Design a system/component/process to meetDesign a system/component/process to meetdesired needs within realistic constraints;desired needs within realistic constraints;

Function on multi-disciplinary teams;Function on multi-disciplinary teams;

Identify/formulate/solve engineering problems;Identify/formulate/solve engineering problems;

Communicate effectively;Communicate effectively;

EC Criterion 3 OutcomesEC Criterion 3 Outcomes

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Must demonstrate that students attain an:Must demonstrate that students attain an:

Understanding of professional & ethical issues;Understanding of professional & ethical issues;

Broad education necessary to understandBroad education necessary to understandimpact of eng. solutions in societal context;impact of eng. solutions in societal context;

Recognition of the need for/ability to engageRecognition of the need for/ability to engagein life-long learning;in life-long learning;

Knowledge of contemporary issues;Knowledge of contemporary issues;

Ability to use techniques, skills, and eng. toolsAbility to use techniques, skills, and eng. toolsnecessary for engineering practice.necessary for engineering practice.

Criterion 3 Outcomes (contd.)Criterion 3 Outcomes (contd.)

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Must have outcomes that will ensureMust have outcomes that will ensureachievement of objectives;achievement of objectives;

Must include specified Cr. 3 outcomes;Must include specified Cr. 3 outcomes;

Must have assessment process toMust have assessment process tomeasure degree of achievement of measure degree of achievement of outcomes;outcomes;

Must use the assessment results to Must use the assessment results to develop and improve the program.develop and improve the program.

Summary of criterionSummary of criterion

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Must include:Must include:

60 hrs of computing:60 hrs of computing:24 hrs of core (algorithms, data str.,24 hrs of core (algorithms, data str.,software des., langs., arch.)software des., langs., arch.)24 hrs of adv.; courses;24 hrs of adv.; courses;Theoretical foundations, problemTheoretical foundations, problemanalysis/design must be stressed.analysis/design must be stressed.

45 hrs of Math/Science;45 hrs of Math/Science;Min: 22.5 Math, 18 Science;Min: 22.5 Math, 18 Science;Science must include 2-sem lab seq.Science must include 2-sem lab seq.

Curriculum (prof. component)Curriculum (prof. component)

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45 hrs of general education courses;45 hrs of general education courses;

67.5 hrs of engineering sc. and design; 67.5 hrs of engineering sc. and design;

Oral skills must be dev./applied in pgm;Oral skills must be dev./applied in pgm;

Written skills must be dev./appld. in pgm;Written skills must be dev./appld. in pgm;

Must include social/ethical issues inMust include social/ethical issues incomputing;computing;

Culminating major design experience Culminating major design experience incorporating eng. stds./realistic constraints;incorporating eng. stds./realistic constraints;

Students must be prepared for eng. practice.Students must be prepared for eng. practice.

Curriculum (contd.)Curriculum (contd.)

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Must be sufficient in no. (for the pgm. size)Must be sufficient in no. (for the pgm. size)

Must oversee all coursework;Must oversee all coursework;

Must cover most of classroom instruction;Must cover most of classroom instruction;

Must remain current;Must remain current;

Must have technical breadth & depth to Must have technical breadth & depth to support program;support program;

Must have competence equivalent to gradMust have competence equivalent to gradwork in CS;work in CS;

Must have time for scholarly activities/Must have time for scholarly activities/professional development.professional development.

FacultyFaculty

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Adequate computing facilities forAdequate computing facilities forstudents & faculty;students & faculty;

Instructional assistance for the labs/Instructional assistance for the labs/computing facilities;computing facilities;

Readily available documentation forReadily available documentation forsoftware & hardware;software & hardware;

Adequate support personnel to install Adequate support personnel to install & maintain facilities.& maintain facilities.

Labs/Computing FacilitiesLabs/Computing Facilities

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Library must be adequately staffed;Library must be adequately staffed;

Library’s collection must include:Library’s collection must include:– up-to-date textbooks;up-to-date textbooks;– reference works;reference works;– publications of ACM, IEEE, etc.publications of ACM, IEEE, etc.

Systems for locating/obtaining electronicSystems for locating/obtaining electronicinformation must be available;information must be available;

Classrooms must be adequately equipped;Classrooms must be adequately equipped;

Fac. offices must be adequately equipped.Fac. offices must be adequately equipped.

Institutional FacilitiesInstitutional Facilities

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Support for faculty must be sufficient Support for faculty must be sufficient to attract/retain high quality fac;to attract/retain high quality fac;

Support for fac. to attend conferences;Support for fac. to attend conferences;

Support/recognition of scholarly activities;Support/recognition of scholarly activities;

Adequate office support;Adequate office support;

Adequate time for admin. of the pgm;Adequate time for admin. of the pgm;

Resources to maintain/update labs;Resources to maintain/update labs;

Support for library/inf. retrieval facilities;Support for library/inf. retrieval facilities;

Institutional Support/ResourcesInstitutional Support/Resources

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Accreditation evaluators are volunteers;Accreditation evaluators are volunteers;make their job as simple as possible;make their job as simple as possible;do not argue with them;do not argue with them;do not try to debate the criteria.do not try to debate the criteria.

The main criteria requirements are about:The main criteria requirements are about:– Students; Students; – Program objectives, outcomes, &processes;Program objectives, outcomes, &processes;– Assessment process, use results to improve pgm;Assessment process, use results to improve pgm;– Curriculum (including: capstone design course;Curriculum (including: capstone design course;

oral/written skills; social/ethical issues).oral/written skills; social/ethical issues).

Main PointsMain Points

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Be flexible & avail. for meeting with team;Be flexible & avail. for meeting with team;

Look through the web pages:Look through the web pages:~neelam/abet~neelam/abet~neelam/abet/SITEVISIT~neelam/abet/SITEVISIT

Send questions/comments/suggestionsSend questions/comments/suggestionsto Neelam.to Neelam.

Thanks for Coming!Thanks for Coming!

Main Points (contd.)Main Points (contd.)