ABET Accreditation&

Lifelong Learning

Rajeev Bansal

.

Accreditation

• UConn EE and CMPE programs are accredited by ABET.

• UConn EngrPhys program is relatively small and has not been submitted for accreditation yet.

ABET 2000: Basic Philosophy

• Institutions and Programs define objectives to meet the needs of their constituents

• Emphasis on outcomes -- preparation for professional practice

• Programs demonstrate how outcomes and educational objectives are being met: assessment

What are Program Educational Objectives?

• Broad statements describing what our graduates should be doing 3-5 years after graduation.

• Our alumni will:

• make technical contributions to design, development, and manufacturing in their practice of EE/computer engineering.

• Advance in their professional career.

• engage in professional development or post-graduate education to pursue flexible career paths amid future technological changes.

EE/CompE Program Constituents

       Undergraduate students

       Faculty

       Alumni

       Employers of Program Graduates

Student Outcomes: ABET (a)-(k)

Engineering programs must demonstrate that their graduates have:a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering appropriate to the disciplineb. An ability to design and conduct experiments, analyze and interpret datac. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs

Student Outcomes: ABET (a)-(k) (continued)

d. An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teamse. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problemsf. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilityg. An ability to communicate effectively

Student Outcomes: ABET (a)-(k) (continued)

h. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a societal contexti. A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learningj. A knowledge of contemporary issuesk. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tool necessary for engineering practice

Student Outcomes & Assessment

• Demonstrate that graduates have achieved desired outcomes

• Assess the level of outcome achievement

• Apply results to continuous improvement of program

Assessment Methods(EE/CompE Program)

Direct: Senior Design Project Evaluation ABET Quiz (CSE/ECE 4901) Assessment in ECE 2001W and ECE 3201

Indirect: Alumni Survey data IAB feedback Senior Exit Interview data EBI Survey data Course Assessment data

Lifelong Learning

“In the new economy, you graduate and you’re set for fifteen minutes. Working and learning are fast becoming the same activity.”

Don Tapscott, The Digital Economy.

Source: l3d.cs.colorado.edu/ philosophy.html

Something to think about

“The illiterate person of [the future] will not be the person who has not learned how to read, but rather the person who has not learned how to learn.”

Soc. of Manufacturing Eng.

Lifelong Learning is not a new fad.

The first issue (1922) of Reader’s Digest led with an article on the importance of continuing to learn throughout one’s life.

Author: Alexander Graham Bell

Half-life of Knowledge

• 7.5 years (ME)• 5 years (EE)• 2.5 years (CMPE)

(an expert estimate from the 1980s cited by Ernest T. Smerdon, Lifelong Learning for Engineers: Riding the Whirlwind)

Approaches to Lifelong Learning

• In-house training/seminars• Conferences & Workshops• Short Courses• Part-time graduate courses• Graduate School• Professional School• Self-directed learning

In-House Training/Seminars

• Common at large companies

• Almost always free

• Done on company-time

Conferences & Workshops

• Join IEEE today!

• Local Chapter Meetings

• Regional Conferences

• National Conferences

• Workshops

• Trade Shows

Short Courses

• Offered by universities (e.g., UCLA, GeorgiaTech)

• Offered by commercial organizations

Part-time graduate courses

• Evening classes

• EE/CompE

• Related fields (e.g., Materials Science)

• Professional (e.g., MBA)

Graduate School

• MS-without a thesis

• MS-with a thesis

• MENG

• PhD (research, academic positions)

Professional School

Management (MBA)Patent Law (JD)

Self-Directed Learning

• Trade journals

• Handbooks

• Videos/DVDs

• On-line resources

Lifelong Learning: The fun never stops!