Role of Standards in the Curricula: Accreditation & Professional Society Requirements

2012 Capstone Design Conference

Amin Karim, DeVry UniversityJune 1, 2012

List of Topics

IEEE and ANSI Positions on Standards EducationAccreditation Requirements on Standards – EAC and ETAC of ABETRequirements by Accreditation Bodies in Other CountriesImplications for Students and Faculty

Role of Standards in Engineering, Technology, and Computing (ETC) Curricula – ANSI and IEEE Positions

Desire to integrate of standards education in the ETC curricula– By reference – that a process is covered by a

standard and a citation of the same– By indirect introduction (principal tech. specs.) in

classroom instruction, homework assignments, labs or projects

– By direct use of a published standard in instruction, labs or projects

– By regular use and reference to standards in large scale projects, such as in Capstone Design

EAC of ABET Criteria 5 -Curriculum

Curriculum components must comply with requirements for math, science, engineering, general education, and a major design experience incorporating appropriate engineering standards and multiple realistic constraints.

ETAC of ABET Criteria for Electrical/Electronics Programs

Graduates of associate degree programs must demonstrate knowledge and hands-on competence appropriate to the goals of the program in: the application of …… and engineering standards to the building, testing, operation, and maintenance of electrical/electronic(s) systems……

Engineering Accreditation Criteria – Canada

3.1.4 Design: An ability to design solutions for complex, open-ended engineering problems and to design systems, components or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate attention to health and safety risks, applicable standards, and economic, environmental, cultural and societal considerations.

Accreditation Criteria – Other Countries

“complying with appropriate standards and codes of practice”“application of relevant technologies and standards”“promote sustainable development”“global conformance”“applicable constraints”

Implications for Students and Faculty

Students need to be aware of the use of standards in material, product, system or service in solving technical problemsFaculty need to expose students to standards by incorporating across the curriculumStudents must apply relevant standard(s) in capstone projectsFaculty assessment of capstone projects must include grading for the application of standards

References

IEEE POSITION PAPER ON THE ROLE OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS IN THE CURRICULUM OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS IN ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTING - Approved by the IEEE Board of Directors 28 June 2009ANSI POSITION PAPER ON THE ROLE OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS IN THE CURRICULUM OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS IN ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTING - Approved by the ANSI National Policy Committee, 2010

Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs, 2012-2013Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Technology Programs, 2012-2013Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board – The Accreditation Criteria and Procedures Report

Questions?