Assessments

Program Educational Objectives & Program Outcomes

Program Educational Objectives in the Department of Mechanical Engineering:

To ensure the success of students completing the curriculum in mechanical engineering, the department has established the following educational objectives:

1. The department provides a sound foundation for graduates to pursue a variety of careers. Most graduates will find immediate employment in industry, government laboratories or consulting, but some will pursue graduate or professional studies in such fields as engineering, business, law or medicine.

2. Graduates will apply the problem solving skills they have learned at Iowa State University to meet the challenging demands and increasing responsibilities of a successful career.

3. Graduates will continue to learn as they grow in their profession, using modern technology and communication skills to contribute as team members or leaders in solving important problems for their employers and for society.

PO Number	Program Outcome	Dimension	Description
1	Fundamental Knowledge	a. Mathematics	An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, including calculus, linear algebra, and statistics
		b. Physics	An ability to apply knowledge of physics
		c. Chemistry	An ability to apply knowledge of chemistry
2	Engineering Skills	a. Analysis	An ability to identify, formulate, and solve problems in thermal and mechanical systems using techniques, skills, and modern tools of the engineering profession
		b. Synthesis	An ability to design a system, component, or process associated with thermal and mechanical systems using techniques, skills, and tools of the engineering profession
		c. Experiment	An ability to design and conduct experiments and to analyze and interpret data associated with thermal and mechanical systems using techniques, skills, and tools of the engineering profession
3	Career Success	a. Team work	The ability to develop sufficient synergy in a group to produce quality projects & presentations.
		b. Communication	Communication skills reflect professionalism of the student through use of proper grammar, appropriate mannerisms or writing style, and skillful use of visual aids.
		c. Life-long learning	Shows initiative in use of information resources, explores and implements new engineering practices, and actively seeks new learning.
4	Social Awareness	a. Contemporary issues	An appreciation of issues that challenge modern society and occupy the attention of citizens who are well informed about their nation and the world. Students should be cognizant of the interplay of technological, social, and political factors in resolving or exacerbating problems facing society.
4	Social Awareness	b. Ethical and professional responsibilities	An understanding of the ethical and professional responsibilities of the ME profession

Assessment Responsibilities

The Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department has introduced significant curriculum changes over the past few years, including a comprehensive program for the assessment of program outcomes. In addition, an important goal is to use the assessments to continuously improve the overall quality of the ME program.

Four assessment tools have been established:

Student assessments are performed every semester in all core and design courses. Students assess opportunities to master program outcomes in their courses.
Course objectives are performed every semester in every section of every core and design course.
Design panel assessments meet every year to judge final design reports (portfolios) from design-oriented courses. (The design panel is consists of ME faculty, students, alumni, and industry reps.)
Senior surveys to allow students as they complete the degree program to assess how well they have achieved program outcomes.
Alumni surveys of former students three years into their professional careers to assess their overall undergraduate educational experience.

Course Objectives

A summary of the course objectives for the core and technical elective courses and their relationship to the program outcomes are presented in the document: Course Objectives & Program Outcomes (Word).

Assessment Tools

The chart below summarizes the department's four program outcomes, their corresponding dimensions, and the courses and tools used to perform assessments of program outcomes.

Program Outcome	PO No.	Dimension	Assessment to be performed in:	Assessment Tool (Student, Course Objectives, Design, Senior, Alumni)
Fundamental Knowledge	1a	Mathematics	Core courses	Student, Course Objectives, Senior
	1b	Physics	Core courses	Student, Course Objectives, Senior
	1c	Chemistry	Core courses	Student, Course Objectives, Senior
Engineering Skills	2a	Analysis	Core courses	Student, Course Objectives, Senior
	2b	Synthesis	Select core courses, ME 270, capstone design	Design, Student, Course Objectives, Senior
	2c	Experimental	Select core courses	Student, Course Objectives, Senior
Career Success	3a	Team Work	Select core courses, ME 270, capstone design	Student, Course Objectives, Senior
	3b	Communication	Select core courses, ME 270, capstone design	Design, Student, Course Objectives, Senior
	3c	Life-long Learning	Select core courses, ME 270, capstone design	Design, Student, Course Objectives, Senior
Social Awareness	4a	Contemporary issues	Core courses	Student, Course Objectives, Senior
Social Awareness	4b	Professional and ethical responsibilities	ME 270, capstone design	Design, Student, Course Objectives, Senior
Educational Objectives	-	-	Mailed surveys	Alumni

In some cases rubrics (Word) are used to assess program outcomes

Continuous Quality Improvement

As part of the Mechanical Engineering Department's initiative for Continuous Quality Improvement data collected based on the four assessment tools are compiled to provide an overall picture of how well program outcomes are achieved.

All Course Development Committees (CDCs) (Word) should read the instructions (Word) for their responsibilities as committee members. Each CDC must submit a CDC Plan Report (Word) to the ME Curriculum Committee for approval during the spring semester.