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HOPE'S ENGINEERING
PROGRAM
By Dr. Darryl Thelen and Dr.
John Krupczak
Spring 2000 |
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SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT PLAN AND 1998-99
RESULTS
ASSESSMENT PLAN
- Overview
The Engineering Program formalized and further developed its
methods of assessment during the 1998-99 academic year. The assessment
plan involves monitoring achievement of objectives in engineering
courses, outside evaluation of senior design projects, extensive
surveying and interviewing of seniors and alumni, and evaluation
of student performance on nationally standardized exams. These
assessments serve as the basis for evaluating how well the departmental
objectives and desired student outcomes are being achieved. In
addition to the assessment methods, a professional advisory board,
consisting of representatives of graduate schools and engineering,
is used to evaluate the departmental objectives and overall program
direction on a regular basis.
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Educational Objectives
The professional practice of engineering requires an understanding
of analytical methods, design techniques, social and economic
influences and an appreciation for cultural and humanistic
traditions. Our program supports these needs by offering
each engineering student the opportunity to acquire a broad,
yet individualized, technical and liberal education. At
the core of the curriculum is a sequence of mathematics,
physics and engineering courses that foster analytical
and design skills applicable to a range of engineering
disciplines. Elective courses, design projects and undergraduate
research opportunities allow students to pursue specific
areas of interest. Hope's strong liberal arts core curriculum
provides engineering students with critical thinking skills,
proficiency in a foreign language and exposure to a diversity
of views and cultures. Graduates of the program are prepared
to begin a professional career or continue study in graduate
school.
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To educate engineers within the context of a liberal arts
college that emphasizes small classes and attention to individual
needs, the engineering program has established the following
educational objectives:
- To prepare graduates with the education and background
necessary to begin a successful career in engineering practice
and/or gain entry into engineering graduate school.
- To train students in methods of analysis,
including an understanding of mathematics,
science and engineering principles appropriate
to solve engineering problems.
- To develop
the ability
of students
to select
and use
current
engineering
techniques
to solve
problems.
This includes
designing
and conducting
experiments,
using computer
software
tools and
interpreting
data.
- To
equip
students
with
the
skills
needed
to
design
a
process,
component
or
system
that
meets
specified
goals.
This
includes
the
ability
to
handle
ambiguous
constraints,
generate
alternative
ideas
and
deal
with
economic,
social
and
ethical
criteria.
- To
foster
the
ability
of
students
to
be
effective
working
in
multidisciplinary
teams and
communicating
ideas
to
others.
- To
provide
students
with
an
awareness of
the
societal
context
of
engineering. This
includes
recognizing
the
social,
political,
economic, and
environmental
impacts
of
engineering
decisions and
technology.
- To
develop
an
appreciation of
cultural
diversity,
an awareness
of
the
international nature
of
engineering
practice,
and
to prepare
students
to work
in
a
global environment.
- To
provide
students
with the
opportunity
for
specialization or
study
in
a secondary
area
of
interest. Some
examples
are
having a
dual
major,
fulfilling a
departmental
minor
or preparing
for
advanced
study in
the
student's
particular area
of
interest.
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