ABET Accreditation

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ABET AccreditationLifelong Learning Rajeev
Bansal

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Accreditation

• UConn EE UG program is accredited.
• UConn CompE UG program is relatively new and will
  be submitted for accreditation in 2007.
• Accreditation by ABET (Accreditation Board for
  Engineering Technology)

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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

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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.
• demonstrate professionalism and a sense of
  societal and ethical responsibility in all their
  endeavors.
• engage in professional development or
  post-graduate education to pursue flexible career
  paths amid future technological changes.

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EE/CompE Program Constituents
       Undergraduate students       
Faculty        Alumni        Employers of
Program Graduates
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Program 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 discipline b. An ability to
design and conduct experiments, analyze and
interpret data c. An ability to design a system,
component, or process to meet desired needs
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Program Outcomes ABET (a)-(k) (continued)
d. An ability to function on multi-disciplinary
teams e. An ability to identify, formulate, and
solve engineering problems f. An understanding
of professional and ethical responsibility g. An
ability to communicate effectively
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Program Outcomes ABET (a)-(k) (continued)
h. The broad education necessary to understand
the impact of engineering solutions in a societal
context i. A recognition of the need for, and an
ability to engage in life-long learning j. A
knowledge of contemporary issues k. An ability
to use the techniques, skills, and modern
engineering tool necessary for engineering
practice
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Program Outcomes Assessment

• Demonstrate that graduates have achieved desired
  outcomes
• Assess the level of outcome achievement
• Apply results to continuous improvement of
  program

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Assessment Methods(EE/CompE Program)

• Direct
• Senior Design Project Evaluation
• ABET Quiz (CSE/ECE 290)
• Indirect
• Alumni Survey data
• Employer /IAB Survey data
• Senior Exit Interview data
• EBI Survey data
• Course Assessment data

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Lifelong Learning

• In the new economy, you graduate and youre 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
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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.

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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)

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Approaches to Lifelong Learning

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

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In-House Training/Seminars

• Common at large companies
• Almost always free
• Done on company-time

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Conferences Workshops

• Join IEEE today!
• Local Chapter Meetings
• Regional Conferences
• National Conferences
• Workshops
• Trade Shows

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Short Courses

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

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Part-time graduate courses

• Evening classes
• EE/CompE
• Related fields (e.g., Materials Science)
• Professional (e.g., MBA)

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Graduate School

• MS-without a thesis
• MS-with a thesis
• PhD (research, academic positions)

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Professional School

• Management (MBA)
• Patent Law (JD)

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Self-Directed Learning

• Trade journals
• Handbooks
• Videos/DVDs
• On-line resources

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Lifelong Learning The fun never stops!