Understanding ABET and EC 2000 Accreditation for Engineering Education

1. Engineering Accreditation and ABET EC2000 – Part I Background on ABET Overview of ABET EC 2000 Structure Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

2. What are ABET & EC 2000? • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology • EC2000 - Criteria for Evaluating Engineering and Engineering Technology Programs • Web Source - http://www.abet.org/ Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

3. What are ABET & EC 2000? • Primary organization responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and certifying the quality of engineering, engineering technology, and engineering related education in the U.S. • Recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education • Federation of 28+ professional technical societies representing over 1.8 million practicing engineering professionals Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

4. Vision ABET will provide world leadership to assure quality and stimulate innovation in engineering, technology and applied science education. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

5. Mission ABET serves the public through the promotion and advancement of education in applied science, computing, engineering and technology. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

6. Mission • ABET will: • Accredit educational programs • Promote quality and innovation in education • Consult and assist in the development and advancement of education worldwide in a financially self-sustaining manner • Communicate with our constituencies and the public regarding activities and accomplishments • Anticipate and prepare for the changing environment and the future needs of constituencies • Manage the operations and resources to be effective and fiscally responsible Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

7. Accreditation Objectives • Serve the public, industry, and the profession by stimulating the development of improved engineering education • Encourage new and innovative approaches to engineering education • Assure that graduates of an accredited program are adequately prepared to enter and continue the practice of engineering • Identify programs that meet the ABET criteria for accreditation Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

8. ABET Today (1999 data) • 1555 accredited engineering programs at 323 institutions • 729 accredited engineering technology programs at 242 institutions • 53 accredited related-engineering programs at 37 institutions • Staff of 19 • Home Page on the World Wide Web • http://www.abet.org Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

9. ABET Structure Participating Societies Board of Directors Engineering Accreditation Commission Industrial Advisory Council Technology Accreditation Commission International Activities Committees Computing Accreditation Commission Other Standing and Ad-hoc Committees Related Accreditation Commission Executive Committee Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

10. What does ABET accredit? • ABET accredits programs of studythat lead to degrees in engineering • ABET does not accredit departments, colleges, degrees, or institutions Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

11. ABET EC 2000 Old New • Input Accounting • Focus on having the right courses • Every six years get information ready for review • Outcomes Assessment – EC 2000 • Focus on graduates and program’s components • Continuous assessment vs Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

12. Engineering Criteria 2000 Philosophy & Emphasis Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

13. Philosophy • Institutions and Programs define mission and objectives to meet needs of constituencies – enable program differentiation • Emphasis on outcomes – preparation for professional practice • Curricular requirements limited to 3 years • Programs demonstrate how criteria and educational objectives are being met Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

14. Emphasis • Practice of continuous improvement • Input of Constituencies • Process focus • Outcomes and Assessment linked to Objectives • Knowledge required for entry to the engineering profession • Student, Faculty, Facilities, Institutional Support and Financial Resource issues linked to Program Objectives Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

15. Determine educational objectives Determine How Outcomes will be Assessed Formal Instruction Student Activities Evaluation & Assessment Cycles“A 2-loop Process” Determine Outcomes Required to Achieve Objectives Determine How Outcomes will be Achieved Assess Outcomes/ Evaluate Objectives Input from Constituencies Establish Indicators for Outcomes to Lead to Achievement of Objectives Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

16. (PEOS) Program Educational Objectives System (POS) Program Outcomes System Input from Constituencies Program Educational Objectives Assessment of Student Learning Program Outcomes Long Term Short Term Process Perspective for Evaluation and Improvement – OSU Version Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

17. 8 Basic Level Accreditation Criteria 1. Students 2. Program Educational Objectives 3. Program Outcomes and Assessment 4. Professional Components 5. Faculty 6. Facilities 7. Institutional Support and Financial Resources 8. Program Criteria Resource Process Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

18. Outcomes (a - k) – Criterion 3 • 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 Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

19. Outcomes (a - k) – Criterion 3 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 Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

20. Outcomes (a - k) – Criterion 3 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 tools necessary for engineering practice Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

21. Educational Objectives – Criterion 2 • Development Process to include inputs gained from Constituencies • Advisory Groups • Students • All faculty • Alumni • Industry Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

22. Chemical Engineering Example 1. Provide chemical engineers with the tools required to meet the technological challenges of the future. 2. Educate chemical engineers to understand and properly address the impact of technology in other areas, and to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams with other engineers, scientists, and non-technical personnel. 3. Provide chemical engineers with the ability to integrate material learned from different sources and to apply state-of-the-art technologies to identify and solve problems. 4. Instill students with the desire to engage in life-long learning and provide them with the ability to succeed in this endeavor. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

23. Mechanical Engineering Example 1. Our program will prepare students for successful careers, for graduate or professional studies, and for life-long learning 2. Our students will learn the fundamental tool of mechanical engineering analysis, will be trained in mathematical and computational methods of analysis, and will acquire engineering problem solving skills. 3. Our students will develop skills pertinent to the design process, including the ability to formulate problems, to analyze and synthesize information, to think creatively, to make informed decisions, to communicate effectively, and to work collaboratively. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

24. Mechanical Engineering Example 4. Our students will learn to use current experimental and data analysis techniques for engineering. 5. Our students will understand the function of engineering in solving societal problems and their professional and ethical responsibilities. Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

25. Example: ME Matrix Cross-check Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

26. Basic Level Accreditation Criteria Process 2. Program Educational Objectives 3. Program Outcomes and Assessment Resource 1. Students 4. Professional Components 5. Faculty 6. Facilities 7. Institutional Support and Financial Resources 8. Program Criteria Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

27. Professional Component – Criterion 4 • Faculty must assure curriculum devotes adequate attention and time to each component, consistent with objectives of the program and institution • Preparation for engineering practice • Major design experience • Subject areas appropriate to engineering Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

28. Professional Component – Criterion 4 • Major Design Experience • A culminating experience, based on knowledge and skills acquired in earlier coursework • Must incorporate engineering standards and realistic constraints, including most of the following considerations: • Economic • Environmental • Sustainability • Manufacturability • Ethical • Health and Safety • Social • Political Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

29. Professional Component – Criterion 4 • Subject Areas • One year of a combination of college level mathematics and basic sciences (some with experimental experience) appropriate to the discipline • One and one-half years of engineering topics, to include engineering sciences and engineering design appropriate to the student’s field of study • A General Education component that complements the technical content of the curriculum and is consistent with the program and institution objectives Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

30. Faculty – Criterion 5 • Sufficient number • Adequate levels of student-faculty interaction • Student advising and counseling • University service activities • Industry interaction • Professional development • Competent to cover all curricular areas of program • Ensure proper guidance of the program, its evaluation and development Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

31. Facilities – Criterion 6 • Must provide opportunities for students to learn use of modern engineering tools • Classrooms, laboratories and equipment must be adequate to: • Accomplish program objectives • Foster faculty-student interaction • Encourage professional development • Computing and information infrastructure must be adequate to support: • Scholarly activities of students and faculty • Educational objectives Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

32. Institutional Support andFinancial Resources – Criterion 7 • Constructive Leadership • Financial Resources • Sufficient to acquire, maintain and operate facilities • Sufficient to attract, retain, and provide for continued professional development of faculty • Technical and Clerical Services Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

33. Program Criteria – Criterion 8 • Each program must satisfy applicable Program Criteria • Curricula topics • Faculty qualifications • Current Program Criteria are on the ABET server on the World Wide Web http://www.abet.org/criteria.html • Must satisfy all Program Criteria implied by title of program Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

34. (PEOS) Program Educational Objectives System (POS) Program Outcomes System Input from Constituencies Program Educational Objectives Assessment of Student Learning Program Outcomes Long Term Short Term Process Perspective for Evaluation & Improvement - The OSU Approach Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

35. Inputs Suggested • Exit Survey of all Graduating Seniors • Monitoring of Professional Exam Results • Monitoring of Student Progress • Survey of alumni (2nd, 6th and 15th) Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

36. Survey Elements for Seniors and Alumni • Educational Outcomes – General – Focus on ABET EC 2000 Criterion and Program Outcomes • Educational Experience – Quality of Instruction at The Ohio State University • Program Specific Questions – Focus on ABET EC2000 Criterion 2 and Program Specific Objectives • Additional Comments and Suggestions • Background/Demographic Information Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

37. Educational Outcomes Summary Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

38. Resource Perspective Educational Experience 1. Students Alumni 4. & 8. Curriculum 6. Facilities 5. Faculty 7. Support Gateway Engineering Education Coalition

39. Engineering Accreditation and ABET EC2000 – Part I Detailed Example for Ohio State Provided in ABET II Gateway Engineering Education Coalition