ABET Discussion


Introduction

The Computer Science Department is now reviewed and accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Part of this process is the development of objectives and outcomes for the department and each course. You might want to view the Departmental objectives and outcomes here before studying those for this course.

At the end of this course, you will be asked to evaluate how well this course accomplished each of the outcomes that apply.

Outcomes

The desired outcomes for students and the parts of the course related are:
  1. The ability to apply mathematics, science and computer science to solve problems.
    1. The analysis of dynamic systems.
    2. Students must assimilate previous experience and new material to solve specific problems involving process control.
    3. Statistical analysis of scheduling alternatives.
    4. Principles involved in designing and implementing PID control systems.
    5. Methods of interfacing hardware components.
    6. The design of embedded and real-time software.
  2. The ability to identify, formulate and solve complex problems.
    1. Exposure to the latest methods in the design and development of real-time and embedded software.
    2. Use of computing to solve problems.
    3. Student must identify critical issues in system design and implement solutions.
    4. The design and implementation of real-time software.
  3. The ability to design and conduct experiments and to analyze and interpret the results.
    1. Develop and test software to control real-time processes, compare to desired constraints and modify.
    2. Use of latest technology tools and processes are required to implement the laboratory assignments.
    3. The development of systems that use feedback-control systems to achieve control objectives.
  4. The ability to design, implement and evaluate systems, components and processes to meet specific requirements.
    1. Analyze constrained real-time systems and develop system design solutions.
    2. Develop and test software to control real-time processes, compare to desired constraints and modify.
    3. Use of latest technology tools and processes are required to implement the laboratory assignments.
  5. The ability to function and contribute in a team environment.
    1. Students will work in teams of 2-4 on laboratory assignments and projects.
    2. In-class activities requiring team effort to solve problems.
  6. The ability to communicate effectively.
    1. Write-ups of assignments and projects.
    2. Work in teams with assessed performance.
  7. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities.
    1. Students must work in teams in a collaborative manner with an honor system to insure equitable distribution of work.
    2. Component on the impact of catstrophic failures and the responsibilities of system designers.
  8. A knowledge of contemporary issues in computer science. related to real-time and embedded systems.
    1. Components on the choices available to engineers and computer scientists in designing and developing embedded systems.
    2. Component on the results of poor design and implementation and potential costs of errors.
  9. Prepared to engage in life-long learning.
    1. Emphasize the skills necessary to find and employ outside materials to solve problems.

Assessment

As a student in this course, you will provide an assessment of how well the course meets its goals through the following methods.

  1. At the beginning of the course, your knowledge of course topical prerequisites will be assessed by test or questionnaire
  2. Students will complete teaching evaluations at the end of the course
  3. At the end of the course, students will be asked to evaluate how well the learning objectives of the course were achieved.
  4. Student learning will be assessed by the instructor through tests, projects and homework.