ABET Self-Study Report for the Mechanical Engineering Program at The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO 30 June, 2011 CONFIDENTIAL The information supplied in this Self-Study Report is for the confidential use of ABET and its authorized agents, and will not be disclosed without authorization of the institution concerned, except for summary data not identifiable to a specific institution. BACKGROUND INFORMATION A. Contact Information James Stevens, MAE Department, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO, 80918, (719) 255-3581, (719) 255-3042, [email protected] B. Program History The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (ME) degree program at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is offered by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) which is a unit in the College of Engineering and Applied Science (EAS). This program was originally proposed in May of 1997 and adopted in January of 1999 with the establishment of the MAE Department. The last general review took place in 2005, with subsequent visits in 2007 and 2009. The Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes were reformulated following the last general review and an appropriate process of continuous assessment has been put in place and followed since that time. C. Options There are no options or tracks within the BSME degree program. D. Organizational Structure The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department administers the BS in Mechanical Engineering, as well as minors in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Ph.D. degree with an emphasis in Mechanical Engineering. The department chair serves as a coordinator, point-of-contact, and representative of the MAE Faculty. The department is located in the College of Engineering and Applied Science which is administered by the Dean of the college. The Dean reports to the Provost who reports to the Chancellor. 2 E. Program Delivery Modes The Mechanical Engineering program is delivered in day and evening classes during fall, spring, and summer semesters. The classes are virtually all traditional lecture/laboratory classes. A single web-based Thermodynamics course has been offered during summer semester on two occasions in the past, and introductory freshman classes are regularly offered as interim (week-long, between semester) classes. F. Program Locations All portions of the Mechanical Engineering program are offered at the UCCS campus. G. Deficiencies, Weaknesses or Concerns from Previous Evaluation(s) and the Actions Taken to Address Them There were no remaining deficiencies, weaknesses or concerns from the most recent ABET Final Statement (2009 visit). H. Joint Accreditation The program is not jointly accredited and is not seeking joint accreditation. 3 GENERAL CRITERIA CRITERION 1. STUDENTS A. Student Admissions The following are the admission standards for the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Admission to the program is the first step in assuring quality graduates. Entering freshmen must satisfy the following requirements: 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics, 3 units of natural science including physics and chemistry, 2 units of social science, 2 units of a foreign language, and 1 unit of electives ranking in the upper 30th percentile of their high school graduating class composite ACT score of 25 or above or composite SAT score of 1120 or above Students not meeting the above requirements are considered on a case by case basis. Students who have deficiencies in their background can be admitted to the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences as Pre-Engineering students. This program is specifically designed for students with math and/or science deficiencies. After completing the appropriate background courses students may initiate a request for acceptance into their selected major. B. Evaluating Student Performance Evaluation of student performance in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is carried out at two distinct levels. The first level involves the standard performance measures used in each of the courses in the curriculum (homework, quizzes, exams, projects, presentations, etc.) and the letter grades earned in each course. This level of evaluation is primarily used to measure and monitor student proficiency on a course-by-course basis. The second level of student evaluation in the department involves the formal outcomes-based evaluation and assessment process. The formal feedback-oriented evaluation and assessment processes that have been developed within the department to allow continuous monitoring of the undergraduate program are described in more detail in section 4. This assessment process includes faculty evaluation of student performance through the various forms of student evaluation as well as a review of outcomes connected to each course. Student progress is monitored via required group advising sessions held prior to registration each semester and through optional meetings with assigned advisors. Mandatory group advising sessions are held for all students in the major where curricular and program information is disseminated and students present a proposed schedule for a quick review by a faculty member and have an opportunity to ask any individual questions. All students are assigned an individual faculty advisor with whom they can meet for more individual or in-depth questions about the curriculum, academic advice, or career advice. The chair of the curriculum committee and the engineering advisor maintain an updated list of student assignments and communicate these in response to student inquiries. 4 C. Transfer Students and Transfer Courses Transfer students are considered for admission if they meet the freshman admission criteria, and are in good standing with the school from which they are transferring. Each transfer application to EAS is decided on a case by case basis. The College policy for transfer credit is as follows: “After a prospective transfer student has made application and submitted transcripts to UCCS, the Office of Admissions and Records issues a computer- generated student transfer credit evaluation, listing those courses that are acceptable by University standards for transfer. Once a student receives the transfer evaluations, an appointment should be made with the engineering advisor to conduct an evaluation of the transfer credits as applicable to a degree in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.” Issues related to engineering course content are referred to the MAE faculty for a final decision. Transfer credit from engineering technology programs is not accepted unless evidence is provided showing complete equivalence to the corresponding course in the mechanical engineering program. Petitions for credit or requirement waiver are handled by the department chair on a case-by-case basis. D. Advising and Career Guidance Students entering the ME program are initially advised by the College engineering advisor. All entering freshman are required to attend a one-day orientation session in the spring or summer before entering. This orientation session includes mathematics placement tests as necessary, and the students are advised in accordance with the outcome of this test and the major they wish to pursue in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Transfer students attend a half day orientation session prior to the semester they enter the program. At the orientation session, the students not only meet the engineering advisor but are also introduced to faculty from the college who volunteer to participate in the orientation sessions. An additional College of Engineering and Applied Science orientation is held in the fall. Following formal admission to the ME program, each student is assigned a full-time faculty member from the MAE department to serve as an advisor. This advisor interacts with students as needed to give advice on curricular and career matters, and to monitor students’ progress. All ME students must be advised every semester before they are allowed to register for classes. This requirement allows the students to meet with a faculty member who will help them understand the different areas in mechanical engineering and select classes accordingly. Two group advising sessions are held each semester prior to the opening of class enrollment. The group advising structure allows information to be communicated to all students uniformly and efficiently. During the group advising sessions, students will meet with, and receive advice and enrollment approval from a full-time faculty member who may or may not be their assigned advisor. Assigned advisors are available throughout the semester for consultation on course selection or other professional issues. E. Work in Lieu of Courses There is no credit provided for work in lieu of courses for military experience, life experience, etc. Advanced Placement courses are handled as transfer courses. F. Graduation Requirements 5 In addition to the continuous monitoring built into the semester-by-semester advising process, all students meet with the engineering advisor for a pre-graduation check during their second-to-last semester. Then, the engineering advisor performs a final graduation check following each student’s last semester. If there are any deficiencies, the student must make them up before graduating. All graduating students must have both an overall grade point average of 2.0 and an average grade point