Engineering Program. Relevance

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1 Engineering Program Mission Relevance 1. The Mission of the Engineering Program is to meet the needs of students interested in majoring in either Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. In particular it is expected that students completing the Engineering Degree will transfer to a 4-year institution. a. The Program provides a solid 2-year coverage of the requisite Engineering Courses b. The Program is supported by consistent offerings in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, all of which are prerequisites for Engineering Courses c. Levels of rigor and course outlines of record for all Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry classes are based upon a continuing review process. Guidelines for course topics and the need for hands-on laboratory experiments are set by the respective societies as well as feedback from 4-year institutions. Achievement Outcomes a. Demonstrate preparation for upper division Engineering courses at the appropriate institution. In particular, students should demonstrate a complete understanding of concepts of the scientific method related to Engineering, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. b. Perform hands-on laboratory and/or field experiments of all Engineering classes safely. c. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic Principles of Engineering with 80% accuracy, including the experimental and empirical methodologies characteristic of engineering and the modern methods and tools used in engineering analysis. d. Demonstrate an ability to identify the difference between engineering and other fields of knowledge, and the relationship between engineering and science. Perform a critical analysis of a topic in order to determine the proper structure, materials, design or the cause of failure. Analysis: These outcomes have been analyzed and found to be consistent with related degrees at other institutions. Catalogue Description: The catalogue description was analyzed and found to be reasonable in terms of transferability and career applicability. Requirements: The Requirements for the Engineering Degree Program are as follows: The rigid structure of these course offerings is required by all transfer institutions.

2 Student Demand Data Appropriateness This is a new program. As of spring 2009, 13 students have completed ENGR C110 and 16 are currently enrolled in ENGR C120. Enrollments in PHYS C111 are at record levels as students need Physics to complete the Engineering Degree (source: Cerro Coso College Enrollment). According to Project Lead the Way, there are approximately 90 students at Burroughs High School interested in an Engineering Degree. Similar Programs The Engineering Program was found to be similar to the Pre-Engineering Program. Therefore, the Pre-Engineering Program is being modified into the Engineering Program. Course Outlines of Record All of the Math, Chemistry and Engineering Course outlines of record are less than 2 years old. The Physics Course outlines of records are currently undergoing a review cycle, Physics C111 and Physics C211 CORs have been updated in the fall of 2008 and Physics C113 will be updated in the spring of 2009 Transfer Documentation Most, if not all, of the courses offered in the Engineering degree are accepted for transfer within the UC and CSU system (source assist.org) as well as other Universities throughout the US (source: students who transferred out-of-state generally had their coursework transferred) Course Scheduling The Engineering requirements have been included in the long term schedule. A draft long term (attached) schedule was developed and this will ensure that students can obtain an Engineering degree within 2-3 years. Furthermore, the long term schedule will be discussed among the Faculty, Administration, Counseling, Site Directors and Student Representatives. The long term Schedule Science and Engineering IWV will be finalized in spring of Methods of Delivery Some of the classes are taken online. Most laboratory-based courses must be taken on-site. In particular, the professional societies in the fields of Engineering, Physics, and Chemistry (web sites listed below) have very strict guidelines about hands-on laboratory work. Furthermore, transfer institutions will not accept certain courses if the lab component is not hands-on, and certain professional societies are requiring that the course outline reflect whether the labs are less than 80% hands on.. Virtual labs for the great majority of classes in the Engineering discipline are meant to be used as additions and complements to hands-on work, and also must be used only after discussion with discipline area experts. Online versions of some classes and labs may be added, if they meet professional society and transfer institution guidelines for rigor and

3 appropriateness. The following sites are used often by the Science and Engineering Department as guidelines for course offerings. American Chemical Society American Society of Mechanical Engineering Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Society for Mining Metallurgy and Exploration Teaching Methodologies The great majority of classes under the Engineering degree are of the traditional lecture/lab type. These methodologies are set by the respective transfer institutions and the professional societies that govern the specific disciplines. Student Fees None. The most appropriate classes for student fees are the Science and Engineering lab-based classes. Unfortunately, legal counsel has forbidden the collection of student lab fees. Student Performance Data Achievement of Program Learning Outcomes This is a new Program. Student performance data will be gathered in the Spring of 2010, after the first cadre of students have completed two years of Engineering study, and provided an institutional researcher is available. Achievement of Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) Assessment methods for all PLOs were developed within the last 6 months. a) Demonstrate preparation for upper division engineering courses at the appropriate institution. In particular, students should demonstrate a complete understanding of concepts of the engineering. Measured with an exam (standardized if possible) in the capstone class with 70% accuracy, and by informal follow-up survey. b) Perform hands-on laboratory and/or field experiments of all engineering classes safely. Measured by direct observation during laboratory work using a rubric based upon guidelines published by the relevant professional societies. c) Demonstrate an understanding of the basic Principles of Engineering with 80% accuracy, including the experimental and empirical methodologies characteristic of engineering and the modern methods and tools used in engineering analysis. This will be assessed and scored by exams given in all engineering classes. d) Demonstrate an ability to identify the difference between engineering and other fields of knowledge, and the relationship between engineering and science. Perform a critical analysis of a topic in order to determine the proper structure, materials, design or the

4 Data Plan cause of failure. Reports/exams evaluated with a rubric, based upon professional society guidelines. Details for outcome a: Standardized Test: All students completing their last Engineering Course in the series (ENGR C230) will take an appropriate standardized test administered by the American Association of Electrical Engineering. Informal Survey: 70% of all students graduating with a degree in Engineering will be asked to keep in contact with the Science Department Chair and answer a brief survey about the preparation provided by the Engineering Degree 18 months after graduating from Cerro Coso Community College Were you adequately prepared for lecture-based upper division courses? Were you adequately prepared for laboratory-base upper division courses? Do you have any suggestions to help us improve preparation? Details for outcome b: Laboratory Rubric All laboratory courses will be designed to best fit respective professional society guidelines. Where appropriate, students will be observed for proficiency, but not graded, in the following areas: Background Research Problem Assessment Materials Analysis Design Fabrication Details for outcome c: All Engineering classes will have one student learning outcome that indicates demonstration of understanding of Engineering Analysis. All 100 Level Classes will include at least 3 questions on the Final Exam that specifically relate to understanding of Engineering Analysis. A data plan for outcome d will be developed and a data analysis will be performed when a fulltime Institutional Researcher is available at Cerro Coso Community College.

5 Currency Curriculum Currency is decided among the engineering, science and math faculty and based upon discussion with scientific peers, and analysis of guidelines from respective professional societies. Current Staffing and Course Assignments There are between 8-10 adjunct faculty teaching courses in the Science and Math disciplines. There is 1 full time faculty in Chemistry and 4 full time faculty members in mathematics. The physics courses are taught by adjunct faculty. There are 2 adjunct faculty in Engineering, and several adjunct applications are being processed. The college must be diligent in assigning instructors as the current CA State minimum qualifications for Engineering at Community Colleges do not differentiate among Civil, Mechanical, Chemical and Electrical Engineering courses. For example only a faculty member with the requisite degrees in Electrical Engineering is qualified to teach Electric Circuits. Facilities: The Chemistry Laboratory underwent a major rehabilitation in The Chemistry and Physics labs at IWV are at or above the safety standards. However, the labs at IWV are too specialized; for example, the Chemistry Lab is only appropriate for the laboratory portion of Chemistry the Chemistry Lab is not appropriate for any other lab or lecture. The labs need to be modified so that each laboratory can hold a lecture and a lab of each discipline if necessary, especially in light of the development of the engineering program. In late 2009, the Science Laboratory at the IWV Campus will be completely renovated however there is some pressure to reduce the number of laboratories to 2. It is critical that the IWV site maintain 3 working laboratories. There are 5 new Engineering classes (all with labs) being developed at this writing. There is also some discussion about the development of a Bachelor s Degree in Engineering. Equipment The physics lab will is in the process of obtaining completely new equipment, and is about 65% complete. While it is not necessary for the college to commit money for these purchases immediately, the Science Department requests that this equipment need be recognized. The astronomical observatory is very well equipped, albeit with the instructor s private equipment and donations; more equipment has been made available via the educational partnership agreement with NAWC, which as just recently been signed. An obstacle to the ordering of equipment is the definition of equipment and supplies. Several equipment items could not be purchased because they were arbitrarily determined to be supplies and vice versa. However, it must be noted that the current administration is very supportive of equipment and supply requirements for Science courses; some much needed equipment was purchased.

6 The equipment for the Engineering Program will be quite expensive and range in the order of 100s of thousands of dollars. Agreements between Cerro Coso Community College and NAWCWD will help mitigate this cost as some classes can use the lab facilities at NAWCWD. Cost of the Program: Below is the most conservative cost of the program. These costs assume that the classes are lowenrolled and need to be funded by external money to run. Based on the data from Project Lead the Way, the enrollments of the classes will increase dramatically over the next 5 semesters, once word gets around about the program. Cerro Coso Engineering Program Costs, Spring 2009 to Spring 2011 Term Course Course Course Course Course Supplies Total Spring 09 Physics C111 Physics C211 Engineering C120 Calculus III C 251 Cost $8,000 $8,000 $6,000 $4,000 $4,000 $30,000 Fall 09 Physics C113 Engineering C110 Engineering C195 Engineering C210 Linear Algebra C 257 Cost $8,000 $6,000 $4,000 $3,000 $4,000 $4,000 $29,000 Spring 10 Physics C111 Physics C211 Engineering C120 Engineering C230 Calculus III C 251 Cost $8,000 $8,000 $6,000 $6,000 $4,000 $4,000 $36,000 Fall 10 Physics C113 Engineering C110 Engineering C195 Engineering C210 Linear Algebra C 257 Cost $10,000 $6,000 $4,000 $3,000 $5,000 $4,000 $32,000 Spring 11 Physics C113 Physics C211 Engineering C120 Engineering C230 Calculus III C 251 Cost $10,000 $10,000 $7,000 $7,000 $5,000 $5,000 $44,000 $171,000 Future Needs and Plans Program Strengths There is a strong connection with NAWC via an educational partnership agreement. There is also a strong collaboration between Science and other Departments. We are in negotiation with several universities and will expand our 2+2 Bachelor offerings. Improvements Needed The future success of the Engineering Program and the gathering of more in depth and meaningful data rely solely on Cerro Coso Community College s ability to regain an Institutional Researcher position. Five-Year Plan Strategies and Timeline Coordinate with the administration of the hiring of an Institutional Researcher. Hire a new full-time faculty with a degree in Engineering. Continue to negotiate with transfer institutions to provide students with more opportunity for bachelor degrees. Look into a Master s Degree program

7 Continuously consult with the respective professional societies, transfer institutions and scientific peers. Relation of the Five-Year Plan to the College Mission The Science department is in constant communication with employers and administration. The first two items in the 5-year plan are the result of direct input from the college, the high school, local contractors, and NAWCWD.. Strategies for Achieving the Plan The Science Department Chair will be ultimately responsible for the implementation of this plan and the Science and Engineering Department s Annual Unit Plan and for the review of this program and will work closely with faculty, staff and administration. However, an Institutional Researcher position at CCCC is required in order to for the strategy to have any chance of success. Supporting Documents Program course requirements (Attached) Institutional research data on student demand (Need IR) Course outlines of all core courses; representative outlines of elective courses (on G Drive) Spreadsheet of articulation agreements (from Counseling) Institutional research data on student performance(need IR) Institutional research data on current staffing (Need IR) Science and Engineering Annual Unit Plan Science and Engineering Faculty (partial list related to the engineering program): J. Stenger-Smith (IWV) Chemistry I. Lyles (IWV, KRV) Earth Science/Engineering W. Blackburn (IWV) Physics J. Stanford (IWV) Physics J. Rachels (IWV) Mathematics and Engineering

8 S. Ghaleb (IWV) Physics J. Johnson (IWV) Engineering Mathematics Faculty: D. Bernsten R. Winston J. Slovacek Y. Chen Classified Staff: M. Mauldin, Instruction Office Specialist S. Crabtree, Scheduling Technician J. Schramm, Laboratory Manager